Physiological, Nutritional and Transcriptomic Responses of Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) to Complete Substitution of Fishmeal with Cottonseed Protein Concentrate in Aquafeed

Abstract

This study estimated the effect of substituting fishmeal completely with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) in the diet of sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) on growth, digestive physiology, and hepatic gene expression. A control diet containing fishmeal and an experimental diet based on CPC was designed. The study was conducted for 56 days in indoor recirculating aquaculture systems. The results showed that weight gain, feed efficiency, and whole-body essential amino acids (EAAs) all decreased significantly in the experimental group, while whole-body non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) and serum transaminase activity increased (p < 0.05). The activity of digestive enzymes in the mid-intestine was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and liver histology revealed fatty infiltration of hepatocytes. The hepatic transcriptome revealed an upregulation of genes linked to metabolism, including steroid biosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that fully replacing fishmeal with CPC harms A. schrenckii growth and physiology. This study provides valuable data for the development of improved aquafeeds and the use of molecular methods to evaluate the diet performance of sturgeon.

Effects of Dietary Fish Meal Replaced by Cottonseed Protein Concentrate on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Liver and Intestinal Health of Juvenile Hybrid Culter

“…The results indicated that a higher substitution of FM with CPC influences the hepatic function in hybrid culter. Similar observations have been reported in hybrid grouper [21], Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) [34], and rainbow trout [35]. Serum TP and ALB levels serve as indicators for protein metabolic status and immune capacity in fish [36].…”

“…Our findings are consistent with previous research on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) [42] and large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) [43], which reported that increasing CPC in the diet did not significantly affect EAA or TAA contents in muscles. However, studies on largemouth bass [10] and Amur sturgeon [34] have shown that replacing FM with a high proportion of CPC significantly reduced muscular TAA and EAA contents. This may be explained by higher dietary CPC content causing an increase in gossypol level or an imbalance in amino acid compositions.…”

Dietary Fishmeal Can Be Partially Replaced with Non-Grain Compound Proteins through Evaluating the Growth, Biochemical Indexes, and Muscle Quality in Marine Teleost Trachinotus ovatus

“…For example, cottonseed meal, a byproduct of oilseed crops and fibers (55-68% protein content) [11], is the common protein source for poultry feed [12]. In recent years, it has received attention as an alternative protein to FM in aquafeeds, such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) [13], large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) [14], sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) [15], etc., but due to the toxic effects of free cottonseed on fish, the high percentage of addition may affect the growth and health of fish. According to statistics, in 2020, the global meat production was approximately 252.6 billion kg, including 57.7 billion kg of beef, 99.1 billion kg of chicken, and 95.8 billion kg of pork [16], while the meat industry produces several byproducts during slaughter and processing, such as blood, bones, skin, organs, internal organs, horns, hooves, feet, and skulls [17].…”