Forming the base population of fast-growing African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) carrying major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) allele through a within-family selection

Abstract

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is one of the economically important species in Indonesian aquaculture that has experienced genetic deterioration. Thus, it should be genetically improved, mainly on the growth and disease resistance. The genetic improvement of those traits was initiated by forming the base population. The base population consisted of two populations, each resulting from a factorial mating design of a 2:2 ratio between 30 males and 30 females of Mutiara African catfish carrying major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) allele number 7. Forming the first base population resulted in 50 families, whereas the second resulted in 57 families. The potency of the base population in forming the next generation was then evaluated by estimating the genetic parameters, i.e., heritability, selection differential, selection intensity, and response to selection. Results of the estimation of genetic parameters for its body weight suggested that the heritability of both base populations was relatively high (0.33 and 0.44), with relatively low selection differential (28.07±11.39% and 23.78±7.42%) and selection intensity (1.13±0.22 and 1.13±0.19). The response to selection for body weight in the next generation was estimated at around 9.31-10.38%. Those results suggested that both base populations could be used in forming the next generation.