Long-term crowding stress causes compromised nonspecific immunity and increases apoptosis of spleen in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Ecological assessment of stream water polluted by phosphorus chemical plant: Physiological, biochemical, and molecular effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

The rapid development of the phosphorus chemical industry has caused serious pollution problems in the regional eco-environment. However, understanding of their ecotoxic effects remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the developmental toxicity of a stream polluted by a phosphorus chemical plant (PCP) on zebrafish embryos. For this, zebrafish embryos were exposed to stream water (0, 25, 50, and 100% v/v) for 96 h, and developmental toxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage were assessed. Stream water-treated embryos exhibited decreased hatching rates, heart rates, and body lengths, as well as increased mortality and malformation rates. The general morphology score system indicated that the swim bladder and pigmentation were the main abnormal morphological endpoints. Stream water promoted antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. It also triggered apoptosis in the embryos' heads, hearts, and spines by activating apoptotic enzymes (Caspase-3 and Caspase-9). Additionally, stream water influenced growth, oxidative stress, and apoptosis-related 19 gene expression. Notably, tyr, sod (Mn), and caspase9 were the most sensitive indicators of growth, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, respectively. The current trial concluded that PCP-polluted stream water exhibited significant developmental toxicity to zebrafish embryos, which was regulated by the oxidative stress-mediated activation of endogenous apoptotic signaling pathways.

Construction and characterization of Aeromonas hydrophila crp and fur deletion mutants and evaluation of its potential as live-attenuated vaccines in crucian carp

Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) is a typical zoonotic pathogenic bacterium that infects humans, animals, and fish. It has been reported that the Fur, a Fe2+ regulatory protein, and the Crp, a cAMP receptor protein, play important roles in bacterial virulence in many bacteria, but no research has been investigated on A. hydrophila. In this study, the Δfur and Δcrp mutant strains were constructed by the suicide plasmid method. These two mutant strains exhibited a slightly diminished bacterial growth and also were observed some alterations in the number of outer membrane proteins, and the disappearance of hemolysis in the Δcrp strain. Animal experiments of crucian carp showed that the Δfur and Δcrp mutant strains significantly decreased virulence compared to the wild-type strain, and both mutant strains were able to induce good immune responses by two kinds of administration routes of intraperitoneal immunization (i.p) and immersion immunization, and the protection rates through intraperitoneal injection of Δfur and Δcrp to crucian carp were as high as 83.3 % and 73.3 %, respectively, and immersion immunization route of Δfur and Δcrp to crucian carp provided protection as high as 40 % and 20 %, respectively. These two mutant strains showed abilities to induce changes in enzymatic activities of the non-specific enzymes SOD, LZM, AKP, and ACP in crucian carp. Together, these results indicated the Δfur and Δcrp mutants were safe and effective candidate vaccine strains, showing good protection against the wild-type A. hydrophila challenge.

Signatures of selection in Mulinia lateralis underpinning its rapid adaptation to laboratory conditions

The dwarf surf clam, Mulinia lateralis, is considered as a model species for bivalves because of its rapid growth and short generation time. Recently, successful breeding of this species for multiple generations in our laboratory revealed its acquisition of adaptive advantages during artificial breeding. In this study, 310 individuals from five different generations were genotyped with 22,196 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the aim of uncovering the genetic basis of their adaptation to laboratory conditions. Results revealed that M. lateralis consistently maintained high genetic diversity across generations, characterized by high observed heterozygosity (H o: 0.2733-0.2934) and low levels of inbreeding (F is: -0.0244-0.0261). Population analysis indicated low levels of genetic differentiation among generations of M. lateralis during artificial breeding (F st <0.05). In total, 316 genomic regions exhibited divergent selection, with 168 regions under positive selection. Furthermore, 227 candidate genes were identified in the positive selection regions, which have functions including growth, stress resistance, and reproduction. Notably, certain selection signatures with significantly higher F st value were detected in genes associated with male reproduction, such as GAL3ST1, IFT88, and TSSK2, which were significantly upregulated during artificial breeding. This suggests a potential role of sperm-associated genes in the rapid evolutionary response of M. lateralis to selection in laboratory conditions. Overall, our findings highlight the phenotypic and genetic changes, as well as selection signatures, in M. lateralis during artificial breeding. This contributes to understanding their adaptation to laboratory conditions and underscores the potential for using this species to explore the adaptive evolution of bivalves.

Effect of polypropylene microplastics on virus resistance in spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a hot issue of global concern. Polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) age quickly in the marine environment and break down into smaller particles because of their relatively low temperature resistance, poor ultraviolet resistance, and poor antioxidant capacity, making them one of the major pollutants in the ocean. We assessed whether long-term exposure to micron-sized PP-MPs influences fish susceptibility to viral diseases. We found that exposure to PP-MPs (1-6 μm and 10-30 μm) at concentrations of 500 and 5000 μg/L resulted in uptake into spleen and kidney tissues of Lateolabrax maculatus. Increased activation of melanomacrophage centers was visible in histopathological sections of spleen from fish exposed to PP-MPs, and greater deterioration was observed in the spleen of fish infected by largemouth bass ulcerative syndrome virus after PP-MPs exposure. Additionally, exposure to PP-MPs led to significant cytotoxicity and a negative impact on the antiviral ability of cells. PP-MPs exposure had inhibitory or toxic effects on the immune system in spotted sea bass, which accelerated virus replication in vivo and decreased the expression of the innate immune- and acquired immune related genes in spleen and kidney tissues, thus increasing fish susceptibility to viral diseases. These results indicate that the long-term presence of micron-sized PP-MPs might impact fish resistance to disease, thereby posing a far-reaching problem for marine organisms.

