Stress Response In Fish Research Articles

Validation of gut transit rate assessment methodology and the mitigation of sampling stress in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Gut transit rate is an important component of the digestive process in fish, particularly in the context of aquaculture, where factors such as rearing temperature and dietary formulation impact on-farm performance. As such, developing and validating research methodologies that explore these critical physiological responses in fish is vital in the context of precision aquaculture practices. However, there are inherent methodological constraints of gut transit rate assessments, particularly when assessing the effect of sampling on the stress response of fish. In light of this, the present study aimed to assess the gut transit rate and plasma cortisol levels of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) subjected to the more commonly applied, repeated sampling model that results in multiple tanks disturbances (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h post-feed) in comparison to one requiring only a singular tank disturbance at one of the designated time points. An inert beaded marker was integrated into diet formulations to determine the transit rate of digesta in three major gastrointestinal tract regions: the stomach, mid-intestine, and distal intestine over a period of 48 h following the provision of food. A significantly higher plasma cortisol concentration was recorded in fish subjected to a repeated disturbance, particularly at 16 h post feed (22.99 ± 6.88 ng mL−1), compared to fish sampled from tanks subjected to a single sampling event (11.35 ± 0.92 ng mL−1). Despite this, gut transit rate was generally unaffected by sampling design over the duration of the study with both groups of fish displaying a similar rate of gut transit. This suggests that repeated tank sampling (i.e. sampling multiple fish from the same tank at multiple timepoints) is suitable to assess gut transit rate in fish as it does not significantly confound gut transit rate assessments. It is envisioned that this data will contribute to the growing understanding of the digestive process of Atlantic salmon and the relationship with stress response in fish and experimental design. Moreover, it should strengthen future studies aimed at assessing key digestive processes in cultured species.

The role of NMDA receptors in fish stress response: Assessments based on physiology of the caudal neurosecretory system and defensive behavior.

Stress strongly influences the physiology and behavior of animals, and leads into a pathological condition and disease. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play a crucial role in the modulation of neural activity. To understand the role of NMDARs in fish stress response, we used NMDARs agonist aspartate to test the functional role of its input on the Dahlgren cell population in the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) of the olive flounder. In addition, the effect of the NMDARs antagonist D-AP5 on the expression of genes of the main secretory products of the CNSS after stress was investigated by using qPCR technology and the effect of the NMDARs antagonist D-AP5 on post-stress behavior was explored by behavioral methods. Ex vivo electrophysiological experiments showed that the NMDARs agonist aspartate enhanced the firing frequency of Dahlgren cells. Additionally, aspartate treatment increased the incidence of cells exhibiting bursting firing pattern, this result is corroborated by the observed upregulation in the expression of ion channels and major hormone genes in the CNSS. Furthermore, the excitatory influence of aspartate was effectively counteracted by NMDARs antagonist D-AP5. Interestingly, NMDARs antagonist D-AP5 treatment also significantly decreased the plasma cortisol levels and the expression of CRH, UI, and UII in CNSS after acute stress. Treatment with D-AP5 effectively attenuated the stress response, as evidenced by alterations in respiratory metabolism, sand-burying behavior, swimming distance, simulated capture, and escape response. In conclusion, modulation of Dahlgren cell excitability in the CNSS by NMDARs contributes to the regulation of the stress response, NMDARs antagonist D-AP5 can effectively suppress stress response in flounder by regulating the stress hormone expression and secretion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Project code SHOU-DW-2022-032.

Lost in translation? Evidence for a muted proteomic response to thermal stress in a stenothermal Antarctic fish and possible evolutionary mechanisms.

Stenothermal Antarctic notothenioid fishes are noteworthy for their history of isolation in extreme cold and their corresponding lack of the canonical heat shock response. Despite extensive transcriptomic studies, the mechanistic basis for stenothermy has not been fully elucidated. Given that the proteome better represents an organism's physiology, the possibility exists that some aspects of stenothermy arise posttranscriptionally. Here, Antarctic emerald rockcod (Trematomus bernacchii) were sampled after exposure to chronic and/or acute high temperatures, followed by a thorough assessment of proteomic responses in the brain, gill, and kidney. Few cellular stress response proteins were induced, and overall responses were modest in terms of the numbers of differentially expressed proteins and their fold changes. Inconsistencies in protein induction across treatments and tissues are suggestive of dysregulation, rather than an adaptive response. Changes in regulation of the translational machinery in Antarctic notothenioids could explain these patterns. Some components of translational regulatory pathways are highly conserved [e.g., Ser-52, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)], but other proteins comprising the cellular "integrated stress response," specifically, the eIF2α kinases general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) and PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), may have evolved along different trajectories in Antarctic fishes. Taken together, these observations suggest a novel hypothesis for stenothermy and the absence of a coordinated cellular stress response in Antarctic fishes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Antarctic fishes have some of the lowest known heat tolerances among vertebrates, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this pattern are not fully understood. By combining detailed analyses of protein expression patterns in several tissues under various heat treatments with a broader evolutionary perspective, this study offers a novel hypothesis to explain the narrow range of temperature tolerance in this extraordinary group of fishes.

