A native strain of Bacillus subtilis increases lipid accumulation and modulates expression of genes related to digestion and amino acid metabolism in Litopenaeus vannamei.

In the field of shrimp aquaculture, the utilization of probiotics represents a promising avenue, due to the well-documented benefits conferred by these microorganisms. In the current study, a Bacillus subtilis strain, referred to as strain E, was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and subsequently identified via molecular methods and phylogeny. The probiotic potential of strain E was characterized, and its application as a feed shrimp additive was evaluated in a 45-day experiment. Several parameters were assessed, including zootechnical performance, muscle tissue proximate composition, hepatopancreas lipid concentration, and the expression of genes associated with digestion, amino acid metabolism, and antioxidant defense mechanisms in various shrimp tissues. Although no significant impact on zootechnical performance was observed, supplementation with strain E led to an increase in lipid concentration within both muscle and hepatopancreas tissues. Furthermore, a marked decrease in the expression of genes linked to digestion and amino acid metabolism was noted. These findings suggest that the addition of the B. subtilis strain E to shrimp feed may enhance nutrient absorption and modulate the expression of genes related to digestion and amino acid metabolism.

Transcriptomic and Histological Analysis of the Greentail Prawn (Metapenaeus bennettae) Following Light Crude Oil Exposure.

Oil spills pose a significant threat to marine biodiversity. Crude oil can partition into sediments where it may be persistent, placing benthic species such as decapods at particular risk of exposure. Transcriptomic and histological tools are often used to investigate the effects of hydrocarbon exposure on marine organisms following oil spill events, allowing for the identification of metabolic pathways impacted by oil exposure. However, there is limited information available for decapod crustaceans, many of which carry significant economic value. In the present study, we assess the sublethal impacts of crude oil exposure in the commercially important Australian greentail prawn (Metapenaeus bennettae) using transcriptomic and histological analyses. Prawns exposed to light, unweathered crude oil "spiked" sediments for 90 h were transferred to clean sediments for a further 72 h to assess recovery. Chemical analyses indicated that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons increased by approximately 65% and 91% in prawn muscle following 24 and 90 h of exposure, respectively, and significantly decreased during 24- and 72-h recovery periods. Transcriptomic responses followed an exposure and recovery pattern with innate immunity and nutrient metabolism transcripts significantly lowered in abundance after 24 h of exposure and were higher in abundance after 72 h of recovery. In addition, transcription/translation, cellular responses, and DNA repair pathways were significantly impacted after 24 h of exposure and recovered after 72 h of recovery. However, histological alterations such as tubule atrophy indicated an increase in severity after 24 and 72 h of recovery. The present study provides new insights into the sublethal impacts of crude oil exposure in greentail prawns and identifies molecular pathways altered by exposure. We expect these findings to inform future management associated with oil extraction activity and spills. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2162-2180. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Immune gene expression and antioxidant response to vitamin E enriched diets for males Litopenaeus vannamei breeder (Boone, 1931).

The is aim of this study was to evaluate if vitamin E supplementation to diet could improve the spermatic quantity and quality in males of Litopenaeus vannamei. A basal diet with 171.5 mg/kg (included in commercial vitamin premix) and experimental diets with 3 concentrations of vitamin E: 620 (diet A), 1069 (diet B) and 1517 (diet C) mg/kg were tested by 30 days. 500 L tanks were set up for each treatment, and seven males were set in each tank. Circulant cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), glucose, total protein was measured. Sperm quantity and quality were classified as normal, abnormal, or dead. In reproductive tract was measured the activity and differential expression lipid soluble antioxidant system (LSAS) and of immune genes system. The higher sperm quantity was obtained in A diet and decreased in shrimp fed B and C diets (p < 0.05). Males fed diets B and C presented a higher activity and relative expression of lipid system oy suggesting oxidative stress. A significant increment of prophenol oxidase (proFo) and α-2-macroglobulin (α-2 M) transcripts were observed in males fed C diet (p < 0.05). All these variables were present in males with low sperm amount and low hemocyanin gene expression (p < 0.05). Therefore, diet A supplemented with 620 mg/kg vitamin E could benefit males L. vannamei broodstock, taking a count the sperm quantity and all the lipid and immune genes response.

