Altered hepatic glycolysis, lipogenesis, and blood biochemistry of tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) under two different culture systems

Abstract

Tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) is one of the most commercially important fish species cultivated and consumed in East Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea and China. In this study, the hepatic glycolysis, and lipogenesis, and serum biochemistry of tiger puffers subjected to short-term culture in offshore sea cage aquaculture system (OSCS) and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) were evaluated. Results showed that the activity of hepatic phosphofructokinase, and lipoprotein lipase, ATP level, and serum cortisol content of the male tiger puffers reared in OSCS were significantly higher than those of female tiger puffers reared in OSCS and those of fish reared in RAS. The lowest hepatic fatty acid synthetase activity, lipid droplet number, serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, Na+ and Cl− concentrations were observed in male tiger puffers reared in OSCS. However, serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, K+ concentrations and alanine aminotransferase activity of tiger puffers reared in RAS and OSCS showed no significant differences. Hepatic glycolysis and lipogenesis were profoundly affected by rearing system and gender. The interaction effect of gender and rearing system on hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity, lipid droplet number and serum Na+ level was observed. These results indicate male tiger puffers exhibited different metabolic status in hepatic glycolysis, lipogenesis, and serum biochemical parameters when reared under two different culture systems. These findings will provide important information for improving tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes) farming and profitable production using the RAS and OSCS aquaculture systems in the north coast of China.