Aquaculture International最新文献

{"title":"Effects of dietary inclusion of low and high doses of linseed oil on fatty acid composition, growth, and blood biochemistry in commercially farmed Atlantic salmon post-smolt","authors":"Frederike Keitel-Gröner,&nbsp;Ingunn Stubhaug,&nbsp;Eirik Hoel,&nbsp;David Knudsen,&nbsp;Kjetil Berge","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02531-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02531-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>While the substitution of plant oils has been widely studied in controlled environments, few trials have assessed their impact in large-scale real-world settings. This study evaluated the effects of replacing rapeseed oil with linseed oil, rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), on growth performance, plasma biomarkers, and fatty acid composition in Atlantic salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) during the grow-out phase under commercial farming conditions. Fish (Control: 1027 ± 15 g; Low linseed oil: 1034 ± 154 g; High linseed oil: 977 ± 43 g) were fed diets containing 0%, 6.7%, or 13.4% linseed oil, all formulated to cover 6% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of total fatty acids. Fish were fed experimental diets for 25 weeks, with a start sampling in Week 0, followed by samplings in Week 15 and Week 25. Growth, mortality, fillet pigmentation, and plasma biochemistry were not significantly affected by linseed oil inclusion, confirming its suitability as a sustainable lipid source. Tissue fatty acid profiles reflected dietary ALA increases as well as increases in intermediate metabolites, especially eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA). However, no significant rise in EPA or DHA levels was observed, suggesting limited biosynthesis under commercial conditions. These findings validate the robustness of Atlantic salmon physiology and support the practical use of linseed oil in aquafeeds, provided essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) requirements are met.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147737777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feeding control optimization based on reinforcement learning combined with background knowledge","authors":"Hui Li,&nbsp;Tao Chen,&nbsp;Jiashi Mao","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02520-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02520-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Fish feeding decision plays an essential role in controlling fish growth and ensuring water quality in aquaponic systems. The feeding decisions need to be optimized to satisfy production objectives. The aim of this paper is to develop a new feeding control optimization method based on reinforcement learning (RL) combined with background knowledge by simulation analysis. Firstly, to address the feeding optimization problem, a fundamental RL-based feeding control method is proposed. The objective of the fish feeding control problem is to minimize the error between end individual fish weight at harvest time and target value. Furthermore, a fish feeding control method based on RL combined with background knowledge is proposed, which integrates the feeding control decision of model predictive control (MPC) into RL. Specifically, MPC is initially applied to the known model of the aquaponic system to determine an optimal feeding control strategy. The obtained feeding control decision is considered the background knowledge of aquaponic systems to determine initial parameters of RL. Finally, the proposed methods are validated via simulation of an aquaponic system model. Different feeding control methods are compared to show performance with respect to end individual fish weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The simulation results show that the proposed feeding control method based on RL combined with background knowledge can make effective feeding decisions and decreases 10.04% in FCR compared with MPC method.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147737676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of bioaugmentors as Immobilized Microbial Consortia (IMC) for sustainable seed production of Etroplus suratensis in semi-intensive brackish-water earthen ponds under an Ecosystem-based Approach to Aquaculture (EAA): A pilot-scale field validation","authors":"Suresh Kunjiraman,&nbsp;Akshay P.S,&nbsp;Keerthana P.V,&nbsp;Riya George,&nbsp;Ammu Thomas,&nbsp;Lakshmi Gopakumar,&nbsp;Manomi Sarasan,&nbsp;I. S. Bright Singh,&nbsp;Jayesh Puthumana","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02529-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02529-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Accumulation of organic matter (TOC), ammonia (NH₃), and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is a major concern in pond-based aquaculture systems, particularly in earthen ponds. These deteriorate pond bottom quality, impair fish productivity, and increase mortality, leading to economic losses. This pilot-scale field validation study evaluated the application of an eco-friendly and cost-effective immobilized microbial consortia (IMC) for sustainable seed production of <i>Etroplus suratensis</i> using an ecosystem-based approach to aquaculture (EAA). The experiment was conducted under practical aquaculture conditions in two earthen ponds: one untreated control pond and one IMC-treated pond. The IMC, applied at 2 kg per acre, comprised a three-tier microbial formulation: <i>Bacillus cereus</i> MCCB101 for organic matter degradation and sediment redox potential (E<i>h</i>) enhancement; a nitrifying bacterial consortium (NBC) for nitrification; and <i>Rhodopseudomonas julia</i> MCCB147 (PSB) for H₂S mitigation. The strains MCCB101 (1.65 × 10¹² CFU mL⁻¹), NBC (4.2 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹), and PSB (4.6 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹) were immobilized on silica powder at a 1:1 (v/w) ratio. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed effective microbial attachment on the carrier matrix. IMC application significantly improved water and sediment quality (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), with notable reductions in NH₃, NO₂⁻, H₂S, TOC, and SOD. Concurrently, DO, E<i>h</i>, phytoplankton abundance, and seed production of <i>E. suratensis</i> increased significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified pH (water and sediment), NH₃, E<i>h</i>, SOD, H₂S, TOC, phosphate, DO, and phytoplankton abundance as key variables influencing seed production. Higher levels of SOD, H₂S, NH₃, NO₂⁻, and lower DO were negatively correlated with seed survival and yield. Seed production (8,000 fingerlings) and survival of <i>E.suratensis</i> were significantly higher in the IMC-treated pond than in the untreated control pond (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). The total estimated cost of the experiment was Rs. 44,650/- (~ USD 528) for the control pond and Rs. 52,000/- (~ USD 617) for the IMC-treated pond. Despite the slightly higher investment, the IMC-treated pond generated substantially greater economic returns (Rs. 160,000/-; ~ USD 1,892) from 8,000 fingerlings, compared with only Rs. 4,500/- (~ USD 52.8) from 225 fingerlings in the control pond. Overall, the study demonstrates that IMC is an effective and sustainable biotechnological intervention to restore pond ecosystem health, enhance seed productivity, and improve economic viability in aquaculture, particularly for <i>E. suratensis</i> seed production.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147737626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential tissue-specific thermotolerance and cellular recovery mechanisms in Haliotis discus hannai under thermal stress","authors":"Dong Huang,&nbsp;Xinxin Li,&nbsp;Mingzhu Pan,&nbsp;Yue Liu,&nbsp;Gaochan Qin,&nbsp;Zhichu Chen,&nbsp;Xiaojun Yu,&nbsp;Kangsen Mai,&nbsp;Wenbing Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02537-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02537-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Rising seawater temperatures and marine heatwaves threaten abalone aquaculture, causing significant “summer mortality.” The present study systematically investigates tissue-specific thermal stress responses in Pacific abalone (<i>Haliotis discus hannai</i>), comparing intestine, gills, mantle, foot muscle, and digestive gland under gradient heating (1 °C/h from 18 to 30 °C) and acute heating (direct transfer to target temperatures of 18–30 °C with 2-h stabilization). Biochemical and molecular analyses revealed distinct tissue sensitivities. Gill tissue exhibited the highest thermal sensitivity. Under gradient heating, significant oxidative damage markers became evident at higher temperatures (including 28 °C), whereas under acute heating, several molecular stress responses were triggered earlier, with transcriptional changes in multiple stress-related genes appearing from 20 to 22 °C. In contrast, foot muscle tissue demonstrated resilience, maintaining stable antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT) activity. Acute heating triggered earlier stress responses than gradient heating: glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased significantly at lower temperatures (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Under acute heating, gill tissue showed early molecular responsiveness, with significant transcriptional activation detected from 20 to 24 °C depending on the marker, including <i>xbp1</i>-related ER stress and heat shock responses. During recovery, <i>hsp70</i> expression in gills rapidly declined post-stress, while intestine and mantle exhibited delayed recovery. TUNEL assays revealed temperature-dependent apoptosis in mantle and digestive gland at ≥ 24 °C, whereas gills and foot muscle displayed minimal DNA damage. These results provide physiological benchmarks for monitoring abalone health under temperature fluctuations, with implications for aquaculture management during extreme climate events.</p>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147737625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Litter decomposition of cultivated macroalgae and its implications for water quality in the East China Sea","authors":"Zhangbin Liu,&nbsp;Jianqu Chen,&nbsp;Jingzhuo Ding,&nbsp;Yang Hu,&nbsp;Jian Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02544-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02544-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The decomposition of macroalgae litters is a critical marine ecological process. This study investigated the decomposition dynamics and nutrient release patterns of litters from three cultivated macroalgae species in the East China Sea: <i>Sargassum vachellianum</i>, <i>Ulva pertusa</i>, and <i>Chondria tenuissima</i>. Field experiments and laboratory simulations were conducted to examine decomposition rates, changes in the contents of C, N, P, acid insoluble matter, cellulose, and hemicellulose, as well as nutrient release into the water during decomposition. The results indicated that all three macroalgae species exhibited varying degrees of weight loss and reductions in C, N, P, acid insoluble matter, cellulose, and hemicellulose during decomposition. <i>C. tenuissima</i> decomposed at the fastest rate, showing the most rapid loss of nutritional components. Based on the Olson decay model, the mean daily biomass loss rates were 1.36% for <i>S. vachellianum</i>, 1.50% for <i>U. pertusa</i>, and 1.75% for <i>C. tenuissima</i> under field conditions, indicating clear interspecific differences in decomposition speed. Additionally, the decomposition significantly affected nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the water. The contributions of <i>S. vachellianum</i>, <i>U. pertusa</i>, and <i>C. tenuissima</i> to water nitrogen were 11.79, 14.88, and 13.23 mg·g⁻¹, respectively, and their contributions to phosphorus were 7.95, 9.03, and 10.42 mg·g⁻¹, respectively. These findings suggest that in high-density macroalgae farming areas, the decomposition of accumulated dead macroalgae can alter local nutrient conditions; therefore, timely management of macroalgal litter is recommended to reduce potential water-quality deterioration while considering that nutrient release may also provide short-term nutrient supplementation to cultured seaweeds.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147737753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ascophyllum nodosum enhances hepatic antioxidant capacity, serum immunity, immune gene expression, and disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus","authors":"Asmaa Anas Neiana,&nbsp;Hanan A. Ghetas,&nbsp;Mohamed A. Khallaf,&nbsp;Md Reaz Chaklader,&nbsp;Ali A. Soliman,&nbsp;Asem A. Amer,&nbsp;Mustafa Shukry,&nbsp;Hany M. R. Abdel-Latif,&nbsp;Akram Ismael Shehata","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02490-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02490-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Brown seaweed has gained special attention in aquaculture nutrition studies due to its functional bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides. This study evaluated the functional potential of the brown seaweed, <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i>, as a natural immunostimulant and growth promoter in Nile tilapia. A 74-day feeding experiment was conducted using 540 fingerlings (initial body weight 18.4 ± 0.2 g), randomly allocated to six dietary treatments (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 g AS/kg diet) in six triplicate groups. Fish were reared under optimal water conditions. Growth performance improved significantly with AS supplementation, achieving optimal responses at approximately 1.9 g/kg, as reflected in superior specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Hepatic antioxidant defenses, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity were markedly enhanced, whereas malondialdehyde levels declined, signifying reduced oxidative stress. Serum lysozyme activity, bactericidal activity, and total protein levels increased notably, supported by the upregulation of immune-related genes (<i>IL-1β</i>, <i>TLR2</i>, <i>lysozyme</i>, <i>hepcidin</i>). Upon <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i> challenge, fish receiving diets with 1.0–2.0 g AS/kg exhibited significantly higher survival, confirming strengthened immune protection. Cooperatively, <i>A. nodosum</i> supplementation reinforced growth, antioxidant responses, and disease resilience in Nile tilapia, highlighting its promise as an eco-friendly nutraceutical for sustainable aquaculture development.\u0000</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10499-026-02490-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147642292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retraction Note: Mitigating potentials of natural herbal supplements against heavy metal toxicity in freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio","authors":"Arzoo Fatima,&nbsp;Syed Makhdoom Hussain,&nbsp;Shafaqat Ali,&nbsp;Pallab K. Sarker,&nbsp;Khalid A. Al-Ghanim,&nbsp;Eman Naeem","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02534-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02534-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147642294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aquaculture effluent-based cultivation of Scenedesmus acuminatus and its application as an ingredient in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) diets","authors":"Renan Gomes do Nascimento,&nbsp;Raize Castro Mendes,&nbsp;Cláudia Maiza Fernandes Epifânio,&nbsp;Driely Kathriny Monteiro dos Santos,&nbsp;Ligia Uribe Gonçalves,&nbsp;Edinaldo Nelson dos Santos Silva","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02524-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02524-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Aquaculture generates large volumes of nutrient-rich effluents that, if untreated, contribute to eutrophication. Microalgae-based phycoremediation is a sustainable strategy for recycling these effluents while producing high-nutritional-value biomass. This study evaluated the production performance, nutritional composition, and fatty acid profile of <i>Scenedesmus acuminatus</i> cultivated in aquaculture effluent and its inclusion in diets for juvenile tambaqui (<i>Colossoma macropomum</i>). Effluent from intensive <i>Brycon amazonicus</i> tanks was used as the sole nutrient source for cultivation in photobioreactors. The resulting biomass showed consistent production, high crude protein content (52.1%), relevant vitamin E levels (49.04 mg kg⁻¹), and the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3. The biomass was incorporated into five isonitrogenous (32.2% crude protein) and isoenergetic (17.22 MJ kg⁻¹) diets: a control (SA0%) and four inclusion levels (SA1%, SA2%, SA3%, and SA5%). Juvenile tambaqui were fed the experimental diets for five weeks, and growth performance, hematological parameters, whole-body and fillet proximate composition, and fatty acid profiles were evaluated. Across all inclusion levels (1–5%), no significant differences were observed in survival, feed intake, growth performance, or whole-body and fillet proximate composition. Higher inclusion levels (SA3% and SA5%) were associated with increased thrombocyte and neutrophil counts, indicating immunomodulatory responses. The SA3% treatment resulted in a 45% higher omega-3 content in the fillet than the control; however, no statistical differences were detected among treatments (<i>p</i> = 0.21), and the 5% inclusion level did not yield additional increases. These findings reinforce the feasibility of producing <i>S</i>. <i>acuminatus</i> biomass from aquaculture effluent and its use as a functional dietary ingredient, supporting circular bioeconomy strategies for sustainable aquaculture.