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Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals
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Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Zoology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 18440

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcelino Herrera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IFAPA Centro Agua del Pino, 21450 Cartaya, Spain
Interests: fish welfare; animal physiology; aquatic animals; aquaculture; stress; fish; metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Laura Fernández-Alacid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: physiology; aquaculture; skin mucus; lipid metabolism; marine fish; acute stress; chronic stress; welfare
Dr. Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departament of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: welfare; physiology; aquatic animals; endocrinology; fish; cephalopods; energy metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stress is a complex and multifactorial process which is present in all living beings. It can be considered as a defence mechanism to face abiotic and biotic stimuli (stressors) that modify the basal state of the organism. Stress responses include physiological actions that usually entail whole-body metabolism to restore homeostasis through energy expenditure.

Aquatic animals are in an environment with certain physicochemical peculiarities and, therefore, they are challenged to different stimuli. Since there is an enormous diversity of aquatic species, their metabolic responses to stress are varied. In general, animals present a series of primary responses, of endocrine origin, that stimulate deeper (secondary) actions that require allostatic modifications in metabolism. Some of these responses include the mobilization of hormones, energy resources, activation of the immune system, or changes in the redox balance at the cellular level.

Studies on the stress in fish, cephalopods and other aquatic animals have become relevant in recent years due to the close relationship between stress and welfare. Those studies have been aimed at improving the knowledge on the welfare of those animals in captivity, for both aquaculture and exhibition purposes. Although significant progress has been made, many matters remain unclear mainly due to the high diversity of aquatic animals and their potential stressors.

Through the present Special Issue, we encourage researchers and technicians to submit their articles in order to get a deeper knowledge on stress and metabolic responses in aquatic animals. This Special Issue welcomes works related to physiological, endocrine, immunological, behavioural, and metabolic responses to stress in aquatic animals, including vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as wild and captive animals. The proposals involving animal welfare are of special interest, in addition to those reporting new analytical techniques or procedures to approach classical or common challenges.

Dr. Marcelino Herrera
Dr. Laura Fernández-Alacid
Dr. Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • stress
  • metabolism
  • animal welfare
  • aquaculture
  • cephalopods
  • fish
  • molluscs
  • crustaceans
  • aquatic animals
  • animal physiology

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 4753 KiB  
Article
Effect of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Secondary Microplastics on the Demography of Moina macrocopa (Cladocera)
by Diana Laura Manríquez-Guzmán, Diego de Jesús Chaparro-Herrera, Pedro Ramírez-García and Cesar Alejandro Zamora-Barrios
Biology 2025, 14(5), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050555 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 102
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems and can affect the stability of aquatic food webs. They are intentionally produced in a size of less than 5 mm for specific purposes or are the result of the fragmentation of [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems and can affect the stability of aquatic food webs. They are intentionally produced in a size of less than 5 mm for specific purposes or are the result of the fragmentation of larger plastic debris. Zooplankton can be affected directly by the ingestion of MPs or indirectly by interference caused by suspended plastic particles. Various environmental agencies recommend the genus Moina for assessing risk from water pollutants. However, this genus has received less attention in research compared to non-indigenous cladocerans commonly used as test organisms. We evaluated the effects of artificially fragmented acrylonitrile butadiene styrene microplastics (ABS-MPs) on key demographic parameters such as survival, mortality, life expectancy, fecundity, and feeding rates of Moina macrocopa americana. We exposed M. macrocopa neonates to a diet consisting of the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and ABS-MP particles. Four treatments were set with different concentrations of ABS-MP particles (5, 10, and 20 mg L−1). Survivorship, mortality, and reproduction were recorded daily until the last individual from the original cohort died. ABS-MPs significantly reduced M. macrocopa consumption rates of C. vulgaris, with an 85% decrease compared to the control. Although no statistically significant differences were found in life expectancy, net reproduction, or generation time among the toxic treatments, these parameters were drastically reduced compared to the control, even at the lowest concentration (5 mg L−1); this resulted in a 34% reduction in average lifespan. The ABS-MPs interfere with the long-term population dynamics of M. macrocopa and change their consumption rates, potentially decreasing their fitness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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15 pages, 2427 KiB  
Article
Understanding Mantle Edge Pigmentation Through Comprehensive Transcriptomic Profiling of the Chilean Oyster (Ostrea chilensis)
by Camila Godoy-Diaz, Katalina Llanos-Azócar, Gonzalo J. Ruiz-Tagle, Jorge E. Toro, Pablo A. Oyarzún and Juan A. Valdés
Biology 2025, 14(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020145 - 30 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1113
Abstract
The Chilean oyster (Ostrea chilensis) is a flat oyster native to Chile and New Zealand. Over-exploitation has led to local extinctions in some areas. Two phenotypes, distinguished by dark or white mantle edge pigmentation, have been identified, with the dark-edged mantle [...] Read more.
The Chilean oyster (Ostrea chilensis) is a flat oyster native to Chile and New Zealand. Over-exploitation has led to local extinctions in some areas. Two phenotypes, distinguished by dark or white mantle edge pigmentation, have been identified, with the dark-edged mantle oysters being more commercially valuable due to perceived quality. In this study, transcriptomic data were obtained from the mantles of both phenotypes. Total RNA was extracted of adult Chilean Oyster mantle, and samples were sequenced using HiSeq X Illumina technology. A total of 935,620,583 paired-end reads were de novo assembled, 50,908 transcripts produced, and a reference transcriptome created with 37.92% GC content and an N50 of 1929 bp. Functional annotation showed a total of 51,315 GO terms, with 21,322 annotations on Biological Process, 14,578 annotations on Molecular Functions, and 15,415 annotations on Cellular Component. The RNA-seq analysis revealed 746 differentially expressed transcripts, 573 up-regulated and 173 transcripts down-regulated, between dark- and white-mantle edge Chilean Oyster. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed notable differences in the expression profiles allowing the detection of differential expressed transcripts associated with specific pathways such as Ribosome, Citrate cycle, and Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Other interesting differentially represented pathways include Tyrosine metabolism, Tryptophan metabolism, cAMP signaling pathway, ABC transporters, Notch signaling pathway, Endocytosis, and Calcium signaling pathway. This dataset provides a valuable molecular resource for O. chilensis and the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in mantle edge pigmentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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13 pages, 1418 KiB  
Article
Biomarkers in Skin Mucus for a Minimally Invasive Approach to Stress in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) Fry
by Hernán Antonio Alzate-Díaz, Laura Fernández-Alacid and Sandra Clemencia Pardo-Carrasco
Biology 2025, 14(2), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020112 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 986
Abstract
In a context where aquaculture continues to grow, it is essential to understand how culture conditions influence fish stress. The welfare of red tilapia fry (Oreochromis sp.), weighing 0.6 ± 0.3 g and with an initial total length of 3.548 ± 0.285 [...] Read more.
In a context where aquaculture continues to grow, it is essential to understand how culture conditions influence fish stress. The welfare of red tilapia fry (Oreochromis sp.), weighing 0.6 ± 0.3 g and with an initial total length of 3.548 ± 0.285 cm, was evaluated in two culture systems, biofloc and land-based ponds, over a period of 30 days through biomarkers associated with the skin mucosa, such as protein, glucose, lactate, and the hormone cortisol, in addition to their relationships with protein, seeking a comprehensive view of the physiological state and stress of these fish. Mucus samples were thawed and prepared by mechanical homogenization and centrifugation. The results reveal that the biofloc system provides a more conducive environment for welfare, evidenced by higher mucus protein levels of 1.598 ± 0.733 mg/mL, 2.316 ± 1.01 mg/mL, and 1.203 ± 0.640 mg/mL for culture days 10, 20 and 30, respectively, and lower cortisol > 1 ng/mL and lactate contents 1799 ± 1135 µg/mL, 30,271 ± 24,613 µg/mL, and 21,829 ± 23,507 µg/mL for culture days 10, 20 and 30, respectively, compounds largely associated with animal stress. This highlights the direct relationship between culture, environment and fish health and highlights skin mucus as a valuable minimally invasive biomarker. It is also important to note that improved fish welfare supports fish growth and health and promotes more sustainable aquaculture practices, contributing to more efficient and responsible production in the industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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21 pages, 7386 KiB  
Article
Biochemical, Histological, and Multi-Omics Analyses Reveal the Molecular and Metabolic Mechanisms of Cold Stress Response in the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)
by Liqin Ji, Qing Shi, Chen Chen, Xiaoli Liu, Junxian Zhu, Xiaoyou Hong, Chengqing Wei, Xinping Zhu and Wei Li
Biology 2025, 14(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14010055 - 11 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1072
Abstract
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), a type of warm-water reptile, is frequently chosen as the model animal to understand how organisms respond to environmental stressors. However, the responsive mechanism of P. sinensis to natural cold stress is unclear, especially in [...] Read more.
