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PubMed2026

Effects of Acalypha australis L. Extract on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Microbial Composition in Weaned Piglets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Acalypha australis L. extract (ALE) on the growth performance and intestinal health in piglets. A total of 24 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group (CON), which was fed a basal diet, and the ALE0.5 and ALE1.0 groups, which were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg of ALE, respectively. The measured variables included growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota and metabolites. The results showed that, compared to the CON group, supplementation of 1.0 g/kg ALE in the diets of weaned piglets significantly increased the ratio of gain to feed from 15 to 21 days (p < 0.05), decreased the diarrhea rate from Days 15 to 21 and Days 0 to 21 (p < 0.05), and increased the activities of pancreatic α-amylase, lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, as well as duodenal α-amylase, lipase, and trypsin, and jejunal maltase and sucrase (p < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation of 1.0 g/kg ALE in the diet significantly improved the intestinal morphology of the duodenum and jejunum, as well as the expression of intestinal barrier-related genes in the small intestine (p < 0.05). Moreover, it significantly increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity and jejunal and ileal superoxide dismutase activities (p < 0.05), and also significantly increased the colonic propionic acid concentration of piglets (p < 0.05). The ALE supplementation increased the abundance of the colonic marker bacteria Collinsella in the piglets and influenced pathways related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism. ALE can serve as a potential natural feed additive to regulate the structure of intestinal microbiota and metabolic pathways, enhance antioxidant capacity, improve intestinal health, reduce diarrhea incidence, and ultimately promote the growth performance of piglets.

Acalypha australis L. extract↗

PubMed2026

Optimization of a niosomal formulation for Quercetin delivery: Comparative effects on growth performance, antioxidant and immune responses, and disease resistance against Streptococcus iniae in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Quercetin (QUR) is a flavonoid with antibacterial and antioxidant properties that has been studied for its effects on fish health and the immune system. Due to the low bioavailability of QUR, the present study was primarily aimed at developing a niosomal formulation of QUR to enhance its bioavailability and therapeutic properties. The performance of niosomal QUR was then compared with that of its free form by evaluating their effects on the growth and immune system of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. For this purpose, an optimal QUR-containing niosome was formulated by testing different proportions of cholesterol, surfactant, and stabilizer, and the niosomes were then added to the fish diet. A QUR-free diet and a diet containing QUR-free niosomes (QFN) were considered control groups. Niosomes prepared at low hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values showed higher QUR entrapment efficiency (QUR-EE%) (P < 0.01). An increase in the molar ratio of cholesterol to surfactant significantly reduced QUR-EE% (P < 0.05). A surfactant/cholesterol/stabilizer ratio of 1:1:0.1 increased QUR-EE% (P < 0.05). The particle size of the niosomes was also affected by HLB and the surfactant/cholesterol/stabilizer ratio. Low HLB values resulted in smaller particle sizes (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a surfactant/cholesterol/stabilizer ratio of 1:1:0.1 resulted in the smallest niosomal particle size (P < 0.05). The presence of diacetyl phosphate as the stabilizer in the formulation improved the niosomal zeta potential to -40.55 mV. The optimal niosomal formulation (HLB = 6.6; surfactant/cholesterol/stabilizer ratio of 1:1:0.1) remained stable at 2 °C over 10 days of storage, as the niosomal QUR content and size did not show significant changes during this period (P > 0.01). After preparation of the diets containing the optimal niosomal QUR, fish were fed the experimental diets for two months. QUR, in both niosomal and free forms, resulted in better growth performance than the QUR-free diets (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in growth performance between the free and niosomal forms of QUR; however, 500 mg/kg QUR showed significantly better growth performance than 250 mg/kg QUR (P < 0.01). Although both the niosomal and free forms of QUR enhanced immune and antioxidant components in the fish, the effects of the niosomal form were more significant (P < 0.01). In addition, QUR in both free and niosomal forms reduced fish mortality after challenge with Streptococcus iniae. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the niosomal form of QUR has strong potential for improving the immune system of fish and increasing resistance to S. iniae infection.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Isoquinoline alkaloids enhance growth performance through multifaceted modulation of the bacterial-fungal microbiome, CAZyme profiles, gut health, and neuroendocrine function in broilers.

