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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287819
Title: Genetic variation in feed consumption, growth, nutrient utilization efficiency and mitochondrial function within a farmed population of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Author
item EYA, JONATHAN - West Virginia State University
item ASHAME, MARTHA - West Virginia State University
item POMEROY, CHARLES - West Virginia State University
item MANNING, BRUCE - Mississippi State University
item Peterson, Brian

Submitted to: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2012
Publication Date: 6/1/2013
Citation: Eya, J.C., Ashame, M.F., Pomeroy, C.F., Manning, B.B., Peterson, B.C. 2013. Genetic variation in feed consumption, growth, nutrient utilization efficiency and mitochondrial function within a farmed population of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 163(2):211-220.

Interpretive Summary: We evaluated the effects of diets (32/4 or 36/6 percent protein/fat) and six channel catfish families for growth performance characteristics. Two families with fast- (C) and slow- (D) growth rate and with low and high feed efficiency (FE) were selected for analyses of mitochondrial complex enzymatic activities (I, II, III, and IV). Mitochondrial enzymatic complex activities (I-IV) in the in liver, muscle, and intestine were all lower in family C. There were significant differences between diets for some mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities. Significant diet x family interactions were observed for some enzyme activities. Changes in mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities provide insight into the cellular mechanisms of fish with differences in growth rate and feed efficiency. Results also suggest that genotype x diet interactions should be accounted for when considering strategies for using mitochondrial function as a criteria in channel catfish selection programs for improved growth performance characteristics.

Technical Abstract: We evaluated the effects of diets (32/4 or 36/6 percent protein/fat) and six channel catfish families for growth performance characteristics. Two families with fast- (C) and slow- (D) growth rate and with low and high feed efficiency (FE) were selected for analyses of mitochondrial complex enzymatic activities (I, II, III, and IV) and gene expression (ND1, CYTB, COX1, COX2, ATP6) levels in liver, muscle, and intestine. There were significant differences in growth rate and nutrient retention among the families. Mitochondrial enzymatic complex activities (I-IV) in the tissues were all lower in family C. Four of the five genes were down-regulated in the liver and up-regulated in the muscle for the fast growing family C. There were significant differences between diets for some mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities and gene expression levels. Significant diet x family interactions were observed for some enzyme activities and gene expression levels. Changes in mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities and gene expression levels provide insight into the cellular mechanisms of fish with differences in growth rate and feed efficiency. Results also suggest that genotype x diet interactions should be accounted for when considering strategies for using mitochondrial function as a criteria in channel catfish selection programs for improved growth performance characteristics.