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), a type of warm-water reptile, is frequently chosen as the model animal to understand how organisms respond to environmental stressors. However, the responsive mechanism of P. sinensis to natural cold stress is unclear, especially in terms of metabolic pattern and molecular pathways. Herein, plasma biochemical, hepatic morphological, apoptotic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic detection methods were performed to investigate the response of P. sinensis to acute cold stress. A consistent increase in plasma AST and ALT activities with a decline in ALP activity was found following 14 °C and 7 °C cold stress compared with the control group. Plasma GLU, TG, CHO, and HDL contents, reflecting energy metabolism, were decreased to lower levels from 2 to 16 days post cold stress (dps). Histological and TUNEL detection in the liver demonstrated that the 14 °C and 7 °C cold stress caused severe morphological damage and cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. DEGs in the biosynthesis of fatty acids (Acsbg2, Acsl3, Acsl4, Acsl5, Mcat, and Acacb), as well as unsaturated fatty acids (Hsd17b12, Elovl7, Scd, and Baat), starch and sucrose metabolism (Pgm1, Pgm2, and Treh), and apoptosis (Ddit3, Gadd45a, Lmnb1, Tuba1c, Tnf, Tnfsf10, Fos, Itpr1, and Ctso) were discovered in the transcriptome under cold stress. The metabolomic data showed that metabolites, including chenodeoxycholic acid, oleoylethanolamide, uric acid, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, CMP, and S-(Hydroxymethyl)-glutathione, were remarkably altered in the cold stress groups. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed that pyrimidine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism were the most significant pathways regulated by the low-temperature exposure. Overall, this work suggests that 14 °C and 7 °C cold stress could induce obvious morphological damage and apoptosis in the liver at 4 dps. Moreover, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism were the main signaling pathways in response to cold stress for P. sinensis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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20 pages, 6611 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic Insights into Dual Temperature–Salinity Stress Response in “Shuike No. 1”, a Pioneering Rainbow Trout Strain Bred in China
by Xiaojun Liu, Gaochao Wang, Tianqing Huang, Enhui Liu, Wei Gu, Peng Fan, Kaibo Ge, Datian Li, Yunchao Sun and Gefeng Xu
Biology 2025, 14(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14010049 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 870
Abstract
Global warming poses a significant threat to aquaculture, particularly for cold-water species like rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying stress responses is crucial for developing resilient strains. This study investigates the dual stress of salinity and temperature response [...] Read more.
Global warming poses a significant threat to aquaculture, particularly for cold-water species like rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying stress responses is crucial for developing resilient strains. This study investigates the dual stress of salinity and temperature response of “Shuike No. 1” (SK), a pioneering commercially bred rainbow trout strain in China, using RNA-sequencing of gill, intestine, and liver tissues from fish exposed to four treatment combinations: freshwater at 16 °C, freshwater at 25 °C, saltwater (30‰) at 16 °C, and saltwater at 25 °C. Differential gene expression analysis identified a substantial number of DEGs, with the liver showing the most pronounced response and a clear synergistic effect observed under combined high-temperature and salinity stress. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed stress-responsive gene modules and identified hub genes, primarily associated with gene expression, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, disease immunity, energy metabolism, and substance transport. Key hub genes included klf9, fkbp5a, fkbp5b, ef2, cirbp, atp1b1, atp1b2, foxi3b, smoc1, and arf1. Functional enrichment analysis confirmed the prominent role of ER stress, particularly the pathway “protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum.” Our results reveal complex, tissue-specific responses to dual stress, with high temperature exerting a stronger influence than salinity. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning dual stress responses in SK, informing future breeding programs for enhanced resilience in the face of climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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20 pages, 2727 KiB  
Article
Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Organic Silicon on the Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Digestive Enzymes, Morphohistology, Intestinal Microbiota and Stress Resistance in Juvenile Hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis niloticus)
by Yuniel Méndez-Martínez, Helen A. Valensuela-Barros, Yanis Cruz-Quintana, Aroldo Botello-León, Roberto D. Muñoz-Mestanza, Grace L. Orellana-Castro and Carlos Angulo
Biology 2024, 13(7), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13070531 - 17 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
In recent decades, interest has been aroused worldwide in the use of silicon in nutrition; however, information on its effect on nutrition and metabolism of fish is limited. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with organic [...] Read more.
In recent decades, interest has been aroused worldwide in the use of silicon in nutrition; however, information on its effect on nutrition and metabolism of fish is limited. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with organic silicon on the growth performance, blood biochemistry, digestive enzymes, morphohistology and intestinal microbiota and stress resistance in hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis niloticus). Methodologically, six levels of organic silicon (DOS) [control (0), 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg·kg−1] were used to feed juvenile fish (initial weight 7.51 ± 0.25 g) grown for eight weeks in 18 aquariums (15 fish/aquarium). The results indicated that growth performance showed differences (p < 0.05) for specific growth rate, feed conversion and survival. Triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose, transaminases and digestive enzymes were significantly influenced by DOS levels. The histological study confirmed that the administered diets did not cause damage and induced significant morphological changes in the proximal intestine. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the gut microbiota showed a high diversity and richness of OTU/Chao-1, with Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria predominating in the DOS treatments compared to the control (p < 0.05). Induction of hypoxia stress after the feeding period showed a significant relative survival rate of 83.33% in fish fed 50 mg·kg−1. It is concluded that the DOS treatments performed better than the control treatment in most of the variables analysed. DOS had no negative effects on the fish. The results showed that up to 50 mg·kg−1 DOS improved digestive, metabolic and growth performance in hybrid Tilapia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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15 pages, 5078 KiB  
Article
Physiological Adaptation of Fenneropenaeus chinensis in Response to Saline–Alkaline Stress Revealed by a Combined Proteomics and Metabolomics Method
by Tian Gao, Qiong Wang, Huarui Sun, Yang Liu, Jitao Li and Yuying He
Biology 2024, 13(7), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13070488 - 30 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1542
Abstract
The rapid development of the mariculture industry has been hindered by limited coastal aquaculture space. To utilize the abundant inland saline–alkaline water, we studied the physiological effects of high carbonate alkalinity stress and high pH stress on Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The study employed [...] Read more.
The rapid development of the mariculture industry has been hindered by limited coastal aquaculture space. To utilize the abundant inland saline–alkaline water, we studied the physiological effects of high carbonate alkalinity stress and high pH stress on Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The study employed quantitative proteomics by tandem mass tag (TMT) and non-targeted metabolomics analysis using a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS) to understand the physiological and biochemical adaptive mechanisms of the hepatopancreas of F. chinensis in response to saline–alkaline stress at the molecular level. We designed two stress groups as follows: a high carbonate alkalinity (CA) group and a combined high carbonate alkalinity and high pH (CP) group. The study found that the protein and metabolic profiles of the two stress groups were changed, and the CP group, which was exposed to dual stresses, incurred more severe damage to the hepatopancreas compared to that of the CA group. After exposure to CA and CP, the hepatopancreas of F. chinensis showed significant alterations in 455 proteins and 50 metabolites, and 1988 proteins and 272 metabolites, respectively. In addition, F. chinensis upregulated the level of energy metabolism in the hepatopancreas to defend against osmotic imbalance caused by CA or CP stress, which was demonstrated by the significant upregulation of important proteins and metabolites in glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, TCA cycle, and fatty acid oxidation. Additionally, pattern recognition receptors, the phenol oxidase system, and various immune-related metabolic enzymes and metabolites were also affected. The immune homeostasis of F. chinensis was affected by the alteration of the antioxidant system following exposure to CA or CP. These findings provide valuable information for F. chinensis saline–alkaline water cultivation practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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17 pages, 1755 KiB  
Article
Dietary Tryptophan Plays a Role as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent in European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Juveniles during Chronic Inflammation
by Rita Azeredo, Diogo Peixoto, Paulo Santos, Inês Duarte, Ana Ricardo, Cláudia Aragão, Marina Machado and Benjamín Costas
Biology 2024, 13(5), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13050309 - 29 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2433
Abstract
Where teleost fish are concerned, studies in tryptophan immunomodulation generally point to immunosuppressive properties, thus presenting a potential anti-inflammatory dietary strategy. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the effects of tryptophan dietary supplementation on immune and neuroendocrine responses of the [...] Read more.