Nemo-like kinase (NLK) gene regulates apoptosis via the p53 signaling pathway in Litopenaeus vannamei under low-temperature stress.

The Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an important serine/threonine-protein kinase in many signaling pathways. However, its function in crustaceans, such as shrimps, is still poorly understood and needs to be further explored. In the present study, the full-length cDNA of NLK from Litopenaeus vannamei (LvNLK) was cloned. The full-length LvNLK cDNA has 2497 bp, including an open reading frame (ORF) of 1524 bp encoding a protein with 507 amino acids and a predicted molecular mass of 56.1 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that LvNLK shared high similarities with NLK from other known species. Low-temperature stress markedly upregulated the expression of LvNLK. Its overexpression in hemocytes suppressed the expression of BCL2-associated X (Bax) and tumor protein P53 (p53) in vitro. Meanwhile, the BCL2 apoptosis regulator (Bcl-2), MDM2 proto-oncogene (MDM2), and Yin Yang 1 (YY1) were upregulated. Moreover, LvNLK silencing in vivo increased the susceptibility of shrimps to low-temperature stress. The generation of ROS and the rate of hemocyte apoptosis also increased when LvNLK was silenced. Additionally, qPCR results indicated that LvNLK might participate in apoptosis via the p53 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. These results suggested that LvNLK is indispensable for the environmental adaptation of L. vannamei. Our current findings also demonstrated that NLK is evolutionarily conserved in crustaceans and provided insights into the environmental adaptation of invertebrates.

Digestibility of insect meals for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and their performance for growth, feed utilization and immune responses.

This study was conducted to examine digestibility of insect meals for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and their utilization as fish meal substitutes. The tested insect meals were mealworm, silkworm, black soldier fly, rice grasshopper, two-spotted cricket, dynastid beetle and white-spotted flower chafer. Apparent digestibility coefficients of the tested insect meals were 83-89% for protein, 91-98% for lipid, 84-90% for energy, 77-81% for dry matter, 28-36% for chitin, 76-96% for amino acids and 89-93% for fatty acids. The amino acid availability of insect meals was high in taurine (93-96%), arginine (91-95%) and lysine (90-95%). Availability of fatty acids were 89-93% for saturated fatty acids, 90-93% for monounsaturated fatty acids and 88-93% for polyunsaturated fatty acids. For a feeding trial, a control diet was formulated using 27% tuna byproduct meal as a fish meal source and seven other diets were prepared replacing 10% tuna byproduct meal in the control diet with each insect meal. Triplicate groups of shrimp (initial body weight: 0.17 g) were fed the diets for 65 days. The growth performance was significantly improved when the shrimp were fed black soldier fly or dynastid beetle included diet. Dietary supplementation of insect meals significantly improved non-specific immune responses and antioxidant enzyme activity in the shrimp. These results indicate that the tested insect meals have high potentials to be used as a protein source that could replace fish meal in diets for the shrimp.

Therapeutic effect and immune mechanism of chitosan-gentamicin conjugate on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

To explore the disease resistance mechanism of chitosan conjugates, chitosan-gentamicin conjugate (CS-GT) was synthesized and systematically characterized, the immune mechanism of CS-GT on Litopenaeus vannamei infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus was further explored. The results showed that imine groups in CS-GT were effectively reduced. Dietary supplementation of CS-GT can significantly increase the survival rate, total hemocyte counts, the antioxidant and immune related enzyme activity levels of shrimps (P < 0.05), which are all dose-dependent under the experimental conditions. In addition, CS-GT can protect the hepatopancreas from invading bacteria and alleviate inflammation. Particularly, CS-GT promotes the expressions of legumain (LGMN), lysosomal acid lipase (LIPA) and Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) up-regulated. It is speculated that CS-GT may stimulate the lysosome to phagocytose pathogens more effectively. In conclusions, shrimps fed with CS-GT can produce immune response via lysosome and greatly improve the disease resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Creatine improves the flesh quality of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in freshwater.