Stocking density affects immune and stress-related gene expression of Butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) fry in biofloc landscapes

Scientific research into fish wellness is critical, and the concerns about crowding-related stress due to increased stocking density are inevitable. Taking this into consideration, the study defines the physiological signature of Ompok bimaculatus (Butter catfish) in a biofloc system when subjected to varying levels of stocking density. Fish (mean weight = 1.21 g ± 0.08, n = 600) were randomly stocked in 40-L glass aquaria at stocking densities of 0.5 g/L (T1), 1 g/L (T2), 1.5 g/L (T3), and 2 g/L (T4) and fed a 35% protein diet. After the 90-day trial, the physio-biochemical, molecular, and tissue-level changes were assessed. An integrated biomarker response (IBR) analysis for the key stress indicators aided us in better understanding them. There was a significant difference in blood count between T1 and T4 (total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume). T1 had higher levels of globulin and total plasma protein, but T2 had higher levels of albumin. Only in T1 did the respiratory burst and lysozyme activity appear to be higher (p < 0.05). Increased stocking densities had a significant impact on the liver function enzymes, GOT and GPT (p < 0.05). In comparison to lower densities (T1 & T2), higher stocking density (T3 & T4) was found to raise glucose and cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and malondialdehyde were found to be more pronounced in lower density tissues (T1). Furthermore, the IBR plots show that lower densities have better health than higher densities. At higher stocking densities, mRNA expression of HSP70, IL-1, and IL-20 increased (p < 0.05) in kidney and liver tissues. The Nrf-2 and Tlr-9 genes were also upregulated. Also, when stocking density was increased, tissue-level histo-architectural changes were more pronounced than when stocking density was kept low. The findings of this study show that the welfare of Butter catfish cultured at high density in biofloc systems suffers from severe stress, and therefore draw more attention to the development of a species-specific standard rearing methodology in the pursuit of a profitable aqua-farming enterprise.

α-lipoic acid ameliorates hepatotoxicity induced by chronic ammonia toxicity in crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation and inhibiting ERS pathway

High environment ammonia (HEA) poses a deadly threat to aquatic animals and indirectly impacts human healthy life, while nutritional regulation can alleviate chronic ammonia toxicity. α-lipoic acid exhibits antioxidative effects in both aqueous and lipid environments, mitigating cellular and tissue damage caused by oxidative stress by aiding in the neutralization of free radicals (reactive oxygen species). Hence, investigating its potential as an effective antioxidant and its protective mechanisms against chronic ammonia stress in crucian carp is highly valuable. Experimental fish (initial weight 20.47 ± 1.68 g) were fed diets supplemented with or without 0.1% α-lipoic acid followed by a chronic ammonia exposure (10 mg/L) for 42 days. The results revealed that chronic ammonia stress affected growth (weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and feed conversion rate), leading to oxidative stress (decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase; decreased total antioxidant capacity), increased lipid peroxidation (accumulation of malondialdehyde), immune suppression (decreased contents of nonspecific immune enzymes AKP and ACP, 50% hemolytic complement, and decrease of immunoglobulin M), impaired ammonia metabolism (reduced contents of Glu, GS, GSH, and Gln), imbalance of expression of induced antioxidant-related genes (downregulation of Cu/Zu SOD, CAT, Nrf2, and HO-1; upregulation of GST and Keap1), induction of pro-apoptotic molecules (transcription of BAX, Caspase3, and Caspase9), downregulation of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 expression, and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress (upregulation of IRE1, PERK, and ATF6 expression). The results suggested that the supplementation of α-lipoic acid could effectively induce humoral immunity, alleviate oxidative stress injury and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and ultimately alleviate liver injury induced by ammonia poisoning (50-60% reduction). This provides theoretical basis for revealing the toxicity of long-term ammonia stress and provides new insights into the anti-ammonia toxicity mechanism of α-lipoic acid.

Effects of Dietary Medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) Extract on Growth Performance, Innate Immune Characteristics, Antioxidant Status, and Responses to Crowding Stress in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

High stocking density is a stress factor that potentially affects physiological and immune responses. In this study, the effects of medlar (Mespilus germanica) extract (ME) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant, immune status, and stress responses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were studied. Six hundred fish (40.19 ± 1.09 g; average fish weight ± standard error) were distributed randomly into five experimental groups (assayed in triplicates). The experimental diets were formulated as follows: 0 (T1, control), 0.5% (T2), 1% (T3), 1.5% (T4), and 2% (T4). After 60 days feeding trial, the fish were confined, and the density increased (60 kg/m3) for further 14 days. Results showed significant increases in final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, and feed intake in the T4 compared to the control (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in T4 significantly decreased compared to the control (P < 0.05). Also, the treated groups showed significant improvements in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lysozyme (LYZ), total immunoglobulin (total Ig), respiratory burst activity (RBA), total protein, and phagocytosis (PHA) (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with the control group, supplementation could significantly decrease glucose (GLU) and cortisol (CORT), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P < 0.05). After the challenge, FW and WG in all treated challenge groups were significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.05). FCR showed a significant decrease in all treated challenged groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, malondialdehyde, CAT, GPx, SOD, LYZ, complement activity (C3 and C4), total Ig, RBA, peroxidase, and PHA in challenged treated groups were significantly increased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). All treated challenged groups showed lower ALT, LDH, AST, ALP, GLU, and CORT levels than the control group (P < 0.05). The experiment herein successfully demonstrated that dietary ME stimulated fish growth, antioxidant status, and immune responses in crowding conditions and can be recommended as beneficial feed additives for rainbow trout.