Non-lethal biomarkers as promising tools for fish health assessment: In situ exposure to bifenthrin as a case study

Non-lethal biomonitoring should provide an innovative approach to establish bioethical protocols for the management of both aquaculture and wild fisheries resources. We aimed to assess non-lethal biomarkers in Piaractus mesopotamicus caged in a rice field during a bifenthrin (BF) application. We analyzed parameters related to the immune system, energy metabolism and oxidative stress in fish skin mucus and blood plasma. Fish exposed to BF showed a significant increase in skin mucus glucose levels and the enzymatic activities of protease, alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase. Regarding plasmatic parameters, BF increased the levels of glucose, total protein and albumin, but decreased triglycerides. In addition, increased activities of lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase were found in the blood plasma of exposed fish. Our results indicated an increased energy demand, altered immune function and a mild oxidative stress response in fish exposed in situ to BF. We have shown that skin mucus and blood plasma are very promising matrices for the development of non-lethal biomarkers to assess fish health in a stressed environment.

Ribosome Profiling and RNA Sequencing Reveal Translation and Transcription Regulation under Acute Heat Stress in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) Liver.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) is an important economic cold-water fish that is susceptible to heat stress. To date, the heat stress response in rainbow trout is more widely understood at the transcriptional level, while little research has been conducted at the translational level. To reveal the translational regulation of heat stress in rainbow trout, in this study, we performed a ribosome profiling assay of rainbow trout liver under normal and heat stress conditions. Comparative analysis of the RNA-seq data with the ribosome profiling data showed that the folding changes in gene expression at the transcriptional level are moderately correlated with those at the translational level. In total, 1213 genes were significantly altered at the translational level. However, only 32.8% of the genes were common between both levels, demonstrating that heat stress is coordinated across both transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, 809 genes exhibited significant differences in translational efficiency (TE), with the TE of these genes being considerably affected by factors such as the GC content, coding sequence length, and upstream open reading frame (uORF) presence. In addition, 3468 potential uORFs in 2676 genes were identified, which can potentially affect the TE of the main open reading frames. In this study, Ribo-seq and RNA-seq were used for the first time to elucidate the coordinated regulation of transcription and translation in rainbow trout under heat stress. These findings are expected to contribute novel data and theoretical insights to the international literature on the thermal stress response in fish.

Investigating the biological relevance of measuring gastrointestinal cortisol metabolite levels to assess stress responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) after an acute stress

Monitoring stress levels of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is important to ensure fish welfare and optimize farm operations. Feces could be a promising matrix for assessing stress responses in fish, based on their properties of low-invasive sampling and allowing repeated sampling over time. Meanwhile, elevated levels of cortisol metabolites (CMs) in feces indicate the increases in plasma cortisol levels (PLA) after exposure to acute stress. However, the dynamics of fecal CMs following acute stress in Atlantic salmon remain unclear. In this study, a confinement stress involving chasing and crowding was conducted to investigate the responses of gastrointestinal CMs to an acute stressor in Atlantic salmon. The post-smolts, with an average weight of 155.21 g, were sampled before and at 30 min, 1.5, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h after the onset of stress. Blood and gastrointestinal contents from the stomach, proximal intestine, and distal intestine of each fish were collected and subsequently analyzed, using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated that the pre-stress level of PLA was low (4.28 ± 6.13 ng/ml) and reached a peak within 30 min following stress. The levels of CMs in gastrointestinal contents from stomach (SCMs), proximal intestine (PCMs), and distal intestine (DCMs) in pre-stress group were 0.82 ± 0.50, 18.31 ± 6.14 and 16.04 ± 6.69 ng/g, respectively. Gastrointestinal CMs increased significantly within 30 min and the peak levels of SCMs (3.51 ± 3.75 ng/g), PCMs (68.19 ± 23.71 ng/g) and DCMs (65.67 ± 23.37 ng/g) were found at 1.5 h post-stress. The significant increases in PCMs and DCMs post-stress validate the biological relevance of measuring intestinal CMs for assessing acute stress responses in Atlantic salmon. No significant difference was noted between PCMs and DCMs across all samples, suggesting that intestinal contents can serve as a suitable matrix compared with feces when measuring the responses of CMs to acute stress. The time lag between the peak of PLA levels and their reflection in the intestinal contents exceeded 1 h, indicating that using intestinal contents as a matrix to assess stress levels in fish can extend and delay the sampling window. This study highlights valuable guidance for determining the optimal times to utilize intestinal contents for measuring stress responses, providing further insights into the dynamics of fecal CM following acute stress.

