Annual/Termination Reports:

[04/01/2008] [05/03/2012]

Report Information

Participants

Guthrie, Richard (guthrrl@auburn.edu)- Auburn University;
Jensen,Gary (gjensen@usda.csrees.gov)- USDA-CSREES;
Dunham,Rex (dunhara@auburn.edu) Auburn University;
Tiersch,Terry (ttiersch@agctr.lsu.edu)- Louisiana State University;
Green, Chris (ccgree@gmail.com)-Louisiana State University;
Simco,Bill (bsimco@memphis.edu)- University of Memphis;
Davis,Ken (kbdavis@msa-stoneville.ars.usda.gov)- USDA-ARS- Mississippi;
Bosworth,Brian (bbosworth@ars.usda.gov)- USDA-ARS-Mississipi;
Zohar,Yoni (zohar@comb.umbi.umd.edu)- University of Maryland;
Wang,Hanping (wang900@ag.osu.edu)- Ohio State University;
Chatakondi,Nagaraj (nchatakondi@hughes.net)- Eagle Aquaculture;
Yant,Roger (yant@tecinfo.com)- Hybrid Catfish Fingerling Company;
Baxter,Jeff Baxter Land Company

Brief Summary of Minutes

The formal meeting was preceded by a 6 hour symposium on various aspects of hybrid catfish production attended throughout the day by approximately 100 individuals. At the formal meeting Drs. Guthrie, Jensen and Dunham gave a summary on how Multistate Projects are organized and function. Funding opportunities were discussed including potential mechanisms on how members of the group might pursue funding in the future. The state of the hybrid catfish industry and its needs were examined. The role of each participant was discussed in regards to each individual objective. An invitation was extended to expand participation of USDA-ARS and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. During 2008, emphasis will be placed on objectives 1, 3,4,5,6, 7, 11 and 13. An especially important need for 2008 is objective 11, development of pond seining/grading technology specific for hybrid catfish to prevent gilling.

Accomplishments

Short- term outcomes- Despite severe economic conditions in the catfish industry, 20-30 new farmers have adopted the hybrid catfish technology. Additionally, one farm has adopted the new seining/grading technology that has been developed for hybrids.<br /> Outputs- 3 publications<br /> Activities- The activities planned for 2008 include an evaluation of seasonal feeding of improved diets, and an evaluation of a high fish oil diet on reproductive performance, a comparison of early, peak and late spawning lines of channel catfish for hybrid embryo production at varying temperature regimes, an evaluation of elevated oxygen levels on egg hatching, a comparison of embryo production from females conditioned in deep and shallow ponds, an evaluation of LHRH implants manufactured with alternative technology, an evaluation of pheromone response in channel catfish and blue catfish, an evaluation of in pond seining/grading technology specific for hybrid catfish to prevent gilling, and evaluation of gene constructs to prevent gamete formation in catfish.<br /> Milestones for 2007-2008: Milestones 1 and 7 have been achieved to date.<br /> (2007): 1) Collect brood stock in 2007 to identify early, peak and late spawning lines of channel catfish in 2007. 2)Develop extrusion process for LHRHa implants and determine release rates in 2007 to allow evaluation of implants in 2007.3)Determine response to selection and realized h2, for fecundity, hatch and hybrid fry/kg based on individual selection in 2007 to determine selection protocol for 2008,4)Compare various forms of LHRH implants to address INAD concerns and reduce implant costs in 2007 to have final spawning protocol in 2011, 5)Develop extended refrigerated storage and cryopreservation of sperm in 2007 to have final spawning protocol in 2011,6) Develop and identify early, peak and late spawning lines of channel catfish in 2007 to lengthen the short spawning season for hybrids by 2011 7) Evaluate morphological changes of oocytes during oocyte maturation in female catfish and relate this to fertilization, development and hatch in 2007 to determine key developmental stages for study in 2008. 8) Evaluate current pond graders for effectiveness for hybrids in 2007 to determine design changes for 2008. <br /> <br /> (2008): 9) Construct altered grader in 2008 to evaluate pond seining/grading technology specific for hybrid catfish to prevent gilling in 2009. 10)Enhance fatty acids diets evaluated by 2008 to have final spawning protocol in 2011. 11) Determine the relative importance of stocking density of channel catfish females for hybrid embryo production- should density be based on surface acreage or volume?: in 2008 to have final spawning protocol in 2011. 12) Evaluate hybrid embryo production via pheromonal manipulation of channel catfish males and blue catfish males for improved ovulation, spermiation, egg quality, hatch and fry production in 2008 to have final spawning protocol in 2011<br />