Where teleost fish are concerned, studies in tryptophan immunomodulation generally point to immunosuppressive properties, thus presenting a potential anti-inflammatory dietary strategy. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the effects of tryptophan dietary supplementation on immune and neuroendocrine responses of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, undergoing chronic inflammation. Juvenile European seabass were intraperitoneally injected with either Freund’s Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA, inflamed group) or a saline solution (control group). Within each group, fish were fed a control (CTRL) and a CTRL-based diet supplemented with tryptophan (0.3% DM basis; TRP) for 4 weeks. Different tissues were sampled every week for the assessment of immune-related parameters. When TRP was provided to FIA-injected fish, mcsfr gene expression increased from 1 to 2 weeks and remained high until the end of the experiment. The same fish showed a concurrent increase in peripheral monocyte counts. Moreover, il34 expression at 1 week post-FIA injection was higher in TRP-fed than in CTRL-fed fish. After one week, molecular patterns of anti-inflammatory processes seemed to be favoured by TRP (mcsfr, gr1, il34 and tgfβ). Altogether, the results show that the feeding period seems to be critical where tryptophan supplementation is concerned since at later inflammatory stages—and longer feeding periods—fish fed TRP displayed a molecular profile similar to that of the CTRL group. In contrast, shorter administration periods might accelerate immune regulatory pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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14 pages, 6494 KiB  
Article
Toxicity of Ammonia Stress on the Physiological Homeostasis in the Gills of Litopenaeus vannamei under Seawater and Low-Salinity Conditions
by Yuxiu Nan, Meng Xiao, Yafei Duan and Yukai Yang
Biology 2024, 13(4), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13040281 - 21 Apr 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2414
Abstract
Ammonia is a major water quality factor influencing the survival and health of shrimp, among which the gill is the main effector organ for ammonia toxicity. In this study, we chose two types of Litopenaeus vannamei that were cultured in 30‰ seawater and [...] Read more.
Ammonia is a major water quality factor influencing the survival and health of shrimp, among which the gill is the main effector organ for ammonia toxicity. In this study, we chose two types of Litopenaeus vannamei that were cultured in 30‰ seawater and domesticated in 3‰ low salinity, respectively, and then separately subjected to ammonia stress for 14 days under seawater and low-salinity conditions, of which the 3‰ low salinity-cultured shrimp were domesticated from the shrimp cultured in 30‰ seawater after 27 days of gradual salinity desalination. In detail, this study included four groups, namely the SC group (ammonia-N 0 mg/L, salinity 30‰), SAN group (ammonia-N 10 mg/L, salinity 30‰), LC group (ammonia-N 0 mg/L, salinity 3‰), and LAN group (ammonia-N 10 mg/L, salinity 3‰). The ammonia stress lasted for 14 days, and then the changes in the morphological structure and physiological function of the gills were explored. The results show that ammonia stress caused the severe contraction of gill filaments and the deformation or even rupture of gill vessels. Biochemical indicators of oxidative stress, including LPO and MDA contents, as well as T-AOC and GST activities, were increased in the SAN and LAN groups, while the activities of CAT and POD and the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant-related genes (nrf2, cat, gpx, hsp70, and trx) were decreased. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of the genes involved in ER stress (ire1 and xbp1), apoptosis (casp-3, casp-9, and jnk), detoxification (gst, ugt, and sult), glucose metabolism (pdh, hk, pk, and ldh), and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (mdh, cs, idh, and odh) were decreased in the SAN and LAN groups; the levels of electron-transport chain-related genes (ndh, cco, and coi), and the bip and sdh genes were decreased in the SAN group but increased in the LAN group; and the level of the ATPase gene was decreased but the cytc gene was increased in the SAN and LAN groups. The mRNA expression levels of osmotic regulation-related genes (nka-β, ca, aqp and clc) were decreased in the SAN group, while the level of the ca gene was increased in the LAN group; the nka-α gene was decreased in both two groups. The results demonstrate that ammonia stress could influence the physiological homeostasis of the shrimp gills, possibly by damaging the tissue morphology, and affecting the redox, ER function, apoptosis, detoxification, energy metabolism, and osmoregulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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15 pages, 2251 KiB  
Article
11-Deoxycorticosterone (DOC)’s Action on the Gill Osmoregulation of Juvenile Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
by Rodrigo Zuloaga, Luciano Ahumada-Langer, Jorge Eduardo Aedo, Alfredo Molina and Juan Antonio Valdés
Biology 2024, 13(2), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13020107 - 9 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2411
Abstract
In aquaculture, stress can negatively affect fish growth. For years, the cortisol hormone has been thought to play both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid functions. Nevertheless, recent research has suggested that 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) released during stress could contribute to cortisol actions, though this process is [...] Read more.