Multivariate characterization of biochemical and physiological attributes umpires Pangasianodon hypophthalmus for a welfare-based open-water cage culture

The striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, dominates in the Indian inland freshwater cage culture because of its rapid growth and adaptive feeding habits; however, suitable stocking density based on growth without compromising the health of fish is important. Furthermore, fish growth and survival are inversely proportional to stocking density. Many farmers face size differentiation and poor survival at higher stocking densities. To address the aforementioned practical issue, the current study was carried out to study the influence of different stocking densities on the growth performance of P. hypophthalmus in cages. The fingerlings of P. hypophthalmus (10.63 ± 0.27 g) were stocked in triplicate in five different stocking densities (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 m-3), and the fishes were given commercial feed for 240 days. The outcome demonstrated that the fish stocking densities and their growth attributes were inversely related. Stocking density in the range of 20 to 40 m-3 produced the highest final weight, relative growth rate, and specific growth rate. The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in 20, 30, and 40 m-3 than the higher densities of 50 and 60 m-3. The level of serum biochemical markers such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and glucose and cortisol levels elevated significantly in higher stocking densities. The muscle quality changed as crude fat and muscle pH decreased at 50 and 60 m-3, leading to a drop in drip loss and frozen leakage rate. The vital water quality parameters were found within a suitable range. According to the outcomes of principal component analysis (PCA), elevated levels of SGOT, SGPT, glucose, and cortisol were detrimental to fish growth. The stocking density of 30 m-3 had the highest benefit-cost ratio (B:C) and return on investment (RI), followed by 20 and 40 m-3. Higher economic return was achieved at lower densities (30-40 m-3). This study suggests that rearing P. hypophthalmus at stocking densities of about 30-40 m-3 could be considered as an optimum for the inland freshwater cage culture which gives the best performance in terms of growth and production in tropical reservoirs of India. The best-suited stocking density is also taken into consideration based on the characterization of multivariate biochemical and physiological attributes.

PLIN2-induced ectopic lipid accumulation promotes muscle ageing in gregarious locusts

Ageing plasticity represents the flexibility of the ageing process in response to non-genetic factors, occurring commonly in animals. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying ageing plasticity are largely unclear. The density-dependent polyphenism of locusts, Locusta migratoria, displays dramatic lifespan divergence between solitary and gregarious phases, providing a useful system for studying ageing plasticity. Here, we found that gregarious locusts displayed faster locomotor deficits and increased muscle degeneration on ageing than solitary locusts. Comparative transcriptome analysis in flight muscles revealed significant differences in transcriptional patterns on ageing between two phases. RNA interference screening showed that the knockdown of the upregulated PLIN2 gene significantly relieved the ageing-related flight impairments in gregarious locusts. Mechanistically, the gradual upregulation of PLIN2 could induce the accumulation of ectopic lipid droplets and triacylglycerols in flight muscles during the ageing process. Further experiments suggested that ectopic lipid accumulation led to an ageing-related β-oxidation decline through limiting fatty acid transport and content. These findings reveal the key roles of lipid metabolism in the differences of muscle ageing between solitary and gregarious locusts and provide a potential mechanism underlying environment-induced muscle ageing plasticity.

Chronic stress boosts systemic inflammation and compromises antiviral innate immunity in Carassius gibel

It is generally considered that stress causes decreased immune function and render fish vulnerable to infection and diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms between stress responses and susceptibility to infections, especially viral diseases, in fish remain unknown. Understanding and monitoring the biological consequences and mechanisms underlying stress responses in fish may contribute to the improvement of animal welfare and production efficiency. In this study, long-term exposure to a variety of stressors, including chasing, overcrowding, restraint stress, and air exposure mimicking chronic stresses, in aquaculture practices was conducted in Carassius gibel to investigate the consequences of chronic stress on inflammation and antiviral capability. With the continuation of stimulation, experimental fish gradually became insensitive to the stress of net chasing and feeding with the accompaniment of upregulated gene expressed in the HPI axis and elevated levels of stress hormones. As expected, stress-induced hyperglycaemia with a decrease in the insulin signaling pathway and altered gene expression in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, suggesting the disturbance of glycometabolism. Importantly, a link between intestinal homoeostasis and systemic low-grade inflammation in stressed C. gibel was observed, implying crosstalk among the brain, intestine, and other organs. Furthermore, the compromised antiviral capability with impaired antiviral innate immunity in stressed fish was confirmed by RNA sequencing and infection with Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2), promoting the understanding of enhanced susceptibility to viral infection in stressed fish.

Toxicity in Takifugu rubripes exposed to acute ammonia: Effects on immune responses, brain neurotransmitter levels, and thyroid endocrine hormones

Exposure to ammonia can cause convulsions, coma, and death. In this study, we investigate the effects of ammonia exposure on immunoregulatory and neuroendocrine changes in Takifugu rubripes. Fish were sampled at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h following exposure to different ammonia concentrations (0, 5, 50, 100, and 150 mg/L). Our results showed that exposure to ammonia significantly reduced the concentrations of C3, C4, IgM, and LZM whereas the heat shock protein 70 and 90 levels significantly increased. In addition, the transcription levels of Mn-SOD, CAT, GRx, and GR in the liver were significantly upregulated following exposure to low ammonia concertation, however, downregulated with increased exposure time. These findings suggest that ammonia poisoning causes oxidative damage and suppresses plasma immunity. Ammonia exposure also resulted in the elevation and depletion of the T3 and T4 levels, respectively. Furthermore, ammonia stress induced an increase in the corticotrophin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol levels, and a decrease in dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the brain, illustrating that ammonia poisoning can disrupt the endocrine and neurotransmitter systems. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic effects of ammonia exposure, which helps to assess the ecological and environmental health risks of this contaminant in marine fish.