Heart and shoal: Social cues and oxytocin receptors impact stress recovery in the zebrafish

In many species, social interactions decrease behavioral, hormonal, and neural responses to environmental stressors. While “social buffering” and its mechanisms have received considerable attention in mammals, we know less about the phenomenon in fish. The nonapeptide oxytocin regulates social behavior across vertebrates and plays an important role in social buffering in mammals. We investigated social buffering in the zebrafish by evaluating how the social environment and oxytocin receptors impact recovery from an acute stressor. Male and female fish were briefly exposed to alarm substance and recovered either in isolation or within view of a stimulus shoal. Alarm substance did not increase social approach, but social stimuli improved behavioral stress recovery. Oxytocin receptor antagonism decreased social approach during stress recovery and impaired stress recovery exclusively in individuals with access to visual social stimuli. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that social stimuli buffer stress responses in fish and suggest that oxytocin receptors may play a role in socially-buffered stress recovery across taxa.

Loss of Gcn2 exacerbates gossypol induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in zebrafish

Gossypol, a naturally occurring compound found in cottonseed meal, shows promising therapeutic potential for human diseases. However, within the aquaculture industry, it is considered an antinutritional factor. The incorporation of cottonseed meal into fish feed introduces gossypol, which induces intracellular stresses and hinders overall health of farmed fish. The aim of this study is to determine the role of General control nonderepressible 2 (gcn2), a sensor for intracellular stresses in gossypol-induced stress responses in fish. In the present study, we established two gcn2 knockout zebrafish lines. A feeding trial was conducted to assess the growth-inhibitory effect of gossypol in both wild type and gcn2 knockout zebrafish. The results showed that in the absence of gcn2, zebrafish exhibited increased oxidative stress and apoptosis when exposed to gossypol, resulting in higher mortality rates. In feeding trial, dietary gossypol intensified liver inflammation in gcn2−/− zebrafish, diminishing their growth and feed conversion. Remarkably, administering the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was effective in reversing the gossypol induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, thereby increasing the gossypol tolerance of gcn2−/− zebrafish. Exposure to gossypol induces more severe mitochondrial stress in gcn2−/− zebrafish, thereby inducing metabolic disorders. These results reveal that gcn2 plays a protective role in reducing gossypol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, attenuating inflammation responses, and enhancing the survivability of zebrafish in gossypol-challenged conditions. Therefore, maintaining appropriate activation of Gcn2 may be beneficial for fish fed diets containing gossypol.

Adverse effects of excessive dietary arachidonic acid on survival, PUFA-derived enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxylipins, stress response in rainbow trout fry

Arachidonic acid (C20: 4n-6, AA) plays a fundamental role in fish physiology, influencing growth, survival and stress resistance. However, imbalances in dietary AA can have detrimental effects on fish health and performance. Optimal AA requirements for rainbow trout have not been established. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of varying dietary AA levels on survival, growth, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) biosynthetic capacity, oxylipin profiles, lipid peroxidation, and stress resistance of rainbow trout fry. Over a period of eight weeks, 4000 female rainbow trout fry at the resorptive stage (0.12 g) from their first feeding were fed diets with varying levels of AA (0.6%, 1.1% or 2.5% of total fatty acids) while survival and growth metrics were closely monitored. The dietary trial was followed by an acute confinement stress test. Notably, while the fatty acid profiles of the fish reflected dietary intake, those fed an AA-0.6% diet showed increased expression of elongase5, highlighting their inherent ability to produce LC-PUFAs from C18 PUFAs and suggesting potential AA or docosapentaenoic acidn-6 (DPAn-6) biosynthesis. However, even with this biosynthetic capacity, the trout fed reduced dietary AA had higher mortality rates. The diet had no effect on final weight (3.38 g on average for the three diets). Conversely, increased dietary AA enhanced eicosanoid production from AA, suggesting potential inflammatory and oxidative consequences. This was further evidenced by an increase in non-enzymatic lipid oxidation metabolites, particularly in the AA-2.5% diet group, which had higher levels of phytoprostanes and isoprostanes, markers of cellular oxidative damage. Importantly, the AA-1.1% diet proved to be particularly beneficial for stress resilience. This was evidenced by higher post-stress turnover rates of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters central to the fish's stress response. In conclusion, a dietary AA intake of 1.1% of total fatty acids appears to promote overall resilience in rainbow trout fry.

