Cytogenetic homeostasis of African catfish in high-tech industrial aquaculture

Abstract

Sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a prospective object of aquaculture. It is fast-growing species, which growth period from larva to commodity fish makes only 6 months. Its meat is rich with essential fatty acids (omega-3) and satisfies modern requirements to healthy food. One of efficient ways to prevent stressful factors of fish cultivation in the conditions of industrial aquaculture is the use of complete feed. Biologically active agents, including probiotics, are important in the balance of feed macronutrients for cultivation of physiologically competent fish. Sporotermin is among effective probiotics. The purpose of the study was to define cytogenetic homeostasis of African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) at the introduction of probiotic Sporotermin into feed. The study was conducted during cultivation of catfish in hi-tech industrial aquaculture. The cytogenetic homeostasis was assessed via the micronucleus test. The micronucleus test on fish is used to assess the pollution of their habitat. The study also revealed differences in the frequency of micronuclei and their types between group of fish growing with and without probiotic Sporotermin. Sporotermin decreases cytogenetic homeostasis disorders. Thus, the number of cells with (a) micronuclei decreases from 0.4% to 0.075%. There are no cells with micronuclei of (b), (c), (d-I), (d-II) and (e) types against the background of application of Sporotermin as a feed additive. The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant No. 18-016-000127.