Creatine improves flesh quality on mammalian but studies on crustaceans are scarce. In the present study, diets with six levels of creatine (1.23, 2.58, 5.12, 8.28, 14.12, 24.49 g kg-1 diet) were hand-fed to juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (IBW: 1.50 ± 0.02 g) reared in freshwater for 46 days. Results showed creatine supplementation did not affect the growth performance (FBW: 17.04 ± 1.28 g) or the content of guanidinoacetic acid in muscle and hepatopancreas whereas significantly increased muscular creatine content. Diet with 8.28 g kg-1 creatine significantly increased muscular hardness and chewiness by decreasing myofiber diameter and increasing myofiber density. Additionally, creatine downregulated the mRNA expression of fast sMyHC1, sMyHC2, sMyHC6a and upregulated slow sMyHC5 and sMyHC15 mRNA expression. Muscular protein, collagen, total amino acid and flavor amino acid contents increased with creatine supplementation. In conclusion, the diet with 8.28 g kg-1 creatine improved the flesh quality of L. vannamei.

Ethanolic guava leaf extracts with different chlorophyll removal processes: Anti-melanosis, antibacterial properties and the impact on qualities of Pacific white shrimp during refrigerated storage.

Ethanolic guava leaf extract (EGLE) without chlorophyll removal (GLE-C) and those with chlorophyll removal using sedimentation process (GLE-S) or dechlorophyllization using chloroform (GLE-Ch) were prepared. Antibacterial and anti-melanosis properties of all extracts were examined. All extracts showed promising antibacterial properties, polyphenoloxidase inhibitory activity and copper chelating activity. These activities were highest in GLE-S (P < 0.05). Piceatannol 4'-galloylglucoside, epicatechin, 8-hydroxyluteolin 8-sulfate, quercetin 3-(2''-galloyl-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside), and aclurin 3-C-(6''-p-hydroxybenzoyl-glucoside) were dominant in GLE-S. When Pacific white shrimp were treated with GLE-S at different concentrations (0.5 and 1%), the quality changes were monitored compared to those treated with 1.25% sodium metabisulphite (SMS-1.25) and the control (without any treatment) during 12 days of storage at 4 °C. Changes in microbial and chemical qualities were lower in shrimps treated with GLE-S solution as compared to others. Therefore, melanosis and quality deterioration were effectively reduced by pretreating shrimps in GLE-S before refrigerated storage.

Improvement of growth, intestinal short-chain fatty acids, non-specific immunity and ammonia resistance in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed dietary water-soluble chitosan and mixed probiotics.

This study was to explore the impacts of water-soluble chitosan and mixed probiotics on growth performance, intestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and immunity and ammonia resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp were fed one of four experimental diets including basal diet (CON), 0.10% water-soluble chitosan diet (WSC), 0.30% mixed probiotics (MP) and 0.10% water-soluble chitosan +0.30% mixed probiotics (SYN) for 8 weeks. Results showed shrimp fed with dietary MP and SYN diets could significantly improve growth performance and feed utilization in comparison with those of shrimp fed with CON diet (P < 0.05). Acetic acid content was significantly higher in shrimp fed with all supplemented diets compared to that in shrimp fed with CON diet (P < 0.05). Compared to shrimp fed with CON diet, dietary WSC and MP significantly influenced the contents and/or activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lysozyme (LZM) in serum, SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA), acid phosphatase (ACP) in hepatopancreas and SOD and MDA in intestine. In addition, the gene expression levels of prophenoloxidase (proPO), penaiedin 3a (Pen-3a), crustin (Crustin), serine proteinase (SP), GPX and SOD in hepatopancreas, were significantly upregulated compared to those in CON diet at some time points (P < 0.05). Significantly higher survival rate in all supplemented diets were observed after ammonia challenge (P < 0.05). Therefore, the above results indicated dietary WSC and MP or SYN could enhance intestinal SCFAs content, stimulated antioxidant capacity and immune response, and increase the ammonia resistance of Litopenaeus vannamei. Besides, the growth performance was also improved by dietary MP and SYN.