Multi-scale bioimpedance flexible sensing with causal hierarchical machine learning for fish vitality evaluation under adversity stress

It is expected that waterless low-temperature stressful environments will induce stress responses in fish and affect their vitality. In this study, we developed a laser-activated, stretchable, highly conductive liquid metal (LM) based flexible sensor system for fish multi-scale bioimpedance detection. It has excellent conformability, electrical conductivity, bending and cyclic tensile stability. Meanwhile, test result showed that wireless power supply is a potential solution for realizing safe power supply for devices inside waterless low-temperature packages. In addition, a hierarchical regression model (GC-HRM) based on Granger causality was established. The result showed that tissue bioimpedance can induce changes in individual bioimpedance with unidirectional Granger causality. The R2 of the linear regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR) and artificial neural network (ANN) models under single-scale individual bioimpedance were 0.85, 0.90 and 0.78, respectively. By adding the multi-scale bioimpedance features, the R2 of the LR, SVR and ANN models were improved to 0.95, 1.00 and 0.98, respectively.

Probiotic performance of B. subtilis MS. 45 improves aquaculture of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during acute hypoxia stress

The aim of this study was to produce mutant strains of Bacillus subtilis with high probiotic performance for use in the aquaculture of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. The main strain of B. subtilis (MS) was irradiated with gamma rays (5.3 KGy). Subsequently, the B. subtilis mutant strain no. 45 (MS. 45) was selected for bacterial growth performance, resistance to acidic conditions, resistance to bile salts and antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens. After 60 days, the rainbow trout (70.25 ± 3.89 g) fed with MS. 45 and MS were exposed to hypoxia stress (dissolved oxygen = 2 ppm). Subsequently, immune indices (lysozyme, bacterial activity and complement activity), hematological indices [hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC, RBC, mean corpuscular volume (MCV)] and antioxidant factors (T-AOC, SOD and MDA)) were analyzed after and before hypoxia exposure. The expression of immunological genes (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8) in the intestine and the expression of hypoxia-related genes (HIF-1α, HIF-2α, FIH1) in the liver were compared between the different groups under hypoxia and normoxia conditions. Growth, immunological and antioxidant indices improved in group MS. 45 compared to the other groups. Stress indices and associated immunologic and hypoxia expressions under hypoxia and normoxia conditions improved in MS. 45 compared to the other groups. This resulted in improved growth, immunity and stress responses in fish fed with the microbial supplement of MS. 45 (P < 0.05) under hypoxia and normoxia conditions, (P < 0.05), resulting in a significant improvement in trout aquaculture.

Effectiveness and safety of clove oil and common salt in the long-term transport of Cyprinus carpio

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of clove essential oil (CEO) in combination with common salt during the long-term transport (24 h) of Cyprinus carpio. The experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design with a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, including four levels of CEO (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg L−1) and two levels of common salt (0 and 3 g L−1). Sampling was carried out before, immediately after, and 96 h after transport. CEO alone was not completely safe for C. carpio during transportation, as indicated by the increase in unionized ammonia in water and oxidative stress in fish gills and liver. Although common salt reduced water ammonia and fish stress responses (blood glucose), its use in isolation is not recommended, as it caused oxidative damage to the liver and gills. These effects had not been previously reported in the literature. However, the use of 5 mg L−1 CEO in combination with salt provided the best results both immediately after and 96 h after transport. In gills, there was a reduction in nitric oxide and carbonylated proteins and an increase in catalase activity at 96 h after transport. In the liver, there was a decrease in nitric oxide and oxidative damage (carbonylated proteins and malondialdehyde) immediately after transport, as well as a decrease in nitric oxide and an increase in glutathione-S-transferase activity at 96 h after transport. Thus, combined use of 5 mg L−1 CEO and 3 g L−1 common salt proved to be effective and safe, resulting in better maintenance of water quality (lower ammonia content) and redox status of the gills and liver in C. carpio during long-term transport.

