Location: Stoneville, Mississippi
Project Number: 6066-10600-003-013-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2025
End Date: Jul 31, 2027
Objective:
The cooperator will:
1. Determine effects of fish age, gene expression, hormone levels, and environment on male blue catfish testes development and sperm quality.
2. Determine effects of fish age, gene expression, hormone levels, and environment on female channel catfish ovary development and egg quality.
Approach:
Production of hybrid catfish (female channel catfish x male blue catfish) accounts for about 60% of annual U.S. catfish production due to the hybrid’s superior growth, carcass yield and survival. However, hybrid catfish fry production requires ‘manual spawning’ which results in about 35% fertility compared to 75% fertility in natural spawning of purebred species. Improvements in blue catfish sperm quantity and quality and channel catfish egg quality will improve hybrid production efficiency and benefit U.S. catfish farmers.
The reproductive cycle in catfish is influenced by fish age, levels of hormones associated with gonad development, expression of genes associated with maturation, and the environment (diet, water quality, and fish density). Effects of age and environment on channel catfish egg quality and blue catfish sperm quantity/quality will be evaluated, and results used to provide management protocols for U.S. catfish farmers to enhance hybrid production. Hormone levels and gene expression data will be analyzed to identify associations between these biomarkers and channel catfish egg quality and blue catfish sperm quantity/quality. Identification of biomarkers associated with improved reproduction will allow identification of fish with superior reproductive potential to be used for hybrid production. Improving efficiency of hybrid catfish production is critical to U.S. producers competing in the global seafood market and reducing the U.S. seafood trade deficit.