Abstract
We have created a new, fast-growing strain of common carp with higher unsaturated fatty acid content in muscle. To better understand the impacts of gene regulation in intestinal tissue on growth and unsaturated fatty acid content, we conducted a comparative RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis between intestine samples of Selected and Control groups (and corroborated selected results by PCR). After eight weeks of cage culture, weight gain of the Selected group was 20.84% higher. In muscles of the control group, monounsaturated fatty acids (FAs) were more abundant, whereas polyunsaturated FAs were more abundant in muscles of the Selected group. In total, we found 106 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups. Only the endocytosis pathway was significantly enriched in DEGs, with two upregulated genes: il2rb and ehd1. The latter is involved in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (Gh/Igf) axis, which plays a key role in the regulation of growth in animals. tll2, which is known to be associated with intestinal regeneration, was extremely highly upregulated in both transcriptomic (infinite) and qPCR (610.70) analyses. Two of the upregulated genes are associated with the fatty acid metabolism, several genes are likely to be indicators of heightened transcription levels, several are associated with metabolic and developmental roles, several with neuronal functions (including two with vision), several with the immune system, and two downregulated genes with the development of vasculature. The higher growth rate of the Selected group is likely to be at least partially attributed to increased endocytosis efficiency and genetically-driven behavioural differences (higher aggression levels). There are some indications that this new strain might have slightly impaired immune responses, and a higher propensity for inherited diseases leading to sight impairment, as well for neurodegenerative diseases in general, but these indications still need to be confirmed.
Highlights
Growth rate, regulated by environmental factors and genetics, is a primary trait of interest in selection programs of most cultured fish species due to its intrinsic link with productivity and profitability of aquaculture enterprises [1]
This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the genetic basis of growth and unsaturated fatty acid content in fish and vertebrates in general
Fatty acid composition analysis showed that saturated fatty acids (FAs) (SFA) were more abundant in the muscles of Control group (Table 1)
Summary
Growth rate, regulated by environmental factors and genetics, is a primary trait of interest in selection programs of most cultured fish species due to its intrinsic link with productivity and profitability of aquaculture enterprises [1]. The common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758) is probably the oldest and most common cultured fish species, with third largest total aquaculture production output globally. Growth of skeletal muscles of fish is the primary topic of interest for the aquaculture industry [3]. Some molecular aspects of growth in fish are relatively well-studied, such as the growth hormone—insulin-like growth factor I (GH-IGFI) axis of the neuroendocrine system [3,6,7,8], our understanding of the molecular regulation of growth in fish remains fragmentary [3,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