Role of Phyllanthus niruri on the modulation of stress and immune responses in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

The use of nutraceuticals in aquaculture is getting attention to minimize oxidative stress and increase immunity of aquatic animals. In our experiment, we tested the potency of Phyllanthus niruri, as a stress-reducing and immune-stimulating agent in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. We reared fish in a recirculating system for 90 days at low (5 g/L) and high (30 g/L) densities. We fed half of the low and high-density fish with commercial feed (control feed) and the other half, with 5% Phyllanthus niruri incorporated into commercial feed (supplemented feed). We assessed plasma cortisol, blood glucose, packed cell volume, plasma proteins, phagocytic capacity, respiratory burst activity, and lysozyme activity. None of these parameters showed any significant difference among the experimental groups. Based on our findings, we conclude that Phyllanthus niruri does not have any potential role in modulating stress and immune response in fish as a nutraceutical.

Seaweed and Seaweed-Based Functional Metabolites as Potential Modulators of Growth, Immune and Antioxidant Responses, and Gut Microbiota in Fish.

Seaweed, also known as macroalgae, represents a vast resource that can be categorized into three taxonomic groups: Rhodophyta (red), Chlorophyta (green), and Phaeophyceae (brown). They are a good source of essential nutrients such as proteins, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Seaweed also contains a wide range of functional metabolites, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, and pigments. This study comprehensively discusses seaweed and seaweed-derived metabolites and their potential as a functional feed ingredient in aquafeed for aquaculture production. Past research has discussed the nutritional role of seaweed in promoting the growth performance of fish, but their effects on immune response and gut health in fish have received considerably less attention in the published literature. Existing research, however, has demonstrated that dietary seaweed and seaweed-based metabolite supplementation positively impact the antioxidant status, disease resistance, and stress response in fish. Additionally, seaweed supplementation can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, thereby improving gut health and nutrient absorption in fish. Nevertheless, an important balance remains between dietary seaweed inclusion level and the resultant metabolic alteration in fish. This review highlights the current state of knowledge and the associated importance of continued research endeavors regarding seaweed and seaweed-based functional metabolites as potential modulators of growth, immune and antioxidant response, and gut microbiota composition in fish.

Effect of climate change on hematotoxicity/hepatoxicity oxidative stress, Oncorhynchus mykiss, under controlled conditions.

Described as the 'main ecological factor', temperature, strongly affects the physiological stress responses of fish. In order to evaluate the effects of temperature variations on fish culture and food value chain, the present study was designed as a climate change model. Furthermore, the present study provides a theoretical basis for a better understanding of the mechanisms of the environmentally induced changes. In this direction, we examined the blood physiology and oxidative stress responses induced by temperature variation in the rainbow trout, a temperature-sensitive cold-water fish. The obtained results showed that climate changes promoted the inhibited activities' expressions and the development of potential tissue and hematological defense mechanisms against temperature-induced toxic damage. This study showed that climate change could be a subset of the studies on the stress physiology in aquaculture, which can be developed for new experimental designs and research collaborations. Furthermore, it highlights knowledge gaps to guide future research in this emerging field.

Physiological responses and quality assessment of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) during waterless preservation and transportation: Implications for survival and biochemical indicators

In this study, changes in the physiological parameters of the muscles of living turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fish during waterless preservation and transportation were assessed. Results indicated that the survival rate of turbot at low temperature, waterless conditions in pure O2 was 100% at 24 h and 95% at 36 h. Crude fat, organic acids, free amino acids, ATP levels, and pH values in the fish at 12 h after revitalization were not significantly different (p < 0.05) in the waterless preservation treatment than they were in the control group. Total protein content in turbot meat of recovered fish was close to the content in the control group. Although the protein content was lower than it was in the control group, the difference was negligible. Moreover, the elasticity, chewiness, and viscosity of turbot meat after 12 h of recovery was the same as those attributes in fish in the control group. The low-temperature waterless preservation treatment induced a strong stress response in turbot fish, characterized by strong biochemical reactions that resulted in fluctuations in the level of several stress indicators. Nevertheless, the recovery period provided a partial recovery of the indicator levels. The results of this study will contribute to the development of an effective, eco-friendly method to improve the survival rate and quality of living turbot fish during waterless preservation and transport. The study provides new insights that can be used to improve the waterless preservation and transport of living turbot fish, while addressing both market needs and consumer expectations.

Expanding Applicability of Wireless Biosensor System for Monitoring Fish Stress Response through Abdominal Interstitial Fluid

Expanding Applicability of Wireless Biosensor System for Monitoring Fish Stress Response through Abdominal Interstitial Fluid

Molecular mechanisms of the stress-induced regulation of the inflammatory response in fish

Stressors in the environment of aquatic organisms can profoundly affect their immune system. The stress response in fish involves the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis, leading to the release of several stress hormones, among them glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, which bind and activate corticosteroid receptors, namely the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). These receptors are highly expressed on immune cells, thereby allowing stress to have a potent effect that is classically considered to suppress immune function. In this review, we highlight the conserved structure and function of GR and MR among vertebrates and describe their role in modulating inflammation by regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes. In particular, the involvement of MR during inflammation is reviewed, which in many studies has been shown to be immune-enhancing. In recent years, the use of zebrafish as a model organism has opened up new possibilities to study the effects of stress on inflammation, making it possible to investigate knockout lines for MR and/or GR, in combination with transgenic models with fluorescently labeled leukocyte subpopulations that enable the visualization and manipulation of these immune cells. The potential roles of other hormones of the HPI axis, such as corticotrophin-releasing hormone (Crh) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (Acth), in immune modulation are also discussed. Overall, this review highlights the need for further research to elucidate the specific roles of GR, MR and other stress hormones in regulating immune function in fish. Understanding these mechanisms will contribute to improving fish health and advancing our knowledge of stress signalling.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic responses to heat stress in a high-altitude fish, Triplophysa siluroides

Species in Triplophysa display strong adaptability to the extreme environment of the plateau, thus offering an ideal model to study the molecular mechanism of fish adaptation to environmental stress. In the present study, we conducted integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolism of liver tissue in Triplophysa siluroides under heat stress (28 °C) and control (10 °C) conditions to identify heat stress-induced genes, metabolites and pathways. RNA-Seq identified 2373 differentially expressed genes, which consisted of 1360 upregulated genes and 1013 downregulated genes, in the heat stress group vs. the control group. Genes in the heat shock protein (Hsp) family, including Hsp40, Hsp70, Hsp90 and other Hsps, were strongly upregulated by heat stress. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathways were significantly affected by heat stress. Metabolism sequencing identified a total of 155 differentially abundant metabolites, including 118 significantly upregulated metabolites and 37 downregulated metabolites. Combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolism results showed that ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis and purine metabolism pathways were enhanced in response to acute heat stress to protect cells from damage under stress conditions. The results of this study may contribute to our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of the heat stress response in cold-water fish.

The dynamic response of HPI axis to two different transport modes in Acipenser baerii, Acipenser schrenckii and its hybrids (A. baerii♀ × A. schrenckii♂)

The transport of live fish is an inevitable step in commercial production. This process often leads to a stress in fish, so it is crucial to find a suitable mode to transport fish. This study was conducted to study the effect of waterless and water transport modes on the transport stress of fish by ELISA kits and qPCR. In this study, The levels of hormones (cortisol, EPI, ACTH and CRH) and genes (GR, HSP90 and HSP70) expression related to the HPI axis were investigated in three kinds of sturgeons after live transport within water and waterless modes. Stress response in scleractinian fish is mainly regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis (HPI axis), and it releases hormones such as corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol for the body to mobilize and distribute energy to maintain homeostasis. The present study revealed that transport mode is one of the most important factors affected the stress response of fish. The result showed that sturgeon fingerlings under waterless transport had a stronger stress response and higher mortality, so transport mode with water was more suitable for three sturgeon fingerlings. In contrast, the HPI axis-related hormones and genes of both commercial A. baerii and hybrid F1 did not vary strongly under the transport modes. Furthermore, species is another important factor which may significantly affect the stress response ability. The results of the study showed that the stress response was the strongest in fingerling A. schrenckii, while the stress response was weaker in both sizes of hybrid F1, suggesting that hybrid F1 has some hybrid advantage over purebred fish in terms of transport tolerance. This work will help to make more effective strategies for cold-water fish under different transport ways.