biostudies-literatureLiyanage SSNAgriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive GrantUSDA ARS and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch projectUSDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture817https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12465291biostudies-literatureUnknown26(1)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, BMC genomicsAge-related reproductive performance and transcriptome profiling of testis in male blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus.PMC124652912020-67015-318742023-67016-394551013854 (IAEB)Martin KABeck BHSankappa NMWood KRLiyanage SSNAbernathy JWBruce TJLitvak MKRoy LAButts IAEBosworth BGWang XNowicki AEDunham RAfalseAge-related reproductive performance and transcriptome profiling of testis in male blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus.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, 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T21:43:11.647Z2026-05-02T03:08:34.704ZS-EPMC124652914101320110.1186/s12864-025-12014-w