The bacterial-fungal microbiome and its carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) capacity play critical roles in regulating gut health and growth performance in broiler chickens. This study evaluated the effects of dietary isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on growth performance, gut microbiome composition, CAZyme profiles, and the microbiome-gut-neuroendocrine axis in broilers. A total of 400 Ross 308 (1-day-old) chicks were randomly assigned to either a Basal diet (CON) or IQ supplemented diet (IQ). Dietary IQ supplementation significantly increased final body weight and cumulative body weight gain (P < 0.0001) and improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Intestinal permeability was reduced (lower FITC-dextran; P < 0.05), accompanied by increased serotonin and serotonin-to-corticosterone ratio and decreased corticosterone (P < 0.05). Expression of inflammatory genes (TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-4, and TLR-1) was downregulated (P < 0.05). Microbiome analysis showed increased α-diversity (P < 0.05) and clear β-diversity separation (PERMANOVA, P < 0.001), with enrichment of beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia muciniphila, Lactobacillus salivarius, Turicibacter sanguinis, Bacillus subtilis) and suppression of fungal taxa (Aspergillus, Penicillium). CAZyme-related pathways involved in lignin and carbohydrate degradation were increased (P < 0.05). Microbial diversity was negatively correlated with inflammation and gut permeability, whereas network analysis identified 164 significant associations (|ρ| ≥ 0.50), revealing strong negative correlations between beneficial bacteria and inflammatory markers (ρ = -0.65 to -0.78) and positive associations for fungal taxa (ρ = 0.62-0.81). Serotonin was positively associated with microbial diversity (ρ = 0.63-0.70). In conclusion, IQ supplementation promotes a bacteria-dominant and metabolically active microbiome, reduces inflammation and intestinal permeability, and improves neuroendocrine balance, collectively enhancing gut health and growth performance in broiler chickens.

Bacteriome↗

PubMed2025

Construction of a Core Germplasm and Identification of Candidate SNPs Associated with Growth Performance of Epinephelus tukula by Whole-Genome Resequencing.

Epinephelus tukula is an economically important aquaculture animal, and a major parent in grouper crossbreeding. To better preserve and exploit E. tukula germplasm resources, a core collection (containing 34 individuals derived from 10 genetic groups) was first constructed based on phenotypic growth traits and whole-genome resequencing (WGS) data. The phenotypic traits of the individuals within the core collection were not significantly different from those in the original collection, suggesting effective representativeness of the core collection. Additionally, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) of E. tukula to identify candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with growth traits, to facilitate the improvements in the growth performance of this species. Twenty-six significant SNPs were identified, scattered among multiple chromosomes. Five SNPs were confirmed to be correlated with growth in another new group of 101 individuals. Based on the annotation results, these five SNPs were located in CCDC102A, NTRK2, CTSL, OTOF, and nestin, and were involved in cell development, differentiation and proliferation, glycolytic metabolism, neurological development, and myoblast differentiation. Our findings not only provide an effective basis for the conservation and utilization of E. tukula germplasm resources, but also promote the development of marker-assisted selection of E. tukula.

Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide↗

PubMed2026

Dietary soybean or seaweed (Kappaphycus sp.) modulates taste-related gene (tas1r1 and tas1r2.2) expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Taste perception plays a central role in fish feeding behaviour by influencing feed recognition, intake, and nutrient sensing. As aquaculture increasingly adopts plant-based ingredients to replace fishmeal, understanding how these diets affect gustatory mechanisms is critical. This study evaluated TAS-family taste receptor genes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed nutritionally formulated diets containing fishmeal (TFM), soybean meal (TSB), red seaweed (Kappaphycus sp., TSW), alongside a natural meal (TNM) reference. Fish were reared for 62 days under controlled conditions, after which growth performance was evaluated, and tongue transcriptomes were analysed using RNA sequencing to identify diet-associated gene expression changes. Candidate TAS1R and TAS2R receptors were identified through conserved domain screening and phylogenetic validation, and differential expression analysis was performed using DESeq2. Growth performance did not differ significantly among diets, although the soybean group showed the highest weight gain. Under the conditions of this study, most taste-related genes remained transcriptionally stable across formulated diets, indicating limited responsiveness of the gustatory system to ingredient substitution. Transcriptional differences were mainly observed in comparisons involving the TNM (TSB vs TNM and TSW vs TNM), where tas1r1 was upregulated, suggesting altered amino acid sensing relative to the non-formulated diet. Among formulated diets, tas1r2.2 was upregulated in the TSW vs TFM comparison, indicating potential modulation of carbohydrate-related taste pathways associated with seaweed inclusion. No reliable TAS2R transcripts were detected, likely due to low expression or tissue-specific distribution. Overall, taste receptor expression in Nile tilapia appears resilient to dietary variation, with selective modulation of TAS1R genes providing molecular insight into chemosensory adaptation to sustainable feed ingredients.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Harnessing probiotics to combat nonylphenol toxicity: a multiomics approach of gut microbiome remodelling in Silurus meridionalis.