In aquaculture, stress can negatively affect fish growth. For years, the cortisol hormone has been thought to play both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid functions. Nevertheless, recent research has suggested that 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) released during stress could contribute to cortisol actions, though this process is still misunderstood. Here, we evaluated the DOC effects on physiological and early transcriptional responses by RNA-seq. Juvenile rainbow trout were treated with DOC and/or glucocorticoids (mifepristone) or mineralocorticoid (eplerenone) receptor antagonists. Subsequently, plasma was collected, and cDNA libraries were generated from the gills of vehicle (control), DOC, mifepristone, mifepristone with DOC, eplerenone, and eplerenone with DOC groups. Calcium and phosphate levels in plasma were changed. Results revealed 914 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) induced by DOC compared with control, mainly associated with sodium ion transmembrane transport, gluconeogenesis, negative regulation of transmembrane transport, and activation of innate immune response. DOC versus eplerenone with DOC comparison displayed 444 DETs related to cell-cell junction organization, canonical glycolysis, positive regulation of immune response, and potassium ion transport. Conversely, no DETs were detected in DOC versus mifepristone with DOC comparison. These data suggest that DOC has a relevant role in gill stress response and ion transport, which is differentially regulated by mineralocorticoid receptors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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21 pages, 6319 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomics Reveal the Effects of Breeding Temperature on Growth and Metabolism in the Early Developmental Stage of Platax teira
by Ming-Jian Liu, Jie Gao, Hua-Yang Guo, Ke-Cheng Zhu, Bao-Suo Liu, Nan Zhang, Jin-Hui Sun and Dian-Chang Zhang
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091161 - 23 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1840
Abstract
The growth, development, and survival of fish, especially in the early stages of development, is influenced by a complex of environmental factors, among which temperature is one of the most important. Although the physiological effects of environmental stress in fish have been extensively [...] Read more.
The growth, development, and survival of fish, especially in the early stages of development, is influenced by a complex of environmental factors, among which temperature is one of the most important. Although the physiological effects of environmental stress in fish have been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. However, recent advances in transcriptomic techniques have facilitated the study of the molecular mechanisms of environmental stress responses in aquatic species. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of breeding temperatures (21, 24, 27, and 30 °C) on the growth and nutrient metabolism in the early developmental stage of Platax teira, using transcriptomic techniques. Transcriptomic analysis identified 5492, 6937, and 4246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 21 vs. 24 °C, 27 vs. 24 °C, and 30 vs. 24 °C comparisons, respectively, most of which were involved in cell processes, single organism, metabolism, catalytic activity, and cell part, based on gene ontology (GO) functional annotations. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways related to metabolism of matter and energy, protein digestion and absorption, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Additionally, the expression of genes related to energy, lipid, and glucose metabolism in the fish liver was upregulated under a low-temperature condition (21 °C), although increasing the temperature within the acceptable threshold improved nutrient metabolism and growth in the fish. Meanwhile, nutrient metabolism and growth were suppressed by an extremely high temperature (30 °C) owing to oxidative stress. Overall, it was shown that nutrient metabolism pathways were involved in thermal stress responses in P. teira, and the optimal breeding temperature range was 24–27 °C. Through transcriptomics, the regulatory mechanism of larval development in P. teira under different growth temperatures was elucidated, with the goal of establishing a theoretical basis for industrial breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Stress Responses in Aquatic Animals)
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