Differential responses of hepatopancreas transcriptome between fast and slow growth in giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) fed a plant-based diet

Abstract

Efficient utilisation of plant-based diets in the giant freshwater prawn, Marcrobrachium rosenbergii, varies according to individual, suggesting that it might be associated with differences in physiological and metabolic responses. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the individual differences in the growth response of shrimp fed to a soybean-based diet (SBM). Two hundred shrimp were fed SBM for 90 days, and specific growth rate (SGR) was determined individually. Fast- and slow-growing shrimp (F-shrimp vs. S-shrimp), with the highest and lowest 5% SGRs, respectively, were sampled to determine haemolymph chemistry and carcass composition. The hepatopancreas of these shrimps were used for transcriptome analysis through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The results showed no significant differences in haemolymph chemistry parameters. In terms of carcass proximate composition, F-shrimp exhibited higher protein composition than did S-shrimp, suggesting that F-shrimp have higher protein anabolism. Using RNA-seq and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the expression levels of several genes encoding physiologic and metabolic enzymes were found to be upregulated in F-shrimp compared to in S-shrimp, suggesting that these enzymes/proteins mediated the efficient use of SBM-based diets for growth promotion in shrimp. Various DEGs associated with the immune system were observed, indicating a difference in immune processes between F- and S-shrimp. The expression of several housekeeping genes was found to be upregulated in S-shrimp. Collectively, the upregulated expression of several enzymes associated with physiological and/or metabolic processes and increased protein anabolism may be attributed to the efficient use of SBM for maximal growth in shrimp.

Considerations for protein and amino acids in standardized reference diet for parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis model organism

“…Indeed, in the kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus , proteins are the main energy source, as observed during starvation 26 . When feeding, it has been hypothesized that proteins (followed by lipids) are generally superior to carbohydrates as an energy source in the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii 27 . The crustaceans tend to be lean 28 .…”

“…Previous research 31 used menhaden fish oil as a lipid source (0–15% in 3% increments) for white river crayfish Procambarus acutus acutus and found less growth in crayfish fed on diets containing ≥ 9% lipids. The negative responses of crustaceans to plant-based diets has been attributed to the presence of phytochemicals including anti-nutritional factors, phytoestrogens, dietary fibres, enzyme inhibitors and a “high carbohydrate content” 27 . Therefore, the FISH diet or CHI + SPI diets (high in protein, low in carbohydrates) could represent a good model for dietary macronutrients and energy composition for marbled crayfish SRD.…”