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10499-026-02524-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147642293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research trends and practical insights on local feed ingredients for freshwater lobster (Cherax spp.) aquaculture: a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis","authors":"Wahyu Pamungkas,&nbsp;Ikhsan Khasani,&nbsp;Manja Meyky Bond,&nbsp;Adam Robisalmi,&nbsp;Zaenal Arifin,&nbsp; Mulyasari,&nbsp;Keukeu Kaniawati Rosada","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02521-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02521-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The increasing dependence on imported fishmeal and soybean meals has heightened the need for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable feed ingredients in freshwater lobster aquaculture. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and structured content analysis of research on local and alternative feed ingredients for <i>Cherax</i> spp. published between 1977 and 2025. A total of 55 Scopus-indexed publications were analyzed using VOSviewer (v1.6.20) and Biblioshiny to examine publication trends, keyword networks, thematic structures, and collaboration patterns. The results indicate a marked increase in research activity after 2017, reflecting growing global interest in sustainable aquafeeds. Four dominant thematic clusters were identified: (1) alternative protein sources and feed formulation, (2) growth performance and digestibility, (3) immunity, physiology, and antioxidant responses, and (4) sustainability and aquaculture systems. The content synthesis highlights that locally sourced ingredients, including plant-based materials, agro-industrial by-products, and insect-derived feeds, are frequently investigated as partial fishmeal substitutes across diverse experimental contexts. Rather than evaluating ingredient efficacy, this study provides a descriptive and integrative overview of research patterns, methodological characteristics, and emerging focus areas. Overall, the findings offer a structured reference for future research design and support evidence-informed exploration of sustainable feed resources for freshwater lobster aquaculture.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147642613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of glycyrrhizic acid on growth performance and hepato-intestinal health of American bullfrogs (Aquarana catesbeiana)","authors":"Zhixiang Bai,&nbsp;Kesong Chen,&nbsp;Xingye Xu,&nbsp;Han Lin,&nbsp;Jingyang Sun,&nbsp;Hua Li,&nbsp;Yueming Hu,&nbsp;Mengzhen Jiang,&nbsp;Wensen Tan,&nbsp;Yanwen Wu,&nbsp;Yebing Yu,&nbsp;Chun Liu","doi":"10.1007/s10499-026-02530-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10499-026-02530-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>High-density aquaculture of the American bullfrog (<i>Aquarana catesbeiana</i>) frequently results in hepatic lipid accumulation and intestinal damage. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary glycyrrhizic acid (GA) can improve growth performance and hepato-intestinal health of bullfrogs reared under high-density conditions, and to identify an effective inclusion level. A total of 1500 bullfrogs were randomly assigned to five dietary groups, receiving diets supplemented with 0 g/kg (GA0), 0.3 g/kg (GA1), 1.5 g/kg (GA2), 3 g/kg (GA3), and 5 g/kg (GA4) GA over a 35-day period. Our findings showed that GA supplementation significantly enhanced the weight gain and survival rates of bullfrogs compared with GA0 (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), while exerting beneficial effects on their hepato-intestinal health. In the intestine, GA improved morphology and increased barrier function, as indicated by increased villus height, goblet cell density, and upregulated tight junction–related gene expression (<i>zo-1</i>, <i>zo-2</i>, <i>zo-3</i>, <i>occludin</i>, and <i>claudin-7</i>). In the liver, GA bolstered antioxidant capacity, evidenced by elevated activities of the key antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, along with a reduced level of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) relative to GA0 (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Histological assessments also showed that GA supplementation diminished the number and size of hepatic lipid droplets, effectively mitigating hepatic lipid deposition. Molecularly, this corresponded with downregulated lipogenic genes (<i>acc1</i>, <i>pparγ</i>) and the upregulated lipolytic gene (<i>atgl</i>) (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Notably, these positive effects generally increased with GA levels up to a peak at 1.5 g/kg (GA2) before declining. This research offers a scientific foundation for utilizing GA as a functional feed additive in bullfrog aquaculture, potentially improving growth, feed efficiency, and overall health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8122,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture International","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}