Publications

Umali, G.M. 2007. The economic significance of aquatic biotechnology in the production of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) female<br /> x blue catfish (I. furcatus) male hybrid (cb hybrid) embryo. Doctoral dissertation. Auburn University, AL.<br /> <br /> Dunham, R. A., G. M. Umali, R. Beam, A. H. Kristanto, and M. Trask. 2008. Comparison of production traits of the NWAC103 channel catfish, NWAC103 channel X blue hybrid catfish, Kansas select 21 channel catfish and blue catfish grown at commercial densities and exposed to natural bacterial epizootics. N. Amer. J. Aquacult. 70:98-106<br /> <br /> Quintero H.E., A. Hutson, A. Chaimongkol, D.A. Davis, A. Abebe, and R. Dunham. 2008. Effects of varying dietary protein levels and feeding frequencies on condition and reproductive performance of channel catfish to produce hybrid catfish. J. World Aqua. Soc. in press.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

Impact Statements

1. 25 new farmers adopted the hybrid technology
2. One farmer adopted the hybrid seining/grading technology
3. grant obtained-Critical issues for sustaining channel-blue hybrid catfish embryo production: a three year plan. 2007-2008. AAES-ALA. $112.000. R. A. Dunham, J. Chappell, A. Davis, and R. Broughton.
4. grant obtainedDetermination of Least Cost High Potency Brood Stock Diet for Female Brood Fish Utilized for Artificial Fertilization. SRAC. $57,000 Dunham and Davis
5. grant obtained-Steroid Analysis to Determine Effects of Brood Stock Preparation in Fish and to Pre-select Male Fish with High Sperm Production. SRAC. $31,000. Zimba and Dunham

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Report Information

Participants

Participants in Annual Meeting:
Dunham, Rex Chair dunhara@auburn.edu Auburn University
Chatakondi, Nagaraj Nagaraj.Chatakondi@ars.usda.gov USDA/ARS/Stoneville
Jensen, Gary GJENSEN@csrees.usda.gov USDA/CSREES
Wise, David DWise@drec.msstate.edu Mississippi State University
Allen, Peter pallen@cfr.msstate.edu; Mississippi State University

Project Membership
Dunham,Rex Chair dunhara@auburn.edu Auburn University
Allen, Peter pallen@cfr.msstate.edu Mississippi State University
Bosworth,Brian bbosworth@msa-stoneville.ars.usda.go USDA/ARS/Stoneville
Broughton, Royall brougrm@auburn.edu Auburn University
Chatakondi, Nagaraj Nagaraj.Chatakondi@ars.usda.gov USDA/ARS/Stoneville
Davis, Allen davisda@auburn.edu Auburn University
Davis, Ken kbdavis@msa-stoneville.ars.usda.gov USDA/ARS/Stoneville
Dunham, Earl dunha002@umn.ed University of Minnesota
Greenway,Terry greenway@drec.msstate.edu Mississippi State University
Griffin, Matthew J griffin@cvm.msstate.edu Mississippi State University
Heikes, David dheikes@uaex.edu University of Arkansas- Pine Bluff
Jensen, Gary GJENSEN@csrees.usda.gov USDA/CSREES
Kelly, Anita akelly@uaex.edu University of Arkansas- Pine Bluff
Mauel, Michael J mauel@cvm.msstate.edu Mississippi State University
Phelps, Ron rpphelps@acesag.auburn.edu Auburn University
Simco, Bill bsimco@memphis.edu University of Memphis
Torrans, Les les.torrans@ars.usda.gov USDA/ARS/Stoneville
Tucker, Craig CTucker@drec.msstate.edu, Mississippi State University
Wise, David DWise@drec.msstate.edu Mississippi State University
Zohar, Yonathan zohar@umbi.umd.ed University of Maryland

Brief Summary of Minutes

The state of the catfish industry was discussed, and the increasing role of hybrid catfish in the industry. The growth of adoption of hybrid culture and processing was discussed. The membership expressed a desire to continue the project for another 5 years. Potential objectives and research problems identified included developing farm plans and staggered stocking to allow year round supplies of single batch hybrids, optimizing hatching conditions, improving egg quality, nutrition for brood stock and food fish hybrids, genetic improvement of hybrids, hormone induced maturation, optimizing fingerling production systems and thermal stress tolerance to guide genotype selection of hybrids with the advent of global warming.

Accomplishments

1. Improve hybrid embryo production by determining the best nutritional regime to maximize fecundity and hatch rate from induced channel catfish females and blue catfish males- Lipids and fatty acids have been reported to play a major role in brood stock nutrition and influence the quality of developing eggs. Pond trials conducted showed that catfish oil incorporated as a dietary lipid supplement improved the oocyte fatty acid profile and subsequent reproductive performance of channel catfish. At 5% catfish oil supplementation to the brood fish diet, a higher percent of catfish females attained a threshold level of maturity suitable for hormone induced spawning, ovulating response, fecundity and hybrid embryo production. <br /> 2. Conduct family selection for fecundity, hatch rate of hybrid embryos and hybrid fry produced/kg for channel catfish females that were hormone induced and hand stripped- Second generation channel catfish females selected for increased hybrid fry production when hand stripped of their eggs were spawned and data collected on fecundity, hatching rate and fry produced per kg of female body weight. Currently, data is being analyzed.<br /> 3. Lengthen the short spawning season for hybrids by developing and identifying early, peak and late spawning lines of channel catfish. Peak and late spawning lines were spawned at cold temperatures. Data is being analyzed. This experiment may have been compromised by the unusual early warming of air and water temperatures.<br /> 4. Determine the relative importance of stocking density of channel catfish females for hybrid embryo production- should density be based on surface acreage or volume? No experimentation was conducted on this project during 2011. Although previously identified as a priority by farmers, a committee partially composed of catfish farmers rejected funding a project to address this objective.<br /> 5. Compare various forms of LHRH implants to address INAD concerns and reduce implant costs- Synchronizing ovulation of channel catfish females and subsequent production of good quality eggs has been a major obstacle in producing commercial quantities of channel X blue F1 hybrid fry. Carbopol and cholesterol implants sustained release of LHRHa, synchronized maturation and improved ovulation of channel catfish compared to LHRHa suspension. Improved maturation of ovulated eggs also resulted in higher hatching success of hybrid embryos. Future studies will address the endocrinological response of implants on egg quality. <br /> Cellulose acetate based LHRHa implants were highly effective resulting in approximately 90% ovulation, while saline, sham implanted controls failed to ovulate. Toxicity studies were also conducted, and the data is currently being analyzed.<br /> 6. Determine the ideal temperature for ovulation hybrid embryo hatching in best late, peak and early spawning strains. This objective was not addressed during 2011.<br /> 7. Improve hybrid embryo production via pheromonal manipulation of channel catfish males and blue catfish males for improved ovulation, spermiation, egg quality, hatch and fry production- Catfish spawning rituals for channel x channel, blue x blue and channel x blue when hormone stimulated to spawn naturally in aquaria were compared. Pairs of fish were continuously videotaped for more than 48 h and the tapes reviewed for specific types of behavior. Similar behavior patterns were observed with all crosses. No unique behaviors were observed that were specific to channel x channel or blue x blue pairs. Spawning success was ch x ch, 75%. bl x bl, 40%, and 61.5% for ch x bl in 2010 but were 52.5%, 23.1% and 18.5% in 2011. Egg yields were 6,850, 2,910 and 5,444 eggs/kg female for the respective crosses in 2011 and 8,155, 10,122, and 3000/kg in 2011. <br /> 8. Develop extended refrigerated storage and cryopreservation of sperm.This objective was not addressed during 2011.<br /> 9. Evaluate morphological changes of oocytes during oocyte maturation in female catfish and relate this to fertilization, development and hatch- This objective was not addressed during 2011.<br /> 10. Conduct recurrent family selection for growth, feed conversion, disease resistance, oxygen tolerance , harvestability and carcass traits of hybrid catfish- Hybrids resulting from recurrent selection have been produced, and are now being evaluated. <br /> 11. Develop in pond seining/grading technology specific for hybrid catfish to prevent gilling- This objective was not addressed during 2011.<br /> 12. Develop technology to ejaculate blue catfish- This objective was not addressed during 2011.<br /> 13. Conduct gene transfer to improve growth, feed conversion, disease resistance and body composition and transgenic sterilization of hybrid catfish- Channel catfish and blue catfish cell cultures were established from testes of fingerlings.Tentative classification of the cell types was made. Cell counting procedures were established and improved. Fuller's earth and bromelain (pineapple enzyme) were compared for their ability to prevent adhesiveness of the eggs prior to introduction into the pressure chamber. Bromelain was used shortly post fertilization to fragment the egg mass and separate the eggs, while the Fuller's earth was used concurrently with the activation step of dry fertilization. Both de-adhesion techniques showed promise, and hatch rates were encouraging. The Bromelain was successful at fragmenting a large egg mass into smaller clumps. However, separation into individual eggs was difficult. Also, Bromelain if not used correctly will cause the eggs to totally digest due to the proteolytic nature of the enzyme. Fuller's earth was easier to use and more effective in individual egg separation. It was also safer as dosage does not need to precise, and accidentally over treating the eggs will not lead to mortality. Additionally, handing stress is reduced as de-adhesion, fertilization, and activation is done in one step. Fresh, cultured and cryopreserved putative stem cells from blue catfish were introduced to triploid channel catfish via microinjection and electroporation. Techniques were developed for mass injection of embryos while allowing for high survival rates, and several hundreds of putative xenogenic embryos were produced. Several normal triploid channel catfish males were mated with diploid channel catfish females. Despite being small these males exhibited normal courtship, and were able to induce the females to ovulate and deposit eggs.<br /> <br /> Gene constructs coding for shRNAi to disrupt primordial germ cell mighration were introduced into channel catfish. Preliminary results indicate that this approach is effective in sterilizing the catfish.<br /> <br /> During the coming year objectives 1,2,3,5, 10 and 13 will be addressed. Milestones 1 nutrition, 5 effective LHRHa implants and 13 transgenic sterilization have been achieved, but can be improved further. Resources are not available for objectives 4 and 6. Milestone 7 was addressed in an earlier year, and pheromones were identified that attract male blue catfish to channel catfish females, and that appeared to enhance ovulation. Researchers addressing this area are retiring, and this objective/milestone should be addressed in a follow on project. Milestone 8 has been achieved, and efficient refrigeration and cryopreservation of blue catfish sperm is achievable. Milestone 9 has been achieved and oocyte maturation can be effectively determined, but is not commercially practical because of the slowness in the evaluation technique. Milestone 11 has been achieved, and extremely effective harvesting technology for hybrids is now possible and is being implemented in the catfish industry. No positive results have been obtained for objective 12.

Publications

Arguello, R. 2011. Satiation feed consumption as an inventory tool to assess biomass of channel X blue hybrid catfish in earthen ponds. Master's of Science thesis, Auburn University.<br /> <br /> Arguello, R. and Phelps, R.P. 2011. Satiation feed consumption by hybrid catfish as a function of body weight and water temperature. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), World Aquaculture Society Meeting, New Orleans LA. <br /> <br /> Chatakondi,N.G., R. D. Yant, A. Kristanto, G. M. Umali-Maceina and R. A. Dunham. 2011. The effect of LHRHa (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog) regime and stage of gonadal maturity for induced ovulation of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus.Journal of the World Aquaculture Society.42: 845-853<br /> <br /> Duncan, J. and Phelps, R.P. 2011. Spawning characteristics of blue, channel, and channel x blue catfish when hormone-induced and allowed to spawn naturally. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract), World Aquaculture Society Meeting, New Orleans LA. <br />

Impact Statements

1. When this project was initiated, hybrid fry production was approximately 16 million per year, and hybrid catfish were met with some reluctance by the catfish industry. Four years later in 2011, hybrid fry production stood at about 110 million per year as a result of the research performed under the auspices of S-1031:Improvement and Sustainability of Channel-Blue Hybrid Catfish Embryo Production and Performance.
2. Demand for hybrids exceeds supply and processors were preferentially dressing hybrid catfish and food fish production of hybrids accounted for 20-25% of the total catfish processed.
3. Farmer profits have increased, and some farmers are even putting money back into research.
4. The advancements in hybrid catfish technology have had a major role in saving the catfish industry.

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