Changes in growth performance, aflatoxin B1 residues, immune response and antioxidant status of Litopenaeus vannamei fed with AFB1-contaminated diets and the regulating effect of dietary myo-inositol supplementation.

This study aimed to investigate if myo-inositol (MI) supplementation could alleviate adverse effects caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) with respect to growth performance, AFB1 residues, immune response and antioxidant status of Litopenaeus vannamei. 800 shrimp (initial weight: 1.1 g) were divided into five groups: MI0 (basal diet); MI0 + LA, MI0 + HA, MI200 + LA and MI200 + HA fed with AFB1-contaminated diets (LA, low concentration AFB1; HA, high concentration AFB1; MI200, adding 200 mg MI kg-1 diet). The results showed that HA significantly decreased growth performance, systemic inositol content and lipid content. AFB1 residues were detected in the hepatopancreas of shrimp, but not the muscle. Histological lesions were observed in MI0 + LA and MI0 + HA groups. HA supplementation raised malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content and reduced some antioxidant enzyme activities and immune-related genes expression, which was slightly ameliorated by MI supplementation. Our results suggest that myo-inositol may slightly mitigate negative impacts caused by AFB1 in L. vannamei.

Effects of feeding level and C/N ratio on water quality, growth performance, immune and antioxidant status of Litopenaeus vannamei in zero -water exchange bioflocs-based outdoor soil culture ponds.

Two trials were conducted as follows: the first trial was a 90-day experiment to determine the effects of reducing feeding level on shrimp status; the second trial (90 days) is based on the first trial to explore the suitable C/N ratio of biological flocs for shrimp culture in outdoor soil ponds. Results showed that the BFV levels increased gradually and then tended to be stable in the treatment groups. Concentrations of TAN and NO2-N were maintained low level in each treatment pond during experimental period. The final body weight, biology body length and yield of the shrimp in each trial with no significantly different (P > 0.05) while food coefficient and THC of the shrimp in 70% feeding level and C/N12 treatment were slightly lower than in the 100% feeding level and C/N16 treatment respectively (p < 0.05). The antibacterial activity and bacteriolytic activity in C/N16 treatment group were higher than in C/N12 (p < 0.05), while there were no significant difference between the two feeding levels (70%,100%) (P > 0.05). The shrimp in 70% feeding level and C/N12 treatment had the higher T-AOC in both the plasma and the hepatopancreas when compared with 100% feeding level and C/N16 treatment group (p < 0.05). The SOD activity of plasma in 70% treatment group was higher than in 100% (p < 0.05), while it was no significant difference between the two C/N ratios (12,16) in both the plasma and the hepatopancreas (P > 0.05). The effects of two feeding levels and C/N ratios on the GSH level and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in the plasma and the hepatopancreas of shrimp showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The results showed that 70% feeding level and C/N12 ratio could provide adequate nutrition for shrimp to maintain a normal physical health status with the presence of bioflocs.

Probiotic, Bacillus subtilis E20 alters the immunity of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei via glutamine metabolism and hexosamine biosynthetic pathway.

The purpose of this study was to profile the mechanisms of action of probiotic, Bacillus subtilis E20 in activating the immunity of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Two groups of shrimp were studied. One group was fed a control diet without probiotic supplementation and the other was fed a probiotic-containing diet at a level of 109 cfu kg diet-1. After the 8-week feeding regimen, the metabolite composition in the hepatopancreas of shrimp were investigated using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) based metabolomic analysis. Results from the 1H NMR analysis revealed that 16 hepatopancreatic metabolites were matched and identified among groups, of which 2 metabolites, creatinine and glutamine were significantly higher in probiotic group than in the control group. This result was confirmed by the reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and spectrophotometric analysis. Transcriptome analysis indicated the expressions of 10 genes associated with antioxidant enzymes, pattern recognition proteins and antimicrobial molecules, more active expression in the shrimp fed a diet supplemented with probiotic as compared to that of shrimp in control. In addition, the expressions of 4 genes involved with hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-peptide N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase for protein O-glycosylation were also higher in hepatopancreas of probiotic-treated shrimp than in shrimp fed a control diet. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that heat shock factor 1, heat shock protein 70, and protein O-glycosylation in hepatopancreas were higher in probiotic group than the control group. These findings suggest that probiotic, B. subtilis E20 promotes the digestibility of glutamine in the diet, and that the increased glutamine in shrimp can be used as fuel for immune cells or may be used to regulate immune molecule expressions and protein O-glycosylation via the HBP to increase protein O-glycosylation, thereby improving the health of shrimp.