BACKGROUND: As a ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptor, nonylphenol (NP) threatens aquatic organisms, driving the need for sustainable mitigation strategies. While probiotics represent promising eco-friendly supplements, their molecular mechanisms against NP toxicity remain unclear. In this study, S. meridionalis received 7-week of probiotic (Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus) pretreatment followed by 15 days of NP exposure. Integrated metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses, with Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT‒qPCR) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) validation, were performed to elucidate microbial, genetic and metabolic responses. Growth performance, including the specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain rate (WGR), was concurrently assessed. RESULTS: NP exposure significantly suppressed WGR and SGR, and induced gut microbiota dysbiosis alongside and lipid metabolism disorders in S. meridionalis. Probiotic pretreatment effectively reversed these toxic effects and restored the inhibited WGR and SGR. Multiomics integration revealed that the protective effects of probiotics were mediated by a coherent "microbe-host" co-metabolism network across 3 progressive layers: (1) Microbial Remodelling: in which beneficial taxa (e.g., Bacteroides eggerthii and Cetobacterium sp.) were enriched, and the functional capacity for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis and ethanolamine metabolism was enhanced; (2) Host Gene Regulation: in which key lipid metabolism genes (ek1, cept1, ept1, mogat2, and abcg2a) were upregulated, and lipase activity was restored; and (3) Metabolic Pathway Activation and Physiological Repair: in which the activity of the NP-suppressed Kennedy pathway was reactivated, thereby promoting phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis and ultimately restoring gut barrier function. These results were further were corroborated by RT‒qPCR and ELISA. CONCLUSION: This study systematically elucidated that probiotics alleviated NP toxicity by remodelling a "microbiota-host Kennedy pathway gene-metabolite (PE and PC)-growth performance" regulatory network. The key mechanism is the beneficial microbiota activating the host Kennedy pathway and restoring gut phospholipid homeostasis and barrier function. These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing targeted, lipid metabolism focused probiotic feed additives for use in sustainable aquaculture.

Probiotics↗

PubMed2025

Impact of L-citrulline on meat production and quality: A study on its effects on meat attributes and nutritional composition.

BACKGROUND: Amino acids are fundamental in sustaining physiological homeostasis during stress conditions. l-citrulline (l-Cit), a non-essential amino acid (NEAA) and metabolic precursor of arginine, has been reported to exert beneficial effects on the health and performance of broiler chickens. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with varying inclusion levels of l-Cit on growth performance, meat quality, plasma biochemical indices, and thermoregulatory responses in broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 120 one-day-old chickens of the Lohman meat (Indian River) strain were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, and each treatment included 30 birds in 3 replicates each. A 7-day feeding trial was conducted, beginning at 21 days of age. The control group (T0) was fed only a basal diet, while l-Cit was administered through the drinking water at concentrations of 0.5 % (T1), 0.75 % (T2), and 1.0 % (T3) to the respective treatment groups, in addition to the basal diet. RESULTS: Dietary inclusion of l-Cit significantly affected broiler performance and physiology. The T2 group demonstrated the highest body weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with T0, T1, and T3 (p < 0.05). Organ development was increased in T2, with significant increases in bursa, heart, and liver indices, alongside reduced abdominal fat (p < 0.05). Meat quality improved through reduced drip loss and elevated muscle pH, particularly in T2. Plasma biochemical analysis showed lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL in all l-Cit groups, with optimal in T2 (p < 0.05), while HDL and uric acid remained unaffected. Moreover, rectal temperature decreased significantly across l-Cit groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, this study suggests that a diet supplemented with 0.75 % l-Cit (T2), which could be a promising amino acid without affecting meat quality or consumer preferences, may improve growth performance, meat quality, the lipid profile (blood plasma), and thermoregulation in broilers.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Multi-omics integration uncovers adaptive responses of stomach and pyloric ceca to artificial feed in mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi).

