Sex-specific gut microbiome dynamics in <i>Labeo catla</i>: links to reproductive hormones, metabolic dimorphism, and environmental factors.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Gut microbiota play a critical role in aquaculture by enhancing nutrient metabolism, digestion, immune response, and reproductive performance in fish. Labeo catla, one of the most commercially important Indian major carps, demands better reproductive management; however, insights into its gut microbiome composition and functional dynamics, particularly during the crucial pre-spawning phase, remain limited.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the structural and functional attributes of gut microbial communities in male and female L. catla reared in ICAR-CIFA ponds using high-throughput Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene sequencing and examined their associations with reproductive traits.

Results and discussion

Histological analysis confirmed act

SUBMITTER: Sundaray JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12657359 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature