Special Issue "The Future of Aquaculture Research"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2022.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Esmail Lutfi
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
Interests: aquaculture, fish physiology; nutrition; metabolism; obesity; adipose tissue; omega 3; experimental cell research
Dr. Emilio J. Vélez
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Interests: endocrinology; fish physiology; aquaculture; growth; myogenesis; growth hormone; insulin-like growth factors; exercise; muscle; pituitary

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquaculture has undergone extensive development in recent decades due to the great efforts of researchers and producers. Nowadays, the consumers’ pressure demanding more quantity and higher quality products, emphasizes the need for novel approaches in aquaculture research that can guarantee increased production while maintaining more efficient and sustainable practices. In this step, the role of emerging scientific talents bringing new technologies will be essential to meet this challenge.
This Special Issue seeks to make a compendium of the novel approaches and emerging frontiers that can contribute to the progress of research and production practices in aquaculture. Researchers are encouraged to submit their papers on new analytical tools, innovative solutions, and novel approaches for diet formulation, diagnosis, and sustainable production, among other topics. Review articles focusing on new insights and recent contributions to aquaculture research are also welcome.

Dr. Esmail Lutfi
Dr. Emilio J. Vélez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Aquaculture
  • Alternative fish ingredients
  • Innovation in aquaculture
  • Aquatech
  • Disease prevention
  • Environmental management
  • Young talents

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Article
RNA-Seq-Based Analysis of Cortisol-Induced Differential Gene Expression Associated with Piscirickettsia salmonis Infection in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Myotubes
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082399 - 13 Aug 2021
Viewed by 509
Abstract
Salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS) is the major infectious disease of the Chilean salmonid aquaculture industry caused by Piscirickettsia salmonis. Intensive farming conditions generate stress and increased susceptibility to diseases, being skeletal muscle mainly affected. However, the interplay between pathogen infection and stress [...] Read more.
Salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS) is the major infectious disease of the Chilean salmonid aquaculture industry caused by Piscirickettsia salmonis. Intensive farming conditions generate stress and increased susceptibility to diseases, being skeletal muscle mainly affected. However, the interplay between pathogen infection and stress in muscle is poorly understood. In this study, we perform an RNA-seq analysis on rainbow trout myotubes that are pretreated for 3 h with cortisol (100 ng/mL) and then infected with P. salmonis strain LF-89 for 8 h (MOI 50). Twelve libraries are constructed from RNA samples (n = 3 per group) and sequenced on Illumina HiSeq 4000. A total of 704,979,454 high-quality reads are obtained, with 70.25% mapped against the reference genome. In silico DETs include 175 total genes—124 are upregulated and 51 are downregulated. GO enrichment analysis reveals highly impacted biological processes related to apoptosis, negative regulation of cell proliferation, and innate immune response. These results are validated by RT-qPCR of nine candidate transcripts. Furthermore, cortisol pretreatment significantly stimulated bacterial gene expression of ahpC and 23s compared to infection. In conclusion, for the first time, we describe a transcriptomic response of trout myotubes infected with P. salmonis by inducing apoptosis, downregulating cell proliferation, and intrinsic immune-like response that is differentially regulated by cortisol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Aquaculture Research)
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Article
Diet and Exercise Modulate GH-IGFs Axis, Proteolytic Markers and Myogenic Regulatory Factors in Juveniles of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082182 - 23 Jul 2021
Viewed by 726
Abstract
The physiological and endocrine benefits of sustained exercise in fish were largely demonstrated, and this work examines how the swimming activity can modify the effects of two diets (high-protein, HP: 54% proteins, 15% lipids; high-energy, HE: 50% proteins, 20% lipids) on different growth [...] Read more.
The physiological and endocrine benefits of sustained exercise in fish were largely demonstrated, and this work examines how the swimming activity can modify the effects of two diets (high-protein, HP: 54% proteins, 15% lipids; high-energy, HE: 50% proteins, 20% lipids) on different growth performance markers in gilthead sea bream juveniles. After 6 weeks of experimentation, fish under voluntary swimming and fed with HP showed significantly higher circulating growth hormone (GH) levels and plasma GH/insulin-like growth-1 (IGF-1) ratio than fish fed with HE, but under exercise, differences disappeared. The transcriptional profile of the GH-IGFs axis molecules and myogenic regulatory factors in liver and muscle was barely affected by diet and swimming conditions. Under voluntary swimming, fish fed with HE showed significantly increased mRNA levels of capn1, capn2, capn3, capns1a, n3, and ub, decreased gene and protein expression of Ctsl and Mafbx and lower muscle texture than fish fed with HP. When fish were exposed to sustained exercise, diet-induced differences in proteases’ expression and muscle texture almost disappeared. Overall, these results suggest that exercise might be a useful tool to minimize nutrient imbalances and that proteolytic genes could be good markers of the culture conditions and dietary treatments in fish. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Aquaculture Research)
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Article
Musculoskeletal Growth Modulation in Gilthead Sea Bream Juveniles Reared at High Water Temperature and Fed with Palm and Rapeseed Oils-Based Diets
Animals 2021, 11(2), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020260 - 21 Jan 2021
Viewed by 684
Abstract
The upward trend of seawater temperature has encouraged improving the knowledge of its consequences on fish, considering also the development of diets including vegetable ingredients as an approach to achieve a more sustainable aquaculture. This study aims to determine the effects on musculoskeletal [...] Read more.
The upward trend of seawater temperature has encouraged improving the knowledge of its consequences on fish, considering also the development of diets including vegetable ingredients as an approach to achieve a more sustainable aquaculture. This study aims to determine the effects on musculoskeletal growth of: (1) a high-water temperature of 28 °C (versus 21 °C) in gilthead sea bream juveniles (Sparus aurata) fed with a diet rich in palm oil and, (2) feeding the fish reared at 28 °C with two other diets containing rapeseed oil or an equilibrated combination of both vegetable oils. Somatic parameters and mRNA levels of growth hormone-insulin-like growth factors (GH-IGFs) axis-, osteogenic-, myogenic-, lipid metabolism- and oxidative stress-related genes in vertebra bone and/or white muscle are analyzed. Overall, the data indicate that high-water rearing temperature in this species leads to different adjustments through modulating the gene expression of members of the GH-IGFs axis (down-regulating igf-1, its receptors, and binding proteins) and also, to bone turnover (reducing the resorption-activity genes cathepsin K (ctsk) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (mmp9)) to achieve harmonic musculoskeletal growth. Moreover, the combination of palm and rapeseed oils seems to be the most beneficial at high-water rearing temperature for both balanced somatic growth and muscular fatty acid uptake and oxidation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Aquaculture Research)
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Article
Combination of Freezing, Low Sodium Brine, and Cold Smoking on the Quality and Shelf-Life of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) Fillets as a Strategy to Innovate the Market of Aquaculture Products
Animals 2021, 11(1), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010185 - 14 Jan 2021
Viewed by 550
Abstract
Aquaculture is playing a leading role in both meeting the growing demand for seafood and increasing the sustainability of the fish production sector. Thus, innovative technologies that improve its sustainability, competitiveness, and safety are necessary for growth in the sector. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Aquaculture is playing a leading role in both meeting the growing demand for seafood and increasing the sustainability of the fish production sector. Thus, innovative technologies that improve its sustainability, competitiveness, and safety are necessary for growth in the sector. This study aimed to develop cold smoked sea bass fillets from aquaculture. The aptitude of frozen and fresh fillets for cold smoking was investigated by processing both fresh and thawed fillets kept previously at −20 °C for 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. Moreover, to develop a low-salt product, fillets were immersed in low-sodium or standard brine. Sensory, biochemical, and physical-chemical analyses were performed on both the raw fillets and the smoked fillets during vacuum packaged storage for 35 days at 1 ± 0.5 °C. Young modulus values, representative of texture and sensory evaluation, showed that the quality of fresh fillets was better compared to the thawed ones, thus affecting the quality of the final product as the correlation between parameters showed (principal component analysis). Cold smoking was effective in both maintaining the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) below the threshold for spoilage and preventing lipid peroxidation. Moreover, partial sodium replacement by potassium did not alter the sensory attributes of smoked fillets, which maintained high scores up to 21 days. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Aquaculture Research)
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Review