The mandarin fish, as an obligate piscivore, is highly dependent on live bait, which restricts its intensive aquaculture. Although domestication has enabled it to partially accept formulated diets, the tissue-specific molecular adaptation mechanisms of its digestive tract to artificial feed remain unclear. In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of mandarin fish fed with live bait or artificial diet for three weeks, combining growth performance evaluation, gastric histology, and paired transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the stomach and pyloric ceca. AD feeding significantly improved growth performance, while histological examination revealed marked hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa and disorganized fold structures. Transcriptomic analysis identified 5065 and 3381 differentially expressed genes in the stomach and pyloric ceca, respectively. In the stomach, the artificial diet induced a glutathione-dependent antioxidant response, accompanied by glycolytic reprogramming and coordinated upregulation of genes in the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction signaling pathway, including those encoding collagen, laminin, and integrin. In the pyloric ceca, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation were broadly suppressed, whereas glycosaminoglycan degradation and lysosomal pathways were activated. Metabolomic analysis showed that gastric metabolites were enriched in vascular and inflammatory mediator pathways, while metabolites in the pyloric ceca were enriched in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling, sphingolipid signaling, and steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways. Following artificial diet feeding, integrated multi-omics analysis of the stomach revealed significant enrichment of pathways such as phospholipase D signaling, sphingolipid signaling, and arachidonic acid metabolism, accompanied by the accumulation of key metabolites including sphingosine-1-phosphate, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, and cellobiose. Integrated analysis of the pyloric ceca identified significantly altered pathways, including sphingolipid metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism, along with elevated levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate, sphingosine galactoside, and 9-hydroxy-12-oxo-10,15-octadecadienoic acid, as well as decreased glutathionylspermidine. These findings systematically unveil the tissue-specific molecular adaptation characteristics of the mandarin fish digestive tract in response to artificial feed, providing an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of dietary adaptation in carnivorous fish and for optimizing artificial feed formulations.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Influence of creatine pyruvate on newly received cattle: insights from metagenomics and metabolomics.

Transport stress is a critical factor affecting the health and growth performance of beef cattle, potentially leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. Creatine pyruvate (CrPyr), as a potential stress alleviator, has unclear mechanisms of action. We monitored the growth of 17 Simmental calves (control, n = 8; CrPyr, n = 9) over 30 days post-transportation, collecting rumen and blood samples on days 1/4, and 30. This study aims to investigate the effects of CrPyr on the growth performance, rumen microbiome, and metabolome of calves subjected to transport stress. Results showed that CrPyr increased average daily gain and antioxidant capacity, while reducing the level of stress hormones and inflammation. In the 4 days post-transport, CrPyr mainly increases Ruminococcus abundance to boost ruminal nitrogen metabolism, providing substrates for microbial protein synthesis. CrPyr also provides energy for the proliferation of Ruminococcus by regulating ATP synthesis genes (ATPVC) and enriching purine metabolism products. Meanwhile, it strengthens the host's amino acid metabolism, especially aspartate, to enhance antioxidative capacity. By day 30, CrPyr primarily boosts Prevotella abundance to regulate VFA synthesis, supplying host energy. It regulates the ATP synthesis gene ATPF0A and enriches purine metabolism products, supporting Prevotella growth. Increased citric acid and ATP levels further aid host growth. The findings distinctly demonstrate that the mechanisms by which CrPyr alleviates transport stress through the regulation of the rumen microbiome and metabolome, and confirms that its effects are time-dependent. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of stress-alleviation strategies based on CrPyr and hold significant implications for enhancing the health and production performance of beef cattle.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Proteomic insights into hepatic responses to high soybean meal inclusion with citric acid supplementation in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) juveniles.

This study evaluated the growth performance and hepatic proteomic responses of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) juveniles fed diets containing 30% or 40% soybean meal (SBM), with or without 3% citric acid supplementation, and compared with a fishmeal (FM) control diet over a 10-week feeding trial. Fish fed 30% SBM (LSBM) showed a final body weight comparable to the FM group, whereas fish fed 40% SBM (HSBM) recorded significantly reduced growth and net protein utilization (NPU) (p < 0.05). Supplementation of citric acid in the 40% SBM diet (HSBM + CA) significantly improved NPU and partially restored growth relative to HSBM. LC-MS/MS based quantitative proteomics identified 1544 hepatic proteins and showed clear dietary segregation. Differentially expressed proteins were predominantly associated with reduced abundance of proteins involved in lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and the tricarboxylic cycle across all SBM diets, suggesting a shift in oxidative metabolic capacity. In contrast, LSBM induced upregulation of spliceosome-associated proteins and RNA processing components, suggesting adaptive post-transcriptional regulation under moderate SBM inclusion. In contrast, HSBM exhibited greater reduction in metabolic protein abundance without comparable upregulation of adaptive regulatory components, coinciding with reduced nutrient retention. Protein-protein interaction analysis further confirms the correlation between the regulation of spliceosomal clusters and mitochondrial lipid-catabolic modules. Citric acid supplementation did not markedly reverse hepatic metabolic protein changes but improved protein retention. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD081994. These findings suggest a tolerance limit between 30% and 40% SBM inclusion, with 30% inducing adaptive hepatic proteomic responses compatible with maintained growth performance.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Multi-omics integrative analysis provides insight into potential molecular responses to sustained high water flow in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cultured in recirculating aquaculture.

To investigate the potential molecular responses by which water flow intensity affects the growth of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), a control group (CG, actual water velocity 0.3 cm/s) and three sustained flow treatment groups were established, including a low-flow group (LF, 1 body length per second, bl/s), a medium-flow group (MF, 2 bl/s), and a high-flow group (HF, 3 bl/s). After 12 weeks of culture in the RAS, growth performance was compared among groups under different flow intensities. The best-performing group and the control group were then selected for the determination of intestinal digestive enzyme activities, as well as transcriptomic and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analyses of muscle tissue. The results showed that the specific growth rate and feed intake of the HF group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in feed conversion ratio was observed among groups. Compared with the CG group, lipase activity was significantly higher in the HF group (P < 0.05), while α-amylase and trypsin activities showed increasing trends without significant differences. RNA-seq identified a total of 273 differentially expressed genes, including 72 upregulated genes and 201 downregulated genes in the HF group relative to the CG group. These genes were mainly enriched in glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, ATP metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, the insulin signaling pathway, the PPAR signaling pathway, and the adipocytokine signaling pathway, indicating that sustained high water flow induced a muscle transcriptional response characterized by remodeling of energy metabolism and substrate utilization. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analysis showed that DNA methylation in common carp muscle occurred predominantly in the CpG context. Differentially methylated regions between the HF and CG groups were mainly distributed in transcription-related regulatory regions, including promoters, CpG islands, and CpG island shores. In promoter regions, the number of hypermethylated regions in the HF group relative to the CG group was markedly higher than that of hypomethylated regions. Integrated analysis further identified two candidate genes showing both promoter differential methylation and differential expression, namely LOC109094644 and bcorl1, suggesting that adaptation to high water flow may involve IGF-related growth regulation and remodeling of upstream transcriptional programs. The qPCR results were consistent with the transcriptomic data. Taken together, within the tested range, a sustained water flow of 3 bl/s was more conducive to the growth of common carp in the RAS, which may be associated with enhanced lipid digestion and utilization, remodeling of the muscle energy metabolic network, changes in promoter methylation, and the coordinated regulation of key candidate genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for clarifying the exercise adaptation mechanism of common carp in recirculating aquaculture and for optimizing flow velocity parameters.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Supplementation with effective microorganisms in earthen ponds affects common carp growth and abundance of specific bacterial families.

BACKGROUND: Effective microorganisms are increasingly explored in aquaculture to improve fish health and growth without leaving harmful residues. However, their efficacy in real-world pond environments remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted a 103-day field experiment to assess the effects of supplementation with two effective commercial microorganism products on the microbial communities and growth performance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). BACKGROUND: Effective microorganisms were added to the feed and directly to the pond water. Microbial diversity was analysed via 16 S rRNA and whole-genome shotgun sequencing across three environments: water (three time points), sediment (two time points), and fish intestine (one time point) from 25 experimental ponds. Bioinformatics processing was performed using the QIIME2 and MG-TK pipelines with taxonomic classification based on the SILVA database. The results showed that although supplemented bacterial families did not establish significantly in pond environments, fish exposed to specific effective microorganism treatments showed improved growth metrics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that effective microorganisms can increase carp growth in aquaculture without significantly altering the resident microbial communities, suggesting a promising residue-free alternative to traditional additives in aquaculture.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Fasting-refeeding regimes induce compensatory growth and muscle transcriptomic remodeling in juvenile Qihe gibel carp (Carassius gibelio var. Qihe).

Compensatory growth, an important adaptive response in fish, holds considerable potential for improving feeding efficiency in aquaculture. To identify an optimal fasting-refeeding strategy for juvenile Qihe gibel carp (Carassius gibelio var. Qihe) and to clarify the mechanisms underlying the compensatory growth, we divided two-month-old fish into four groups, namely S0 group (continuous feeding for 28 days), S2 group (4 cycles of 2-day fasting followed by 5-day refeeding), S4 group (fasting for 4 days followed by refeeding for 24 days), and S8 group (fasting for 8 days followed by refeeding for 20 days), then growth performance, muscle tissue morphology, biochemical responses, and muscle transcriptomic profiles under different feeding regimes were investigated. After a 28-day aquaculture experiment, fish in the S4 group exhibited significantly greater body length and weight than those in the S0, S2, and S8 groups, indicating over-compensatory growth. Histological analysis further showed that muscle growth in the S4 group was mainly associated with myofiber hyperplasia. Different feeding regimes also induced distinct changes in hepatic antioxidant and metabolic enzyme activities, as well as intestinal digestive enzyme activities. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling pathway was significantly enriched during compensatory growth. Key genes, including serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (sgk1) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (irs1), were predicted to play important roles in this process. Overall, these results indicate that fasting for 4 days followed by refeeding for 24 days (the S4 regime) is the optimal strategy for inducing compensatory growth in juvenile Qihe gibel carp. This study provides new insights into the morphological, physiological, and molecular basis of compensatory growth and offers a scientific foundation for developing efficient and sustainable feeding strategies for this species.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Sea urchin co-culture boosts abalone growth by reducing environmental stress and remodeling gut microbiota.

Biofouling and microenvironmental deterioration are major bottlenecks restricting the intensive aquaculture of Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). While co-culturing offers an eco-friendly mitigation strategy, the underlying mechanisms promoting abalone growth remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the growth performance of H. d. hannai co-cultured with varying densities of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius). By employing transcriptome and 16S rRNA sequencing of the abalone gut, we investigated the synergistic responses of host gene expression and gut microbiota. Compared with the monoculture group, the co-culture groups showed significantly less biofouling and greater growth of abalone, with the co-culture (n = 15) exhibiting the best outcomes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 1444, 760, and 508 DEGs in G5, G10, and G15, respectively, compared with G0. These DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and sterol metabolism, indicating a shift in intestinal energy metabolism from stress defense toward growth under co-culture conditions. Gut microbiota profiling identified Proteobacteria and Firmicutes as the dominant phyla, with specific functional taxa (e.g., Psychrilyobacter and Akkermansia) enriched in a density-dependent manner. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated that growth traits positively correlated with growth-promoting taxa (e.g., the unclassified AB1 lineage), but negatively correlated with potentially opportunistic taxa (e.g., Tabrizicola). These findings provide insights into a potential synergistic mechanism of "environmental stress alleviation-metabolic reprogramming-microecological remodeling" driving abalone growth, providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing co-culture systems and developing growth-associated biomarkers.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Large-scale low-coverage whole-genome sequencing reveals the genetic architecture of wool and growth traits in fine-wool sheep.

Breeding sheep with superior growth performance and wool quality is essential for the sustainability of the fine-wool sheep industry. In this study, we perform low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (lcWGS) on 3842 individuals from 5 sheep breeds (4 fine-wool and 1 semi-fine wool) and generate a large genomic dataset. By comparing these breeds with coarse-wool sheep, we characterize the genomic landscape and selection signatures of fine-wool sheep. We identify several known functional genes associated with hair follicle development and skin morphology, including EGFR, KRT74, EDAR, EREG, and GLI2. Furthermore, GWAS of 19 traits identifies 156 candidate genes significantly associated with growth and wool characteristics, including LCORL for body size, EGFR for clean wool yield, and PRDM1 for fiber diameter. Notably, EGFR is detected in both GWAS and selection signature analyses, indicating its important role in phenotype formation and historical selection. Overall, our findings reveal the genetic basis of growth and wool traits in fine-wool and semi-fine wool sheep, highlight EGFR, LCORL, and PRDM1 as candidate genes, and provide valuable genomic resources and candidate markers for future functional validation and molecular breeding.