Beneficial effects of dietary ß-glucan on growth and health status of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity.

An 8-week trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary ß-glucan supplement (0, 0.01%, 0.02%, or 0.04%) on growth and health of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity of 3 practical salinity unit (psu). The L. vannamei fed 0.02% and 0.04% ß-glucan gained more weight and showed higher activities of protease, amylase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in the intestine than in the control (0% ß-glucan). The L. vannamei fed 0.04% ß-glucan had a higher condition factor than those fed the control diet. Amylase activity in the hepatopancreas of L. vannamei fed 0.02% ß-glucan was higher than those fed the control diet. Dietary ß-glucan supplement increased the mRNA expressions of Toll-like receptor, myostatin, immune deficiency or heat shock protein 70, but decreased the mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α and C-type lectin 3 in both hepatopancreas and intestine. The response of intestine microbiota in L. vannamei fed 0.04% ß-glucan was further compared to the control. The 0.04% ß-glucan supplement reduced richness and diversity of the intestinal microbial community as indicated by the low values of Chao1 estimator, ACE estimator, Simpson index and Shannon diversity index. Abundances of Bacillus, Chitinibacter, Geobacillus and Vibrio in the intestine increased, while Flavobacterium, Microbacterium and Mycobacterium decreased significantly in L. vannamei fed 0.04% ß-glucan compared to the control. This study indicates that dietary ß-glucan supplement at 0.02%-0.04% can significantly improve digestibility, antioxidant capacity and immunity in L. vannamei, and thus improve growth performance and survival at low salinity. These beneficial effects of ß-glucan probably are related to the dominance of probiotics over potential pathogens in the intestine.

Changes in growth performance, haematological parameters, hepatopancreas histopathology and antioxidant status of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed oxidized fish oil: Regulation by dietary myo-inositol.

A 58-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary myo-inositol (MI) supplementation on growth performance, haematological parameters, hepatopancreas histopathology and antioxidant status of Litopenaeus vannamei fed with oxidized fish oil (OFO). Control diet contained fresh fish oil (FFO) without MI supplementation. The other four diets contained two oxidation levels of OFO (peroxide value: 133.2 and 268.7 meq kg-1) with or without 200 mg MI kg-1 diets (MI0+L, MI0+H, MI200 + L and MI200 + H). Results showed that OFO-supplemented groups (without MI supplementation) showed better growth performance and lower whole-body inositol content when opposed to control group. MI supplementation significantly improved whole-body inositol content in high-oxidized fish oil (HOFO) groups, and also reduced whole-body lipid in low-oxidized fish oil (LOFO) groups. Moreover, Supplementation of OFO and MI markedly hit the fatty acid profile of muscle. HOFO caused severe histopathological changes in hepatopancreas of shrimp, which slightly alleviated by MI supplementation. MI supplementation also grew the total protein (TP) content and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and decreased the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of serum in OFO-supplemented groups. Ingestion of OFO increased levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in serum or hepatopancreas, which partly ameliorated by MI supplementation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes exhibited different expression patterns because of OFO and MI. In addition, HOFO markedly increased mRNA expression levels of antioxidant genes including ferritin (FT), thioredoxin (Trx), GPX, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) and decreased peroxiredoxin (Prx) expression, in which expression of GPX and Prx were increased owing to MI supplementation. Therefore, it suggested that dietary OFO stimulated growth performance, but also induced oxidative stress and caused impairment to hepatopancreas in L. vannamei. The negative impact brought about by OFO was partially mitigated by dietary MI supplementation.