Protective effects of paeonol against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver oxidative stress and inflammation in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone) is a phenol that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. In this study, the underlying mechanism of paeonol against LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in gibel carp was investigated. Three hundred healthy gibel carp were divided into five groups (n = 9), intraperitoneally injected with LPS and thereafter treated with paeonol (16 mg/kg and 64 mg/kg). Fish were anesthetized with MS-222 (100 mg/L), and samples were collected at 72 h to investigate plasma biochemical indexes, liver histopathology, antioxidant enzymatic activity, and TLR receptor-related gene expression. Fish injected with LPS (20 mg/kg) exhibited significantly increased plasma aminotransferase (ALT), aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (GLU), diamine oxidase (DAO), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (P < 0.05). In addition, LPS challenge significantly enhanced myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, whereas those of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) decreased (P < 0.05). However, treatment with paeonol attenuated these LPS-induced changes (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of TLR4, TIRAP, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8, which were activated by LPS challenge (P < 0.05), were downregulated by paeonol. Additionally, histopathological examination demonstrated that paeonol alleviates LPS-induced hepatic tissue lesions in fish. Taken together, the results suggest that paeonol mitigates LPS-induced liver oxidative stress and inflammation in gibel carp.

Effect of dietary supplementation of Cetobacterium somerae XMX-1 fermentation product on gut and liver health and resistance against bacterial infection of the genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Cetobacterium somerae XMX-1 fermentation product on gut and liver health and resistance against bacterial infection in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Fingerling GIFTs (n = 120; initial weight 1.33 ± 0.00 g) were randomly assigned to twelve 90-L tanks (four tanks per diet, 10 fish per tank) with three groups: control group (basal high fat diet), 1% XMX-1 group and 2% XMX-1 group (basal diet supplemented with 10 and 20 g XMX-1/kg feed respectively). After 49 days feeding trial, the growth performance and gut and liver health parameters of tilapia were evaluated. Also the gut microbiota and virome were detected by sequencing. 2% XMX-1 fermentation product had no effect on growth performance. For gut health, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-lα (Hif-1α) tend to increase in 1% XMX-1 group (P = 0.053). The expression of intestinal interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor growth factor β (TGF-β) was significantly down-regulated in 1% and 2% XMX-1 groups (P < 0.05), and the intestinal expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) had a trend to decrease (P = 0.08) in 1% XMX-1 group versus control. 1% and 2% XMX-1 groups also increased the intestinal expression of tight junction genes Claudin (P = 0.06 and 0.07, respectively). For liver health, XMX-1 fermentation product significantly decreased liver TAG (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the hepatic expression of lipid synthesis gene fatty acid synthase (FAS) was significantly decreased and the expression of lipid catabolism related-gene uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was significantly increased in 1% XMX-1 and 2% XMX-1 groups (P < 0.01). And the hepatic expression of IL-1β and IL-6 significantly decreased in 1% XMX-1 and 2% XMX-1 groups (P < 0.05). XMX-1 fermentation product increased the abundance of Fusobacteria in the gut microbiota and 2% XMX-1 group led to alteration in the virome composition at family level. Lastly, the time of tilapia death post Aeromoans challenge was delayed in 1% XMX-1 and 2% XMX-1 groups compared with control. To sum up, our results show that the dietary supplementation of XMX-1 fermentation product can improve the gut and liver health as well as the resistance against pathogenic bacteria of tilapia.

The intestinal histopathology, innate immune response and antioxidant capacity of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) in response to Aeromonas hydrophila

The present study was performed to determine the effects of Aeromonas hydrophila infection on intestinal -histopathology, innate immune response and changes in antioxidant capacity of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). A series of histopathological changes, innate immune enzyme activities, antioxidant enzyme activities, and the corresponding mRNA relative genes expressions in intestines were measured at 0, 1, 2, and 3 weeks post-treatment of Aeromonas hydrophila (1✕10⁷ CFU mL^-1) infection. The results showed that Aeromonas hydrophila induced changes in intestinal morphology, including the decreased muscularis thickness, the proliferated goblet cells, and the atrophied intestine villi height. Moreover, the innate immune enzymes activities in serum such as acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme activities and immunoglobulin M were significantly reduced after infection at 1week, 2week and 3week. The contents of complement 3 and complement 4 were significantly decreased after infection as well. In addition, the antioxidant enzymes activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the experimental groups were significantly decreased compared with the control group, whereas the content of malondialdehyde was significantly increased after infection at 1week, 2week and 3week. Furthermore, the mRNA relative expressions of the inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins-1β, interferon-γ, and interleukins-6 were significantly increased after infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. The TJ-related gene expressions in the intestine of zonula occluden-1, occludin, occludin-1, occludin-2 were significantly reduced throughout the infection period. The mRNA relative expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription 4 and janus kinase-3 in the intestine were significantly ascended compared with the non-infected group. Overall, the results elucidated that the intestine tissue injury and innate immune response reduction, as well as antioxidant capacity attenuation were occurred against Aeromonas hydrophila infection of the blunt snout bream.

Crowding does not affect monarch butterflies’ resistance to a protozoan parasite

Host density is an important factor when it comes to parasite transmission and host resistance. Increased host density can increase contact rate between individuals and thus parasite transmission. Host density can also cause physiological changes in the host, which can affect host resistance. Yet, the direction in which host density affects host resistance remains unresolved. It is also unclear whether food limitation plays a role in this effect. We investigated the effect of larval density in monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, on the resistance to their natural protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha under both unlimited and limited food conditions. We exposed monarchs to various density treatments as larvae to mimic high densities observed in sedentary populations. Data on infection and parasite spore load were collected as well as development time, survival, wing size, and melanization. Disease susceptibility under either food condition or across density treatments was similar. However, we found high larval density impacted development time, adult survival, and wing morphology when food was limited. This study aids our understanding of the dynamics of environmental parasite transmission in monarch populations, which can help explain the increased prevalence of parasites in sedentary monarch populations compared to migratory populations.

