• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2003

Our previous studies of both microarray analysis in channel catfish muscle gene expression of 2 different ages and channel catfish muscle expressed sequence tag profiles demonstrated parvalbumin beta is one of the highly expressed muscle transcriptome. We have cloned and sequenced complementary DNA encoding the channel catfish parvalbumin which encode 109 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequences of the catfish parvalbumin are highly conserved with those cloned from other teleosts. The availability of the catfish parvalbumin provides the opportunity of studying fish epitopes.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2003

To generate expressed sequence tags for genomics research involving genetic linkage analysis, to examine gene expression profiles in muscles of channel catfish in a non-normalized muscle cDNA library, to compare gene expression in young and mature channel catfish muscles using the EST reagents and gene filters to demonstrate the feasibility of functional genomics research in small laboratories. 102 randomly picked cDNA clones were analyzed from the catfish muscle cDNA library. Of the sequences generated, 90.2% of ESTs was identified as known genes by identity comparisons. These 92 clones of known gene products represent transcriptional products of 24 genes. The 10 clones of unknown gene products represent 8 genes. The major transcripts (70.1% of the analyzed ESTs) in the catfish muscle are from many major genes involved in muscle contraction, relaxation, energy metabolism and calcium binding such as alpha actin, creatine kinase, parvalbumin, myosin, troponins, and tropomyosins. Gene expression of the unique ESTs was comparatively studied in the young and adult catfish muscles. Significant differences were observed for aldolase, myostatin, myosin light chain, parvalbumin, and an unknown gene. While myosin light chain and an unknown gene (CM 192) are down-regulated in the mature fish muscle, the aldolase, myostatin, and parvalbumin are significantly up-regulated in the mature fish muscle. Although the physiological significance of the changes in expression levels needs to be further addressed, this research demonstrates the feasibility and power of functional genomics in channel catfish. Channel catfish muscle gene expression profiles provide a valuable molecular muscle physiology blueprint for functional comparative genomics.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.130-132
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• 2005

Genomics research has two ultimate applied goals: to Isolate and clone genes of economic importance for bio-technology and gene-assisted selection (GAS), and to locate and use markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in selective breeding programs. To this end, we have identified linked markers for feed conversion efficiency growth rate, and disease resistance to enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Three microsatellite markers Ip266, Ip384, and Ip607 were identified to be linked to feed conversion efficiency. Similarly one marker each was identified to be linked to growth rate (Ip607) and disease resistance to ESC (Ip477). Ip607 marker linked to both growth rate and feed conversion efficiency, indicating that the QTL for both growth rate and feed conversion efficiency may either be the same or located in the same chromosomal region in the catfish genome. On phenotypic evaluation, certain traits such as growth rate can be accurately evaluated by body weight evaluation while other traits such as disease resistance can be quite complex. The linked DNA markers will be highly useful for MAS programs and for directing further efforts of genomic mapping for important quantitative traits.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.323-331
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• 1999

Most of channel fish farming in Alabama are still earthen pond style, and filled by rainfall and runoff. The water levels of ponds are maintained with stand-pipe, and the effluent from ponds very little discharged at usual time except ant heavy rains and crop season. Overflow from ponds following rains occurs mostly in winter and early spring when stream flows high. In this study to know how much effluents fish ponds affected to streams which are nearby ponds, a survey carried out on the variation of water quality of seven streams and effluents at heavy rains. Water samples were collected at 14 sites on upstream (did not affected by effluents) and downstream(being affect by effluents), and sampled monthly from August 1997 to August 1998. There were no clear trends of difference in most water quality variables between upstream and downstream of catfish farms during a year. The effluents from ponds after heavy rains were not highly polluted, but sometimes have elevated concentrations of TSS. Nitrogen content of effluents was higher than that of routine streams , but phosphorus was not clear. From this result suggest than the effluents from catfish farm are not having adverse impacts on stream water quality still yet .