Effects of Dietary Clostridium butyricum on the Growth, Digestive Enzyme Activity, Antioxidant Capacity, and Resistance to Nitrite Stress of Penaeus monodon.

The present study investigated the effects of the dietary probiotic Clostridium butyricum (CB) on the growth, intestine digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant capacity and resistance to nitrite stress, and body composition of Penaeus monodon. For 56 days, shrimps were fed diets containing different levels of C. butyricum (1 × 109 CFU g-1), 0% (control), 0.5% (CB1), 1.0% (CB2), and 2.0% (CB3), as treatment groups, followed by an acute nitrite stress test for 48 h. The results indicated that dietary supplementation of C. butyricum increased the growth of shrimp in the CB2 and CB3 groups. The survival rate of shrimp increased after nitrite stress for 24 and 48 h. The intestine amylase and trypsin activities increased in all three C. butyricum groups, while the lipase activity was only affected in the CB3 group. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) and ferritin gene expression levels were increased in the intestines of shrimps cultured under normal conditions for 56 days, while the catalase (CAT) activity was not changed and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was only increased in the CB2 and CB3 groups. After exposure to nitrite stress for 24 and 48 h, the intestine antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activity and gene (hsp70 and ferritin) expression levels in the three C. butyricum groups were higher than those of the control. C. butyricum had no effects on the whole body composition of the shrimp. These results revealed that C. butyricum improved the growth as well as enhanced the intestine digestive enzyme and antioxidant activities of P. monodon against nitrite stress, and C. butyricum may be a good probiotic for shrimp aquaculture.

Dietary replacement of fish-meal impaired protein synthesis and immune response of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity.

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of fish-meal replacement on growth performance, protein synthesis and immune response of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei reared at low salinity (7‰). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels (25, 20, 15, 10 and 5%) of fish-meal. High quality alternative solutions were performed, crystalline amino acids, phytase, mannan oligosaccharides and some micro-nutrients were supplemented in the low fish-meal diets. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate tanks, each tank with 30 shrimp (mean weight 0.3 g), the shrimp were fed 3 times a day. Weight gain and survival were decreased with the decreasing dietary fish meal levels. When dietary fish-meal decreased, the gene expression of TOR, Raptor and eIF4E2 in hepatopancreas were decreased with the decreasing fish meal levels, eIF4E2 in intestine was decreased while 4E-BP was increased with the decreasing fish meal levels. The mRNA level of SOD in hepatopancreas decreased, and the expression of GPx and CAT increased with the decreasing FM levels. The Toll pathway was affected by dietary FM levels, the expression of Toll2, TNFSF, MyD88, Rho and p38 in intestine were increased with the decreasing FM levels. The results indicated that at low salinity condition, fish meal level lower than 15% would inhibit the protein synthesis and harm to the health of shrimp.

Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Gene Expression, Immunity, and ATP Levels in Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

With the emergence of several infectious diseases in shrimp aquaculture, there is a growing interest in the use of feed additives to enhance shrimp immunity. Recently, the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a non-protein amino acid that plays a rate-limiting role in heme biosynthesis, has received attention for its positive effect on immunity in livestock animals. To evaluate the effect of 5-ALA in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, we conducted microarray analysis, a Vibrio parahaemolyticus immersion challenge test, an ATP level assay, and gene expression analysis of some hemoproteins and genes associated with heme synthesis and degradation. Out of 15,745 L. vannamei putative genes on the microarray, 101 genes were differentially expressed by more than fourfold (p < 0.05) between 5-ALA-supplemented and control shrimp hepatopancreas. 5-ALA upregulated 99 of the 101 genes, 41 of which were immune- and defense-related genes based on sequence homology. Compared to the control, the 5-ALA-supplemented group had a higher survival rate in the challenge test, higher transcript levels of porphobilinogen synthase, ferrochelatase, catalase, nuclear receptor E75, and heme oxygenase-1 and higher levels of ATP. These findings suggest that dietary 5-ALA enhanced the immune response of L. vannamei to V. parahaemolyticus, upregulated immune- and defense-related genes, and enhanced aerobic energy metabolism, respectively. Further studies are needed to elucidate the extent of 5-ALA use in shrimp culture.