Evaluation of Ammonia Nitrogen Exposure in Immune Defenses Present on Spleen and Head-Kidney of Wuchang Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Ammonia is one of the most important environmental factors in aquatic ecosystems. However, there are limited studies on the effects of chronic or long-term ammonia stress and its potential molecular mechanism in fish. This study aimed to investigate the immune response and molecular mechanisms in the spleen and head-kidney of fish following chronic ammonia exposure. Megalobrama amblycephala (9.98 ± 0.48 g) were exposed to different concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen (0-30 mg/L) for 30 days. Ammonia exposure caused significant increases in cortisol levels and decreases in lysozyme and complement 3/4 concentrations in the serum, indicating inhibitory effects of ammonia stress on innate immune responses. Ammonia exposure also induced concentration-dependent increases in ammonia concentrations in tissue, pathological damage and indexes of spleen and head-kidney. Additionally, the contents of immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) as well as mRNA levels of toll-like receptors (TLRs)/Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-independent signaling molecules in the spleen and head-kidney were significantly downregulated after ammonia exposure. Our findings suggested that chronic ammonia exposure caused the suppression of innate and adaptive immune responses through downregulating TLR/MyD88-independent signaling. Adverse influences of chronic ammonia stress were more severe in the spleen than in the head-kidney.

Effects of acute ammonia exposure and recovery on the antioxidant response and expression of genes in the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in the juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

Continuous exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause oxidative damage to fish tissues and organs. To date, the mechanism by which juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) are poisoned by ammonia exposure has not been thoroughly elucidated. although the mechanisms of ammonia toxicity are not well described for the pompano, many other studies presented these effects to other fish species. So an overview would be given. First, an acute ammonia nitrogen toxicity experiment on juvenile golden pompano obtained a 96-h half-lethal concentration (96 h LC50) of 26.9 mg/L. In the ammonia exposure experiment, fish were sampled at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after exposure to ammonia water (26.93 mg/L). The results showed that with the prolonged ammonia nitrogen exposure, plasma cortisol (COR), total cholesterol (TC), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST) and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels continued to rise, while glucose (GLU) levels first increased and later gradually decreased after 12 h. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the liver and the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant genes (SOD, CAT, and GPX) first increased and subsequently decreased with increasing exposure time. Through microscopic observation, it was found that the degree of liver damage increased with increasing stress time and was most serious at 96 h. In the post-poison recovery experiment, the fish exposed to ammonia were transferred to clean water, and samples were taken at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after recovery. The results showed that with the increasing recovery time, each index recovered to the initial level to varying degrees, but the recovery time of 96 h was not enough for the fish to return to the normal level. We also examined the regulation of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway by the molecular mechanism of the antioxidant defense system. The results of this analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between Nrf2 and liver antioxidant gene expression levels, while there was a negative correlation between Keap1 and liver antioxidant gene expression levels, which may be observed because Nrf2 plays a key role in inducing antioxidant genes, and Keap1 may hinder the response to Nrf2. These results may provide a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the impact of ammonia exposure on fish and help to provide a foundation for managing the healthy reproduction of juvenile fish.

Transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the effects of high stocking density on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Background

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is one of the most widely cultivated fishes in China. High stocking density can reportedly affect fish growth and immunity. Herein we performed PacBio long-read single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and Illumina RNA sequencing to evaluate the effects of high stocking density on grass carp transcriptome.

Results

SMRT sequencing led to the identification of 33,773 genes (14,946 known and 18,827 new genes). From the structure analysis, 8,009 genes were detected with alternative splicing events, 10,219 genes showed alternative polyadenylation sites and 15,521 long noncoding RNAs. Further, 1,235, 962, and 213 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the intestine, muscle, and brain tissues, respectively. We performed functional enrichment analyses of DEGs, and they were identified to be significantly enriched in nutrient metabolism and immune function. The expression levels of several genes encoding apolipoproteins and activities of enzymes involved in carbohydrate enzymolysis were found to be upregulated in the high stocking density group, indicating that lipid metabolism and carbohydrate decomposition were accelerated. Besides, four isoforms of grass carp major histocompatibility complex class II antigen alpha and beta chains in the aforementioned three tissue was showed at least a 4-fold decrease.

Conclusions

The results suggesting that fish farmed at high stocking densities face issues associated with the metabolism and immune system. To conclude, our results emphasize the importance of maintaining reasonable density in grass carp aquaculture.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07924-4.

Gut probiotic bacteria of Barbonymus gonionotus improve growth, hematological parameters and reproductive performances of the host

This study aimed to isolate and identify probiotic bacteria from the gut of Barbonymus gonionotus and evaluate their effects on growth, hematological parameters, and breeding performances of the host. Five probiotic bacteria viz. Enterococcus xiangfangensis (GFB-1), Pseudomonas stutzeri (GFB-2), Bacillus subtilis (GFB-3), Citrobacter freundii (GFB-4), and P. aeruginosa (GFB-5) were isolated and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Application of a consortium of probiotic strains (1-3 × 1.35 × 109 CFU kg-1) or individual strain such as GFB-1 (1.62 × 109 CFU kg-1), GFB-2 (1.43 × 109 CFU kg-1), GFB-3 (1.06 × 109 CFU kg-1), GFB-4 (1.5 × 109 CFU kg-1) or GFB-5 (1.43 × 109 CFU kg-1feed) through feed significantly improved growth, histological and hematological parameters and reproductive performances of B. gonionotus compared to untreated control. Moreover, the application of these probiotics significantly increased gut lactic acid bacteria and activities of digestive enzymes but did not show any antibiotic resistance nor any cytotoxicity in vitro. The highest beneficial effects on treated fishes were recorded by the application of GFB-1, GFB-2, GFB-3, and a consortium of these bacteria (T2). This is the first report of the improvement of growth and health of B. gonionotus fishes by its gut bacteria.

