Transcriptome and metabolome profiling unveil the responses of crayfish to dietary astaxanthin

Abstract

Astaxanthin (AST) is a feed additive applied in aquaculture, which has been proved to promote the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), an important economic fishery species in China. However, the underlying mechanism of improved antioxidant capacity of AST in crayfish remains unknown. In this study, changes of antioxidant activity, transcriptome and metabolome in crayfish hepatopancreas were analyzed after feeding with AST. The results showed that AST could improve the antioxidant capacity of crayfish via increasing antioxidant enzymes activity and reducing malondialdehyde content. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that immune system, cell death and disease, mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation pathways were altered with AST feeding. AST significantly increased total cholesterol level indicated the metabolism of crayfish was affected. Metabolomic analysis revealed the alteration of mineral adsorption, carbon and amino acid metabolisms, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome suggested that AST predominantly regulated amino acid and fatty acid metabolisms. Taken together, AST acts on crayfish mainly through improving antioxidant capacity and modulating amino acid and fatty acid metabolisms.