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.67-71
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• 2001

Phosphorus is an essential element for growth and metabolism in fish. However high levels of phosphorus in the feed can lead to poor water quality of pond, and can also be a potential source of pollution, when pond water is released to the environment. In this study phosphorus supplemented diets containing 0.0, 0.9 or 1.9% of (dicalcium) phosphate were offered to channel catfish and changes in water quality of ponds and phosphorus levels in fish were measured. Higher level of (1.9%) supplementation of phosphorus in diet resulted in higher concentration of T-P and SRP in pond waters. Also it produced negative effects on fish production by lowering feed coefficient and rate of increment in body weight. Surplus phosphorus can affect fish growth and water quality of pond.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

The objectives of this research were to improve the film-forming properties of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus skin gelatin (CSG) by cross-linking with transglutaminase (TG), determine and optimize the TG reaction time, and characterize the mechanical and barrier properties of CSG edible film. Cross-linking of CSG was performed by TG for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min at $50^{\circ}C$, and the reaction was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The color and mechanical and barrier properties of edible films fabricated with CSG cross-linked with TG were characterized. Gelatin yields from the extraction ranged from 18.2% to 23.3%. SDS-PAGE exhibited dark bands at 120 and 250 kDa, indicating successful TG-mediated cross-linking. The color of CSG film was not affected by TG cross-linking. The tensile strength of CSG films cross-linked with TG decreased from 42.59 to 21.73 MPa and the percent elongation increased from 42.92% to 76.96% as reaction times increased from 0 to 40 min. There was no significant difference in water vapor permeability of CSG films.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.187-197
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• 1993

Studies related to water quality in catfish ponds were conducted on commercial catfish production ponds and compared with its receiving streams' water quality in central and west-central Alabama. The ponds were stocked with 10,000 fish/ha. The ponds were aerated nightly (0000-0600 hrs). Fish were fed to satiation at about the same time, six-days a week. In order to assess the pollutional strength of effluents from commercial channel catfish ponds, water samples were collected during each calender season from fall 1990 through summer 1991, and selected water quality variables were monitored. Mean values for water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, settleable solids, total suspended soilds, volatile solids, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphate, biochemical oxygen demand, total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen were basically the same (P> 0.05) between samples taken from the surface and near the bottom. Concentrations of most water quality variables of catfish ponds were higher than those of receiving streams, and especially it had much higher average concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus than streams.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 1993

Vertebrate retinal neurons, like brain tracts farm complex synaptic relations in the enter and inner plexiform layers which ape equivalent to the central nervous system nuclei. The effects of $\gamma-aminobutyric$ acid(GABA) and glycine on retinal neurons were explored to discern the mechanisms of action of neurotransmitters. Experiments were performed in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, using intracellular electrophysiological techniques. The roles of GABA and glycine as inhibitory neurotransmitters are well established in the vertebrate retina. But, we found that the depolarizing action of GABA and glycine on third-order neurons in the catfish retina. GABA and glycine appeared to act on retinal ueurons based on the observations that (1) effects on photoreceptors were not observed, (2) horizontal cells were either hyperpolarized $({\sim}33%)$ or depolarized $({\sim}67%)$, (3) bipolar cells were all hyperpolarized (4) amacrine and ganglion cells were either hyperpolarized $({\sim}37%)$ or depolarized $({\sim}63%)$, (5) GABA and glycine may be working to suppress presynaptic inhibition. The results suggest that depolarization of third-order neurons by GABA and glycine is due to at least two mechanisms; a direct postsynaptic effect and an indirect effect. Therefore, in the catfish retina, a mechanism of presynaptic inhibition or disinhibition including the direct postsynaptic effect may exist in the third-order neurons.

• Proceedings of the Korean Aquaculture Society Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.229-230
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• 2001

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 1998

The dynamic properties of the 3rd-order neuron of the retina was investigated by using conventional intracellular recording techniques. Experiments were performed in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. The cornea, iris, lens, and vitreous were removed by absorption with Kimwipe tissue under the dissection microscope thereby exposing the retina in a hemi -eyecup. The electrical signal was amplified by electrometer, viewed on oscilloscope. Regular signals from the cells were recorded on a penwriter and stored by data recorder and computer. Full-field, spot or annular light stimuli were generated on a computer monitor and focused onto the retina. Baclofen hyperpolarized the dark membrane potential, suppressed sustained component and enhanced transient component of the ON-sustained cell with a large transient component, but did not affect the surround antagonism of the cell. Baclofen selectively suppressed responses evoked by moving bar light stimuli on the ON-OFF transient cell. The results suggest that transient cells have directional selectivity in the inner retina. These dynamic properties of amacrine and ganglion cells were modulated by baclofen. Therefore, it is presumed that there is baclofen-induced directional selectivity in ON-OFF transient cells in the catfish retina.