Effects of MC-LR on histological structure and cell apoptosis in the kidney of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a well-known hepatotoxin; however, increasing evidence suggests that it might induce kidney injury. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is one of the most important farmed species and may be affected by MC-LR releasing into waterbody during cyanobacterial bloom. Here, this present study aimed to explore the nephrotoxicity of grass carp by MC-LR. The grass carp received a single intraperitoneal injection of different doses of MC-LR (0, 25, 75, and 100 μg/kg body weight (BW)), and the kidneys were isolated at 24 and 96 h post-injection (hpi). Histopathological examination revealed kidney lesions, with severe hemorrhage, necrosis of the interstitium, and dilation of Bowman's capsule in the 75 and 100 μg MC-LR/kg BW groups. Under transmission electron microscopy, a larger number of swelling and vacuolated degeneration of mitochondria were observed; moreover, apoptotic features, such as condensed chromatin and shrinkage of cells, were observed in the 75 and 100 μg MC-LR/kg BW groups at 96 hpi. MC-LR significantly upregulated the number of apoptotic cells in the 75 and 100 μg/kg BW groups at 96 hpi as indicated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay (P < 0. 05). The results of quantitative assays showed that the mRNA expression of Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3 in grass carp kidney were significantly increased at 96 hpi in the 75 and 100 μg MC-LR/kg BW groups compared with that in the control group, but Bcl-2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in all the treatment groups at 24 and 96 hpi. Taken together, these results indicated that MC-LR damaged the kidney structure and resulted in renal apoptosis which may occur via the mitochondrial pathway.

Emerging contaminant 1,3,6,8-tetrabromocarbazole induces oxidative damage and apoptosis during the embryonic development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Since polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCs) have been widely detected at high concentrations in multiple environmental media in recent years, the health risk of exposure to these compounds has drawn increasing attention. Most studies have mainly focused on their dioxin-like toxicity, which is induced through the AhR pathway, because PHCs have structures similar to those of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). In addition, most xenobiotic compounds induce oxidative stress in organisms, which is a more common mechanism of toxicity induction. However, there is limited information regarding the oxidative stress and damage induced by PHCs in vivo. The PHC 1,3,6,8-tetrabromocarbazole (1368-TBCZ) is detected at high concentration and frequency. In the present study, the toxic effects (acute toxicity, developmental toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis) induced by 1368-TBCZ at three different concentrations were investigated using zebrafish embryos. It was concluded that the 96 h median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of 1368-TBCZ for zebrafish embryos was greater than 2.0 mg L^-1. The results showed that 1368-TBCZ had little effect on the hatching rate of zebrafish embryos. However, 1368-TBCZ at 0.5 and 2.0 mg L^-1 inhibited skeletal and cardiac development. It promoted ROS production, CAT enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and apoptosis, even at the lowest dose (0.1 mg L^-1). In addition, 1368-TBCZ influenced oxidative stress-related gene expression, upregulating the expression of caspase 3 and p53 at 2.0 mg L^-1 and inhibiting the expression of caspase 9, FoxO3b, and Bcl-2/Bax. The present study comprehensively evaluated 1368-TBCZ-induced toxicity in zebrafish, providing valuable data for better evaluation of the potential risks posed by this PHC.

Comparative analysis and gut bacterial community assemblages of grass carp and crucian carp in new lineages from the Dongting Lake area

Gut microbiota are known to play an important role in health and nutrition of the host and have been attracting an increasing attention. Farming of new lineages of grass carp and crucian carp has been developed rapidly as these species were found to outperform indigenous ones in terms of growth rate and susceptibility to diseases. Despite this rapid development, no studies have addressed the characteristics of their gut microbiota as a potential factor responsible for the improved characteristics. To reveal whether microbiomes of the new lineages are different from indigenous ones, and therefore could be responsible for improved growth features, intestinal microbiota from the new lineages were subjected to high-throughput sequencing. While the phyla Firmicutes, Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria were representing the core bacterial communities that comprised more than 75% in all fish intestinal samples, significant differences were found in the microbial community composition of the new linages versus indigenous fish populations, suggesting the possibility that results in the advantages of enhanced disease resistance and rapid growth for the new fish lineages. Bacterial composition was similar between herbivorous and omnivorous fish. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria was significantly higher in omnivores compared to that of herbivores, whereas Cetobacterium_sp. was abundant in herbivores. We also found that the gut microbiota of freshwater fish in the Dongting lake area was distinct from those of other areas. Network graphs showed the reduced overall connectivity of gut bacteria in indigenous fish, whereas the bacteria of the new fish lineage groups showed hubs with more node degree. A phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states inferred function profile showed several metabolic processes were more active in the new lineages compared to indigenous fish. Our findings suggest that differences in gut bacterial community composition may be an important factor contributing to the rapid growth and high disease resistance of the new fish lineages.

Effect of nitrite exposure on oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)

Nitrite is one of major environmental pollutants that can impact immunological parameters in aquatic organisms. In the present study, we investigated the effects of nitrite exposure on oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain). Mud crab were exposed to 0, 5, 10 and 15 mg L^-1 nitrite for 72 h. These data showed that acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity significantly decreased in treatments with various concentrations of nitrite (5, 10 and 15 mg L^-1) after 24 and 48 h, while the levels of nitric oxide (NO) significantly increased in these treatments. Nitrite exposure could suppress superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and increase the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) after 48 and 72 h of exposure. In addition, nitrite exposure decreased total haemocyte counts after 48 and 72 h of exposure. Cytological damage, DNA damage and apoptosis was observed obviously at 72 h after nitrite exposure. Moreover, nitrite exposure significantly induced the mRNA levels of phosphorylated Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and eventually activated p53 signaling and caspase-3. These results indicated that nitrite exposure could induce oxidative stress, which further caused DNA damage and apoptosis in mud crab. Our results will be helpful to understand the mechanism of nitrite toxicity on crustaceans.

