Incorporation of Fructooligosaccharides in Diets Influence Growth Performance, Digestive Enzyme Activity, and Expression of Intestinal Barrier Function Genes in Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus) Larvae

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the growth, survival rate, digestive enzyms activity, and the expression of intestinal barrier function genes in tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) larvae. A total of 960 larvae (0.030 ± 0.006 g) were fed three diets supplemented with increasing FOS concentrations (2.5, 5, and 7.5 g kg−1) and a control diet for 15 days. Results revealed that a 7.5 g kg−1 FOS supplementation improved weight gain, specific growth rate, and survival rate (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 5 g kg−1 FOS supplementation increased alkaline protease and amylase activities and induced an upregulation of the claudin-17 gene expression (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the inclusion of 7.5 g kg−1 FOS induced the upregulation of mucin 2 (muc-2), and the tight junction genes zo-2 and claudin-3 (p < 0.05). In addition, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 g kg−1 FOS promoted the downregulation of the claudin-15 gene expression (p < 0.05). At the same time, FOS inclusion did not increase the pro-inflammatory cytokine il-8 expression. We can conclude that 7.5 g kg−1 FOS supplementation improves growth performance, survival rate, and digestive capacity, and could contribute to the reinforcement of the intestinal barrier function of Tropical gar larvae.

Effects of Dietary Sodium Propionate on Growth, Digestive Enzyme Activity, and Expression of Immune System Genes in Juveniles of Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus)

“…Our study showed a higher expression of this gene in the intestine of A. tropicus juveniles with 1.5% SP. Similar results were reported by Pérez-Jiménez [43], who found a greater expression of muc2 when increasing the concentrations of FOS (7.5%) in larvae of A. tropicus. Other components of the intestinal barrier include the tight junctions (TJs), which provide a barrier within the membrane by regulating paracellular permeability and protein diffusion, thus maintaining cell surface polarity and enhancing the transportation of proteins and macromolecules through cells [44].…”

Effects of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Juice Byproduct Administered Using Different Feeding Methods on the Growth Performance, Digestive Enzyme Activity, Antioxidant Status, and Disease Resistance against Streptococcus iniae of Juvenile Black Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

“…The effect of the T1 (feeding the fish YJB continuously) and T2 (feeding them YJB for 1 day and the basal diet on the following day) treatments on growth (FBW, WG, and SGR), feed utilization (FC, FE, and PER), and digestive enzyme activity showed a significant difference from that of the T0 treatment (feeding the fish a basal diet continuously). FOSs, a prebiotic present in YJB, are implicated in the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of essential nutrients in aquatic animals [35][36][37][38][39]. The growth performance of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) administered 4 g kg −1 of FOSs discontinuously was better than that of a control group fed a basal diet continuously but was not significantly different from that of fish fed 4 g kg −1 of FOSs continuously [39].…”

Prebiotics in Global and Mexican Fish Aquaculture: A Review

“…In studies using FOS in concentrations of 0.5-2.0%, Sepúlveda-Quiroz et al [99] noted increased growth and a significant reduction in protease, trypsin, and lipase activities. While Pérez-Jiménez et al [100] found significant increases in protease and amylase activities. Regarding the use of inulin, De La Cruz-Marín et al [101] defined an increase in survival at a concentration of 2.5% after 45 days of the experiment.…”