Enhancement of immune response and resistance against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) by dietary supplementation of ß-1,4-mannobiose.

Supplementation of prebiotic carbohydrates can act as a potent immunomodulator and have the efficacy to induce immune-related genes which are involved in host defense. Pure ß-1,4-mannobiose (MNB) showed activation of prophenoloxidase system of shrimp hemocytes in vitro. The resistance of kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus against Vibrio parahaemolyticus was examined after the shrimp were fed with 0 (control), 0.02, 0.2, and 2% MNB supplemented diets. The results showed significantly higher survival rates in MNB supplemented shrimp than those of the control one from 2 to 12 days post challenge. In another experiment, the hemocyte count, ROS production, phagocytic, phenoloxidase and bactericidal activities, and expression of immune-related genes were investigated in the control and MNB supplemented groups at day 1, 4, 6, 8 and 11 of the feeding. These immune parameters were significantly enhanced in MNB supplemented groups. Furthermore, the gene expression analysis showed that transcripts of lysozyme, crustin, penaeidin and TNF were significantly up-regulated in hemolymph, lymphoid organs and intestines of MNB treated shrimp. Overall, the results provided evidence that MNB supplementation could improve the immune response and increase shrimp resistance against V. parahaemolyticus infection.

Effects of Dietary Lactobacillus plantarum on Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes and Gut Morphology of Litopenaeus vannamei.

A 15-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Lactobacillus plantarum on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and gut morphology of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (initial body weight = 7.96 ± 0.59 g). Four microbound diets were formulated to contain fermentation supernatant (FS), live bacteria (LB), dead bacteria (DB), and cell-free extract (CE) of L. plantarum. Results indicated that final weight was significantly higher in FS, DB, and CE group in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). The maximum weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the CE diet group were significantly higher than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The FCR of CE diet group was lower than that of the control, LB, DB, and FS diets groups (P < 0.05). The highest digestive enzyme activities (amylase, lipase, and pepsin activity) in the hepatopancreas and gut of shrimp were observed in the CE diet group. Histological study revealed that dietary CE diet could significantly increase the enterocytes height of shrimp. The administration of cell-free extract of L. plantarum could effectively improve the growth performance of L. vannamei via the improvement of digestive enzyme activities and the enterocytes height of shrimp. The results of this study will be essential to promote application of probiotics in shrimp aquaculture.

A sulfated galactans supplemented diet enhances the expression of immune genes and protects against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in shrimp.

A sulfated galactans (SG) supplemented diet was evaluated for the potential to stimulate immune activity in shrimp Penaeus vannamei (P. vannamei). Shrimp given the SG supplemented diet (0.5, 1 and 2% w/w) for 7 days showed enhanced expression of the downstream signaling mediator of lipopolysaccharide and ß-1,3-glucan binding protein (LGBP) and immune related genes including p-NF-κB, IMD, IKKß and IKKε, antimicrobial peptide PEN-4, proPO-I and II. Following immersion with Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) for 14 days, the shrimp given the SG supplemented diet (1 and 2% w/w) showed a decrease in bacterial colonies and bacterial toxin gene expression, compared to shrimp given a normal diet, and they reached 50% mortality at day 14. However, shrimp given the normal diet and challenged with the bacteria reached 100% mortality at day 6. SG-fed shrimp increased expression of immune genes related to LGBP signaling at day 1 after the bacterial immersion compared to control (no immersion), which later decreased to control levels. Shrimp on the normal diet also increased expression of immune related genes at day 1 after immersion which however decreased below control levels by day 3. Taken together, the results indicate the efficacy of the SG supplemented diet to enhance the immune activity in shrimp which could offer protection from V. parahaemolyticus infection.