Biofloc technology improves growth, innate immune responses, oxidative status, and resistance to acute stress in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) under high stocking density

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biofloc technology (BFT) on the performance of common carp under high stocking density. Fish (8.41 ± 0.44 g) were stocked into 12 tanks (70 L) in a 2 × 2 factorial design consisting of clear water (CW) and BFT systems at two stocking densities. Fish were divided into four groups according to culture system and stocking density: CW6 (clear water, 6 kg m^-3), CW12 (clear water, 12 kg m^-3), BFT6 (biofloc, 6 kg m^-3), and BFT12 (biofloc, 12 kg m^-3). After 49 days, the fish were exposed to acute crowding stress (40 kg m^-3) for 7 days to evaluate the fish performance to additional stressors. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration was significantly lower in BFT groups at the end of the trial. The growth of fish was significantly higher and the feed conversion ratio was lower in BFT groups. The final density of fish was highest in BFT12 group (25.41 ± 0.48 kg m^-3). The amylase and protease activities in BFT groups were significantly higher than the CW12 group. The highest serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, and malondialdehyde content (3.07 ± 0.16 nmol mg^-1 protein) were observed in CW12 group. Serum LDL, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, and albumin levels were significantly higher in CW6 and BFT6 groups, followed by BFT12 group, and lowest in CW12 group. Serum globulin level was lowest in CW12 group (0.68 ± 0.06 g dL^-1). After 49 days, serum lysozyme, alternative complement (ACH₅₀) and ALP activities were significantly higher and serum cortisol and glucose levels and ALT and AST activities were lower in BFT groups than the CW12 group. After 7 days of acute stress, serum lysozyme activities were significantly lower and ACH₅₀ and ALP activities were higher in BFT groups than the CW12 group. Also, fish in CW12 group were more sensitive to the acute stressor, showing higher cortisol and lower glucose levels. Overall, biofloc had the anti-stress effect, and the culture of common carp in the biofloc system at a stocking density of 12 kg m^-3 could be recommended. BFT can also exert beneficial effects on the welfare of fish subjected to acute stress.

Effect of acute exposure of triazophos on histological structure and apoptosis of the brain and liver of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Triazophos (TAP) has become a part of widespread pollutant of the aquatic environment due to its residue. Current study was designed to investigate the toxic effect of TAP at different doses (0.06, 0.3 and 1.5 mg/L) to the model organism of zebrafish (Danio rerio) by using multi-endpoint analysis in a 96 h acute exposure test. The direct observation that histological and ultrastructural alteration of zebrafish brain and liver were carried out via paraffin section in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. In addition, a series of methods were applied for exploring the physiological parameters related to cellular apoptosis. Results indicated that vacuolar structure after 96 h treatment with TAP were appeared in the molecular and granular layers of cerebellum. A large number of nuclear retraction, tissues vacuolation and cytoplasmic loss were observed in liver at histological level. From the fine structural level, the mitochondrial vacuolation and membrane damage of brain cells were found and the cristae of mitochondria disintegrated partly in hepatocytes. Onset of such histological structure alterations were one of the most intuitive reflection to TAP exposure, which needs to analyze biochemical alterations for further study. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) showed a downward trend in the brain and liver of zebrafish. Simultaneously, the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 increased after 96 h exposure with a concentration-dependent manner, which could be served as a suitable indicator of cellular apoptosis. Furthermore, apoptosis-related genes (Apaf-1, p53, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and caspase-9) transcription showed different alterations in response to the TAP treatment. These results indicated that TAP exposure led to apoptosis in zebrafish brain and liver and it was speculated that the apoptosis may occur through mitochondrial pathway. The present study demonstrated that the exposure of zebrafish to the insecticide TAP led to observe its effects at both histological structure and apoptosis level in liver and brain.

Proteomics for understanding pathogenesis, immune modulation and host pathogen interactions in aquaculture

Proteomic analyses techniques are considered strong tools for identifying and quantifying the protein contents in different organisms, organs and secretions. In fish biotechnology, the proteomic analyses have been used for wide range of applications such as identification of immune related proteins during infections and stresses. The proteomic approach has a significant role in understanding pathogen surviving strategies, host defence responses and subsequently, the fish pathogen interactions. Proteomic analyses were employed to highlight the virulence related proteins secreted by the pathogens to invade the fish host's defence barriers and to monitor the kinetics of protein contents of different fish organs in response to infections. The immune related proteins of fish and the virulence related proteins of pathogens are up or down regulated according to their functions in defence or pathogenesis. Therefore, the proteomic analyses are useful in understanding the virulence mechanisms of microorganisms and the fish pathogen interactions thereby supporting the development of new effective therapies. In this review, we focus and summarise the recent proteomic profiling studies exploring pathogen virulence activities and fish immune responses to stressors and infections.

Effects of different light spectra on embryo development and the performance of newly hatched turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) larvae