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Review
Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Muscle Plasticity in Fish
Animals 2021, 11(1), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010061 - 30 Dec 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 766
Abstract
Growth rates in fish are largely dependent on genetic and environmental factors, of which the latter can be highly variable throughout development. For this reason, muscle growth in fish is particularly dynamic as muscle structure and function can be altered by environmental conditions, [...] Read more.
Growth rates in fish are largely dependent on genetic and environmental factors, of which the latter can be highly variable throughout development. For this reason, muscle growth in fish is particularly dynamic as muscle structure and function can be altered by environmental conditions, a concept referred to as muscle plasticity. Myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) like Myogenin, MyoD, and Pax7 control the myogenic mechanisms regulating quiescent muscle cell maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation, critical processes central for muscle plasticity. This review focuses on recent advancements in molecular mechanisms involving microRNAs (miRNAs) and DNA methylation that regulate the expression and activity of MRFs in fish. Findings provide overwhelming support that these mechanisms are significant regulators of muscle plasticity, particularly in response to environmental factors like temperature and nutritional challenges. Genetic variation in DNA methylation and miRNA expression also correlate with variation in body weight and growth, suggesting that genetic markers related to these mechanisms may be useful for genomic selection strategies. Collectively, this knowledge improves the understanding of mechanisms regulating muscle plasticity and can contribute to the development of husbandry and breeding strategies that improve growth performance and the ability of the fish to respond to environmental challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Aquaculture Research)

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Musculoskeletal growth modulation in gilthead sea bream juveniles fed with palm and rapeseed oils reared at high water temperature
Authors: Sara Balbuena-Pecino 1; Natàlia Riera-Heredia 1; Esther Gasch-Navalón 1; Albert Sánchez-Moya 1; Ramon Fontanillas 2; Joaquim Gutiérrez 1; Isabel Navarro 1; Encarnación Capilla 1*
Affiliation: 1 Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; 2 Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre, 4016 Stavanger, Norway.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine whether a high temperature (28 versus 21ºC) in gilthead sea bream juveniles fed with a diet rich in palm oil or, three substituted fish oil diets with palm, rapeseed or a combination of both oils, on fish reared at high temperature (28ºC) may influence musculoskeletal development. Somatic parameters and mRNA levels of GH/IGF axis-, osteogenic-, myogenic- and oxidative stress-related genes in bone and/or muscle were analyzed. Overall, the combination of both oils seems to be the most beneficial in terms of promoting an optimum endocrine status in a situation of elevated temperature.

Title: Farming fish cells: the use of primary cell cultures for aquaculture research
Authors: Emilio J. Vélez 1; Esmail Lutfi 2
Affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada; 2 Nofima (Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research), P.O. Box 210, Ås 1432, Norway
Abstract: Primary cell cultures are a valuable research tool to study the regulation of many physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, immune responses, and stress, in aquaculture relevant species. They can also be used to screen nutrients, feed additives, and bioactive compounds, providing basic insights into important nutritional and physiological aspects that can be directly transferred to improve fish farming practices. In this regard, the present review aims to revisit the knowledge on the potential contribution of primary cell cultures to the future of aquaculture.

Title: Understanding the Direct Actions of Growth Hormone on Rainbow Trout Muscle
Authors: Ross M. Reid 1; Serhat Turkman 1; Beth Cleveland 2; Peggy R. Biga 1*
Affiliation: 1 Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA; 2 National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, USDA, ARS, Leetown, WV USA
Abstract: This study assessed local growth hormone (GH) action in rainbow trout myotubes, in vitro. To evaluate local action, the expression of target genes involved in regulating autophagy, proliferation, differentiation, and growth in muscle tissue were analyzed via qPCR. In addition, to evaluate GH action in the absence of IGF-1 signaling, a cell culture fasting model was used. In normally fed muscle culture cells, GH increased the expression of myf-5, myogenin, and pax7a2, and this signaling was not mediated through JAK/STAT or MEK/ERK pathways. In fasted muscle cells, GH treatment only increased ghr1 expression, which was attenuated when JAK2 was inhibited. This suggests that GH can directly regulate the expression of its own receptor and is mediated by JAK/STAT signaling. Interestingly, when JAK2 was inhibited, regardless of fed or fasted status, the expression levels of genes important in regulating cell survival and quiescence were upregulated: fbxo32, pax7a1, pax7a2, mstn-1a, mstn-1b, and mstn-2a. These data demonstrate that GH can regulate local gene expression and that JAK/STAT signaling likely regulates satellite cell proliferation and renewal in trout.

Title: Molecular characterization of three key LC-HUFA synthesis genes and their expressions in response to dietary LC-HUFA levels in juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)
Authors: Qingjun Wu; Zhi Zheng; Chuijin Wang; Wang Yao; Yuejia Sun; Yujie Gao
Affiliation: Department of Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Abstract: Elovl4, Elovl5 and FADS2 play crucial role in marine fish species for the long-chain highly polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) biosynthesis. Here, we report the molecular cloning and characterization of these genes from marine teleost Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂, tissue distribution and their expressions in response to dietary n-3 LC-HUFA levels after 42 days feeding experiment.

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