ARS | Publication request: Reductions in Susceptibility of Channel Catfish (Ictalutus punctatus) to Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) Through Two Generations of Selection

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 22, 2007
Publication Date: September 1, 2007
Citation: Bourgeois, A.L., Bosworth, B.G., Wolters, W.R. 2007. Reductions in Susceptibility of Channel Catfish (Ictalutus punctatus) to Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) Through Two Generations of Selection. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 38:450-453.

Interpretive Summary: Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) is the most prevalent disease affecting commercial catfish operations. At the USDA-ARS Catfish Genetics Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, a multitrait selection index was utilized to select for growth, carcass yield, and resistance to enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) in channel catfish. After two generations of selection, families of NWAC103 (parental strain) and USDA303 (selected line) channel catfish were compared for ESC susceptibility by experimental challenge. USDA303 catfish had a lower incidence of mortality than NWAC103 catfish. A greater proportion of the NWAC103 families had over 50% mortality than the USDA303 families. After two generations of selection, we have shown a 10.3% improvement in resistance to ESC. The evidence presented here suggests that resistance to ESC is heritable and improvements in ESC survivorship in the pond environment may be likely.

Technical Abstract: Improvement of disease resistance in aquaculture species through selective breeding has had some success. At the USDA-ARS Catfish Genetics Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, a multitrait selection index was utilized to select for growth, carcass yield, and resistance to enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). After two generations of selection, 62 families of USDA303 were compared to 29 families from the unselected parent strain (NWAC103) for ESC susceptibility by experimental challenge. USDA303 catfish had a lower incidence (39.9%; P = 0.02) of mortality than NWAC103 catfish (50.2%). A greater proportion (51.7%) of the NWAC103 families had over 50% mortality than the USDA303 families (25.8%). After two generations of selection, we have shown a 10.3% improvement in resistance to ESC. The evidence presented here suggests that resistance to ESC is heritable and improvements in ESC survivorship in the pond environment may be possible.