Haemolymph metabolomic differences in silkworms (Bombyx mori L.) under mulberry leaf and two artificial diet rearing methods

Abstract

The new technology of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) artificial feed breeding has many characteristics and advantages.This study assessed silkworm rearing with mulberry leaf at all instars (MF) as the control, and used metabolomics to explore the differences in haemolymph metabolism of fifth instar silkworms under two modes of rearing with an artificial diet at all instars (AF) and rearing with an artificial diet during first to third instars and mulberry leaf during the fourth and fifth instars (AMF). The results show that, compared with silkworms of the MF group, the amount and fold change of various metabolites were higher in the haemolymph of AF group silkworms, and the metabolism of amino acids and uric acid, carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins were changed. These changes may be the reasons for the poor performance of the AF silkworms. However, the amount and fold change of the various metabolites of silkworms in the AMF group were lower, and some metabolic pathways were more active. The amount of material and energy supply were greater. These changes could explain the high efficiency growth of body weight of silkworms after the conversion from artificial diet rearing to mulberry leaf rearing. These findings provide an important theoretical basis for the optimisation of artificial diet rearing technology for silkworms.

Multi-tissue metabolomic profiling reveals potential mechanisms of cocoon yield in silkworms (Bombyx mori) fed formula feed versus mulberry leaves

“…The domesticated silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) is a Lepidoptera model organism that has been reared and domesticated on mulberry leaves (ML) for thousands of years ( Tao et al, 2022 ). However, with continual optimization and changes in rural economic structure, Chinese sericulture is facing unprecedented challenges.…”

“…However, the mechanisms underlying the poor cocoon yield of the FF silkworms have not been well documented. With the rapid development of systems biology, omics methods have been widely used in livestock studies, including the sericulture field ( Dong et al, 2018 ; Fang et al, 2020 ; Ge et al, 2020 ; Xiao et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ). Researchers have explored the molecular differences between the FF and ML silkworms ( Zhou et al, 2008 ; Dong et al, 2017 ; Dong et al, 2018 ; Lamberti et al, 2019 ; Qin et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ).…”

“…With the rapid development of systems biology, omics methods have been widely used in livestock studies, including the sericulture field ( Dong et al, 2018 ; Fang et al, 2020 ; Ge et al, 2020 ; Xiao et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ). Researchers have explored the molecular differences between the FF and ML silkworms ( Zhou et al, 2008 ; Dong et al, 2017 ; Dong et al, 2018 ; Lamberti et al, 2019 ; Qin et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ). For instance, the intestinal microbiota diversity was reported to be higher in the ML silkworms than the FF silkworms ( Dong et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Currently used detection platforms are based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance, each of which has its own merits. LC-MS aids in identifying metabolites with high polarity and high formula weight, and can quantify and qualify more metabolites than other platforms ( Tao et al, 2022 ). Metabolomics has been applied in exploring the metabolic profiles of silkworms subjected to two rearing methods (FF versus ML) ( Dong et al, 2017 ; Qin et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ).…”

“…LC-MS aids in identifying metabolites with high polarity and high formula weight, and can quantify and qualify more metabolites than other platforms ( Tao et al, 2022 ). Metabolomics has been applied in exploring the metabolic profiles of silkworms subjected to two rearing methods (FF versus ML) ( Dong et al, 2017 ; Qin et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ). However, previous studies have focused mainly on metabolic changes in a single tissue; therefore, the results cannot fully reflect systematic variations of the whole organism.…”