Dietary Inactivated Microbial Cells and Sargassum sp. Modulate Shrimp Immunity via Transcriptomic Pathways

Disease outbreaks, particularly Acute Hepatopancreas Necrosis Disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, pose significant economic challenges in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp aquaculture. Traditional antibiotic use is being phased out due to resistance and environmental concerns, necessitating sustainable alternatives. Natural immunostimulants, such as those derived from seaweed like Sargassum sp. and inactivated microbial cells, offer a promising eco-friendly approach to enhance shrimp non-specific immune responses and improve disease resistance.

Researchers investigated the immune-modulating effects of dietary inactivated microbial cells combined with Sargassum sp. in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp. The study utilized a transcriptomic analysis approach to comprehensively evaluate changes in gene expression related to immune pathways. This method aimed to identify specific molecular mechanisms by which these natural immunostimulants enhance the shrimp's innate immune system, providing insights into their potential for disease prevention in aquaculture.

The study performed transcriptomic analysis to investigate immune gene expression changes in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp fed dietary immunostimulants. This approach aimed to identify specific immune pathways and genes modulated by the combined inactivated microbial cells and Sargassum sp. supplementation, particularly those related to non-specific immunity and resistance against pathogens like Vibrio parahaemolyticus. While the provided text details the rationale and methodology, specific numerical findings regarding gene upregulation, downregulation, or statistical significance are not available in this introductory section. The research sought to uncover the molecular basis of enhanced immune parameters, such as total hemocyte count, phagocytosis activity, and phenoloxidase activity, which are generally boosted by such natural immunostimulants.