Light is a key environmental factor that synchronizes various life stages from embryo development to sexual maturation in fish. For turbot, light spectra have the most influence at the larval and juvenile stages. In the current study, differences in the development of embryos and the performance of newly hatched turbot larvae exposed to five different spectra: full spectrum (LDF), blue (LDB, peak at 450 nm), green (LDG, peak at 533 nm), orange (LDO, peak at 595 nm) and red (LDR, peak at 629 nm), were examined. At 62.8 h post fertilization, a higher number of embryos exposed to short-wavelengths (LDG and LDB) had developed a heartbeat in comparison with embryos exposed to other wavelengths. Larvae exposed to the green spectrum had higher malformation rates than larvae exposed to the other spectra, indicating that larvae exposed to green light may have significantly reduced survival rates. The results of non-specific immunity parameters showed that the mRNA expression levels of cathepsin D (CTSD), cathepsin F (CTSF), catalase (CAT) and metallothionein (MT) in larvae exposed to LDB were significantly higher than those exposed to other spectra, but CAT activity in larvae exposed to LDB was significantly lower than larvae exposed to the other spectra. There was no significant difference in MT activity in larvae exposed to the five different spectra. The mRNA expression level of lysozyme (LZM) in larvae exposed to LDR was significantly higher than other spectra, while there was no significant difference in LZM activity observed in larvae exposed to LDR, LDG, LDB and LDF. The difference of the enzyme activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) was not significant among larvae exposed to the five spectra. mRNA expression of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was significantly higher in newly hatched larvae exposed to LDB, LDR and LDG, indicating that larvae exposed to LDB, LDG and LDR exhibited a stress response. The mRNA expression level of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth parameters in the newly hatched larvae exposed to the different spectra were not significantly different. The results of the present study indicate that LDO and LDF should be used for embryo incubation and newly hatched larvae when rearing turbot. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing the incubation light environment for fertilized turbot eggs, promoting immunity and reducing stress responses in newly hatched larvae.

A New Isolate of Pediococcus pentosaceus (SL001) With Antibacterial Activity Against Fish Pathogens and Potency in Facilitating the Immunity and Growth Performance of Grass Carps

Probiotic-feeding continues to be a promising strategy to control the bacterial pathogens in aquaculture. A new Pediococcus pentosaceus strain (SL001) was isolated from 1000s of soil samples, which exhibited wide antimicrobial spectrum of against fish pathogens, involving Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas veronii, Aeromonas sobria, Edwardsiella tarda, Lactococcus garvieae, and Plesiomonas shigelloide. The challenge test against A. hydrophila showed that the survival rate of SL001-supplemented group was significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, SL001 could stably colonize in gut of grass carp and increased mucus-secreting goblet cells and extended intestinal villi could be observed in SL001-supplemented group (P < 0.05). Feeding with SL001 supplemented diet could significantly enhance the growth rate (P < 0.05) and markedly affect gut microbiota structure of grass carps, resulting in reduced potential pathogens and increased potential probiotics. Furthermore, feeding grass carps with SL001 caused the up-regulated expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1 and IGF-2) and down-regulated expression of myostatin (MSTN-1 and MSTN-2) (P < 0.05), which probably also account for the increased growth rate of SL001-fed group. Meanwhile, relative mRNA expression levels of immune-related genes in liver, spleen, and head kidney were analyzed in grass carps after feeding for 30 days with SL001 supplemented diets. In all three immune organs, the expression levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and complement 3 (C3) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), whereas the interleukin-8 (IL-8) was down-regulated (P < 0.05). Besides, whole genome sequencing revealed several probiotics properties of SL001, including organic acid synthesis, bacteriocin synthesis (coagulin), superoxide dismutase, and digestive enzymes. In conclusion, P. pentosaceus SL001 which could enhance immunity and promoter growth rate of grass carps, is prospective to be used as a dietary probiotic in freshwater fish aquaculture.

Effects of stocking density on growth, stress, and immune responses of juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) in a recirculating aquaculture system

The present study was to investigate the effects of stocking density on the welfare of juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for three months. Fish (average weight 760.86 g) were reared in triplicate under three densities: low density (4.80 kg m^-2), medium density (8.99 kg m^-2), and high density (12.68 kg m^-2). The results showed that the 12.68 kg m^-2 treatment significantly suppressed fish growth, gene expression of glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and enhanced serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, glucose, lactate levels, and the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA level (P < 0.05). Additionally, the 12.68 kg m^-2 treatment significantly decreased serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and increased the formation of malondialdehyde (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM), lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase activities showed a significant decline in this group (P < 0.05). Transcriptions of immune-related genes, including lysozyme, hepcidin antimicrobial peptide 1 (HAMP1), tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ), interleukin 1β, and interleukin 8 significantly reduced in the 12.68 kg m^-2 group (P < 0.05). In the somatotropic axis, both the serum values and gene expressions of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) resulted in a down-regulation in the 12.68 kg m^-2 group (P < 0.05). Overall, these results suggest that high stocking density could negatively influence the growth, stress, and immune responses of juvenile Chinese sturgeon. Consequently, the appropriate stocking density recommended for culturing juvenile Chinese sturgeon in an RAS is between 4.80 kg m^-2 and 8.99 kg m^-2.

Transcriptome profile in bursa of Fabricius reveals potential mode for stress-influenced immune function in chicken stress model

BACKGROUND

The molecular mechanisms underlying stress-influenced immune function of chicken (Gallus Gallus) are not clear. The stress models can be established effectively by feeding chickens corticosterone (CORT) hormone. The bursa of Fabricius is a unique central immune organ of birds. RNA-Seq technology was used to investigate differences in the expression profiles of immune-related genes and associated pathways in the bursa of Fabricius to clarify molecular mechanisms. The aim of this study was to broaden the understanding of the stress-influenced immune function in chickens.

RESULTS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the bursa of Fabricius between experimental group (basal diet with added CORT 30 mg/kg; C_B group) and control group (basal diet; B_B group) were identified by using RNA-seq technology. In total, we found 1434 significant DEGs (SDEGs), which included 199 upregulated and 1235 downregulated genes in the C_B group compared with the B_B group. The immune system process GO term was the top significantly GO term, including MYD88, TLR4, IL15, VEGFA gene and so on. The cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway were the key pathways affected by stress. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of the SDEGs showed that VEGFA, MyD88 and IL15 were hub genes and module analysis showed that MYD88, TLR4 and VEGFA play important roles in response to stress.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the VEGFA and ILs (such as IL15) via the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, MYD88 and TLR4 via the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway may play important roles in the regulation of immune function under stress condition with CORT administration. The results of this study provide a reference for further studies of the molecular mechanisms of stress-influenced immune function.