Age-related reproductive performance and transcriptome profiling of testis in male blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus.

ABSTRACT: Catfish farming is the largest aquaculture industry in the U.S., where hybrid catfish produced by channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus ♀ × blue catfish, I. furcatus ♂, represent > 50% of the harvest. Previous studies indicated a high degree of variation in reproductive performance among individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a connection between paternal age and reproductive success. This study investigated the reproduction of 103 blue catfish males aged 2 to 10 years. Morphometric data were collected, and blood was drawn to quantify testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), osmolality, and ions. Histological images of the testis assessed stages of spermatogenesis, and sperm were activated for kinematic analysis. The testis transcriptome was profiled across distinct ages,

SUBMITTER: Liyanage SSN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12465291 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature