Comparison of growth performance among channel-blue hybrid catfish, ccGH transgenic channel catfish, and channel catfish in a tank culture system

Abstract

Fish is an essential source of high-quality protein for people worldwide. The present study was designed to compare the growth performance among the channel-blue hybrid catfish, channel catfish transgenic for the channel catfish growth hormone (ccGH) cDNA driven by the antifreeze protein promoter from an ocean pout Zoarces americanus (opAFP-ccGH), and non-transgenic channel catfish control. Mean body weight of channel-blue hybrid catfish was 15.80 and 24.06% larger than non-transgenic channel catfish control at 4 and 18 months of age, respectively. However, transgenic opAFP-ccGH channel catfish were 5.52 and 43.41% larger than channel-blue hybrid catfish and 22.19 and 77.91% larger than their controls at 4 and 18 months of age, respectively. Significant differences in mean body weight between the sexes within all genetic types were found. Males were larger than females (P < 0.001). However, mean body weight of non-transgenic males was not larger than transgenic opAFP-ccGH females or male and female hybrid catfish. Condition factor of transgenic opAFP-ccGH channel catfish was higher (P < 0.05) than that of full-sibling, non-transgenic channel catfish and hybrid catfish. The mean percentage body weight gain of GH transgenic channel catfish was 559%, the channel-blue hybrid catfish was 384.9% and their non-transgenic controls channel catfish was 352.6%.

Isolation, Identification, and Pathogenicity of Aeromonas veronii, the Causal Agent of Hemorrhagic Septicemia in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in China

“…Channel catfish [1] is a freshwater fish that was imported into China in 1984 from the USA [2]. This population of species has strong growth within the breeding areas, with a high yield after environmental adaptation [2].…”

“…Channel catfish [1] is a freshwater fish that was imported into China in 1984 from the USA [2]. This population of species has strong growth within the breeding areas, with a high yield after environmental adaptation [2]. It has been widely bred in over 30 provinces and cities in China, such as Henan, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Guangdong, and has become the primary breed to earn foreign exchange from China's exports [3].…”