Impact of Paternal Age and Sperm Storage Duration on Reproductive Performance Traits in Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus

Abstract

Advanced hatchery techniques have expanded the production of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus ♀ × blue catfish, I. furcatus ♂ hybrids, which exhibit several advantages over other catfish species. However, access to high-quality gametes remains a leading bottleneck for the industry. Paternal age and sperm storage duration (4oC) are critical factors affecting the quality of male gametes, yet it has received less focus in aquatic species. Therefore, establishing links between paternal age, sperm storage duration, and reproductive success is essential for enhancing hybrid catfish production. In this thesis, it was demonstrated that advanced paternal age leads to changes in reproductive performance, which can cause alterations in sperm performance for hybrid catfish. Transcriptomic analysis further showed highest reproductive performance at age 7, followed by a decreasing trend as males aged. Short-term storage of sperm showed increased oxidative stress within 24 h and time-specific microbiome changes in sperm. Overall, these findings identified the importance of paternal age and sperm storage in gamete quality and provided insights to improve hybrid production success.