The genetic basis of resistance to Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and White feces syndrome (WFS) in the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

• Published in: Aquaculture 2025-02, Vol.596, p.741789, Article 741789
• Main Authors: Nirea, Kahsay, Salazar, Marcela, Erazo, Edna C., Suarez, Andres, DeCock, Bruno, Peñaloza, Carolina, Houston, Ross D., Yazdi, M. Hossein, Lozano, Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aquaculture; body weight; Colombia; EHP; Enterocytozoon; feces; feed intake; fungi; genetic correlation; genetic improvement; Genetic parameters; genome-wide association study; Genomic selection; genomics; genotyping; growth performance; growth retardation; Heritability estimate; industry; L. Vannamei; Litopenaeus vannamei; marker-assisted selection; parentage; pedigree; phenotype; prediction; quality control; shrimp; WFS
• ISSN: 0044-8486
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741789

The microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is a yeast-like intracellular fungus, that in the last decade has significantly contributed to major economic losses in the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) industry worldwide. In commercial ponds, EHP affected shrimp frequently also shows symptoms of White Feces Syndrome (WFS), characterized by floating white fecal strings, reduced feed consumption, and growth retardation. To elucidate the genetic basis of resistance to EHP + WFS, a challenge test was conducted using a pedigreed shrimp population from the Benchmark Genetics breeding program in Colombia. Out of the total genotyped animals, 1436 individuals from 47 families successfully passed quality control, underwent parentage analysis, had phenotypic records and were available for further analysis. Moderate heritabilities were estimated for binary survival to EHP + WFS using pedigree based (0.31 ± 0.04) and genomic analysis (0.41 ± 0.06). Furthermore, a low genetic correlation between body weight and EHP + WFS challenge test survival traits was observed, implying that genetic improvement of resistance to EHP + WFS can be achieved without compromising growth performance. The genome-wide association analysis showed little evidence for any major QTL, indicating that multiple genes with small effects collectively contribute to EHP + WFS resistance. Furthermore, cross validation analysis showed 0.54 ± 0.01 accuracy of prediction for genomic analysis and 0.49 ± 0.001 for the pedigree analysis, indicating the relevance of a genomic selection strategy for achieving genetic improvement for EHP + WFS resistance in L. vannamei. •Resistance to EHP and WFS co-infection in white legged shrimp is heritable.•No genetic correlation between weight and resistance to EHP and WFS co-infection.•Resistance to EHP and WFS co-infection in white legged shrimp is a polygenic trait.