FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RHESUS GLYCOPROTEINS IN MITIGATING TOXIC AMMONIA BUILD-UP IN CATFISH CHALLENGED WITH ELEVATED ENVIRONMENTAL AMMONIA AND WATER BORNE IRON IN AQUACULTURE PRACTICES

The overall goal is to explore the potential strategies to enhance the functionality of Rh glycoproteins as a protective mechanism against the toxicity induced by excessive ammonia accumulation in catfish aquacultureSpecific objectives of this project are to, 1. Identify and characterize Rh glycoproteins isoforms, and subcellular localization in the gills.2. Assess the triggering effects of various factors (feeding rations, water pH and dietary cortisol) on Rh glycoprotein isoforms expression, and the consequence on ammonia handling when catfish are challenged with elevated water ammonia and iron.3. Determine the integrated performance of fish at growth, physio-biochemical and cellular level under the scenario of differentially expressed Rh glycoproteins (defined in objective #2)4. Determine the practical implication of feeding rations, water pH and dietary cortisol to mitigate endogenous ammonia toxicity under natural conditions in aquaculture ponds.