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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #435610
Research Project: Genetic Improvement of the Eastern Oyster for Aquaculture Production

Location: National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center

Title: Linking gene expression to sperm quality and cryotolerance in eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

Author
item NOWICKI, ALEXANDRA - Auburn University
item RICKARD, SCOTT - Auburn University
item TARNECKI, ANDREA - Auburn University
item BUTTS, IAN - Auburn University

Submitted to: Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2026
Publication Date: 4/15/2026
Citation: Nowicki, A.E., Rickard, S., Tarnecki, A.M., Butts, I.A. 2026. Linking gene expression to sperm quality and cryotolerance in eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Aquaculture. 622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.744018.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.744018

Interpretive Summary: This research addresses significant problem in oyster aquaculture: limited, high quality gametes for hatchery production. Previous work has shown that sperm collected from individual oysters varies with respect to quality and resistance to cryoinjury. To better understand the underlying basis for the variation, coding and non-coding RNA profiles in fresh and cryopreserved sperm characterized as either low or high quality/cryotolerance. Our findings reveal critical RNAs for regulating sperm quality and provide the groundwork for precision breeding and sustainable aquaculture.

Technical Abstract: Access to high-quality gametes remains a constraint in eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) aquaculture. Germplasm cryopreservation offers a solution as it ensures access to gametes. However, for oysters there is high degree of individual variability in sperm quality and resistance to cryoinjury. Bioinformatic assessment is an emerging tool that can be used to understand and optimize gamete quality. Coding and non-coding RNAs provide an understanding of molecular mechanisms and genetic regulation involved in sperm development and function. Our objectives were to investigate how miRNA and mRNA profiles relate to fresh and frozen-thawed sperm quality, based on percent motility and swimming velocity. We hypothesized that non-coding miRNAs regulate mRNA transcription related to oyster sperm function. Sperm from 20 oysters were evaluated using Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis software before and after cryo-storage. Males were ranked for quality and cryotolerance based on fresh and recovered post-thaw kinematics. An integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA transcription was conducted for six oysters with low-quality vs. high-quality fresh sperm (n = 12) and six oysters with low cryotolerant vs. high-cryotolerant sperm (n = 12). Differential expression and enrichment analysis for both groups highlighted cilium, actin binding, chromosome segregation, the microtubule cytoskeleton, ATP activity, and DNA integrity, all of which are critical for maintaining cellular structure and function. Regulatory interactions between miRNA and mRNA were also assessed, and 140 potential interactions identified. Our findings reveal RNAs that have critical roles in the regulation of oyster sperm performance. A functional understanding of these RNAs can provide the groundwork for precision breeding and more sustainable, profitable aquaculture.