Gene expression and energetic metabolism changes in the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in response to short‐term hypoxia

Abstract

In shrimp, several physiological, metabolic and gene expression patterns related to the use of carbohydrates have been associated with hypoxia since this limiting factor modifies aerobic glycolysis to anaerobic glycolysis. The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of short-term hypoxia on oxygen consumption (OC), carbohydrate content and expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), glycolysis and Krebs’ cycle genes in Litopenaeus vannamei juvenile shrimps to elucidate use of energy in shrimps during the periods of low oxygen concentration commonly found in culture ponds. At low oxygen concentration, a decrease in shrimp OC, an increase in carbohydrate content and an increase in expression of HIF-1, glycolysis and Krebs’ cycle genes in shrimp gills were registered. These results might indicate that exposure of L. vannamei to short-term hypoxia implies the use of carbohydrates as metabolic fuel triggered by an increase in transcription of HIF-1, glycolysis and Krebs’ cycle pathway genes, as a strategy to maintain a balance between oxidative and anaerobic metabolism and to sustain the energy supply as a compensation to low oxygen availability.