Body size↗

PubMed2026

Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Growth-Related Traits in Indoor- and Outdoor-Cultured Juvenile Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Grass carp is a key herbivorous freshwater fish, yet long-term inbreeding reduces growth rates. Current genome-wide association studies (GWAS) primarily focus on a limited range of growth traits, while intestinal morphology is likely to emerge as a promising new proxy for both growth performance and health status. We reared juvenile grass carp from one batch in indoor vs. natural aquatic vegetation groups for 100 days, measuring body weight (BW), length (BL), height (BH), and intestinal length (IL) in 200 individuals (100/group). Phenotypic differences were significant for all traits, with IL most variable. GWAS identified 95 significant SNPs, among which 21 were related to multiple traits. Candidate gene and KEGG pathway analyses linked these SNPs to myogenesis, skeletal development, immunity, calcium signaling, and stress resistance. Twelve SNPs were found to be associated with IL, including 8 multi-trait-related and 4 trait-specific ones. This suggests that IL can serve as a supplementary growth trait. There was no overlap with prior GWAS, but recurrent signals on chromosomes 1, 2, 14 (BW) and 2, 3, 14, 24 (BH) merit further study. Our findings enrich molecular resources for grass carp and highlight IL's potential for marker-assisted breeding.

Ctenopharyngodon idella↗

PubMed2026

Low-salinity stress alters growth, histology, physiology, and transcriptomic profiles of the gills and antennal glands in Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Salinity is a major abiotic constraint in freshwater aquaculture of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, yet the coordinated roles of the gills and antennal glands, the two primary osmoregulatory organs in decapod crustaceans, under low-salinity stress remain poorly characterized. Here, we integrated histological, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses to characterize the adaptive responses of M. rosenbergii to acute (96 h) and chronic (8 weeks) exposure to salinity 5. Chronic low-salinity stress significantly impaired growth performance and decreased the survival rate. Acute stress induced thinning of the gill filaments, partial disorganization of pillar cells, and dilation of the intermicrovillar space in the antennal glands, whereas chronic stress caused gill vacuolization, cuticle thinning, and adaptive folding of antennal gland microvilli. In parallel, acute exposure significantly decreased hemolymph sodium and potassium ion concentrations but increased magnesium ion concentration, whereas chronic exposure increased hemolymph sodium and potassium ion concentrations, upregulated gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and enhanced hepatopancreatic antioxidant capacity. Transcriptomic analyses revealed distinct tissue-specific responses. Under acute stress, the gills preferentially activated pathways associated with cytoskeletal remodeling, motor proteins, and tight junctions, whereas chronic acclimation shifted the transcriptional response toward the renin-angiotensin system and glutathione metabolism. In the antennal glands, acute stress rapidly activated the renin secretion pathway, whereas chronic exposure promoted membrane remodeling by enriching pathways related to lipid and glycan metabolism. These findings reveal tissue-specific functional differentiation and synergistic coordination between the gills and antennal glands that underpin M. rosenbergii's adaptive response to low-salinity stress.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Pre-transport dietary chitosan improves the physiological robustness of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) by modulating antioxidant and inflammatory responses.

The acute stress caused by long-distance transport can lead to oxidative damage, immune dysfunction, and health deterioration in fish. This study evaluated dietary chitosan as a pre-transport nutritional strategy for juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Five experimental diets contained chitosan at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0 g/kg, designated as p0, p25, p50, p75, and p100, respectively, for 56 d. The effects of dietary chitosan were evaluated using growth performance, feed utilization, digestive function, antioxidant capacity, nonspecific immunity, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Then, fish from the p0 and p50 groups underwent a 12-h transport stress test, with samples collected before, during, and 7 d after transport. Dietary chitosan improved most of these parameters. Among the treatment groups, p50 and p75 showed the best overall performance. The dose-response analysis further indicated that the appropriate dietary inclusion range was 5.0-7.5 g/kg. Under transport stress, fish in the p50 group exhibited more stable antioxidant enzyme responses and lower lipid peroxidation, as indicated by reduced MDA levels. Consistent with these enzyme responses, antioxidant-related genes remained relatively stable. At the same time, expression patterns related to the Nrf2-Keap1 and NF-κB signaling pathways suggested that 5.0 g/kg chitosan alleviated transport-induced oxidative damage and inflammation. Dietary chitosan also attenuated pro-inflammatory gene induction and altered the temporal expression patterns of anti-inflammatory genes. Overall, 5.0-7.5 g/kg dietary chitosan is suitable for juvenile largemouth bass, and 5.0 g/kg may serve as an effective pre-transport dietary inclusion level.

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