Aquaculture

Congenital disorders of glycosylation and deglycosylation are rare, serious, and lethal disorders afflicting humans. CDGs and CDDGs result in loss of function enzymes which fail to build or break down oligosaccharides on proteins. This can produce protein aggregates and, in turn, reactive oxygen species that harm the cell eventually leading to autophagy and apoptosis. Because sperm contain high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, they are especially sensitive to these effects, which is understood as one of the leading factors in human male infertility. Sperm are developed in zebrafish similarly to humans and are useful models to examine human reproductive health, as well as genetic disorders. The combination of these advantages makes the analysis of sperm from zebrafish with heterozygous ALG1 or DPAGT1 CDGs or the NGLY1 CDDG suitable. Analysis of sperm concentration, motility, status, viability, and hypoosmotic swelling demonstrated the effects of these disorders on sperm quality. Results showed a significant decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and hypoosmotic swelling for all mutant zebrafish compared to the wild type. This suggests that CDGs and CDDGs influence the amount of sperm produced, the percentage of sperm cells that are mobile, and the integrity of the plasma membrane.

The growing demand for sustainable aquafeeds has intensified interest in alternative protein ingredients capable of reducing reliance on fishmeal without compromising fish performance. Here, we evaluated microbial community-based single-cell protein (SCP) as a fishmeal substitute in juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) diets in two independent feeding trials of juvenile fish conducted over 49 and 56 days, respectively and compared them to a previous study that lasted 24 days. SCP was produced from nutrient-rich soybean-processing side streams by microbial communities in fermenters and incorporated into experimental diets at inclusion levels ranging from 10% to 100% fishmeal replacement. In the 24-day trial, a diet containing 50% fishmeal replacement with lab-scale produced SCP achieved 100% survival and a feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), and weight gain comparable to the fishmeal control diet. In the 49-day trial using pilot-scale produced SCP, a 50% fishmeal replacement also maintained an FCR and feed intake comparable to the control, whereas complete replacement reduced feed intake and growth performance. In a 56-day pilot-scale trial that used 500-L fish tanks, diets containing up to 50% fishmeal replacement maintained comparable survival, weight gain, and SGR, although moderately higher FCR values were observed at higher SCP inclusion levels. Proximate composition and essential amino acid profiles of fish fed control or SCP-containing diets were comparable. Genome-resolved metagenomic analyses revealed diverse microbial taxa associated with the SCP. Collectively, these findings support microbial community-based SCP as a scalable and reproducible alternative protein platform for aquaculture feeds across independent trials and production scales.

Selection for disease resistance forms one of the most highlighted areas of aquaculture breeding. A breeding program for Arctic charr has been operating in Sweden for over 40 years, making it the oldest of its kind worldwide for this species. However, the lack of available genomic resources prevented selection for any disease-resistance traits. A 72k Axiom SNP array was produced in this study and used to assess the potential to select for charr resistant to bacterial kidney disease (BKD), which is currently a major threat to the industry. Following a challenge experiment with Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of BKD, relevant phenotypic proxies were collected from approximately 2,000 charr. Thereafter, those animals were genotyped with the new 72k SNP array. The magnitude of the estimated variance components suggested potential for breeding for BKD resistance in charr, with relevant heritabilities ranging from 0.05 to 0.56 depending on the resistance proxy used. In addition, GWAS suggested that BKD resistance is a polygenic trait. Furthermore, genomic prediction approaches indicated that BKD-resistant animals can be identified using their SNP genotypes. Accuracies, expressed as Pearson correlation coefficients, when BKD resistance was analysed as a continuous trait, ranged from 0.42 to 0.52. In the scenario where BKD resistance was treated as a binary trait, the efficiency of genomic prediction was assessed using ROC curves, with an area under the curve of 0.72. Finally, no unfavourable correlations were found with growth traits. The developed 72k SNP array has the potential of being a pivotal tool for the Swedish Arctic charr breeding program. Moreover, our data support the use of genomic prediction in breeding BKD-resistant Arctic charr. As a critical next step, further validations in actual industry conditions would be required.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of two sustainable dietary protein sources on the structure and composition of the gut microbiota in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. These protein sources were incorporated to the aquafeeds containing (a) Lupinus albus meal, treated with either exogenous enzymes (Solid state hydrolysis-SSH) or fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Solid state fermentation, SSF) and (b) Lagocephalus sceleratus meal. In the first case (a), the control aquafeed simulated a standard commercial diet, containing soybean meal whereas in the rest of the diets soybean meal was partially or totally replaced by hydrolysed or fermented Lupin meal. In the second case (b) the fish were fed Lagocephalus sceleratus unprocessed fishmeal as well as treated at different temperatures to deactivate tetrodotoxin (TTX). A control diet with 30% commercial fish meal was also fed as a reference diet. Both diets in all inclusion levels did not cause any significant gut microbiota change, suggesting their neutral role in this aspect. However, the gut bacterial communities of the fish fed with 12.5% lupin meal inclusion, had increased amino acid biosynthetic pathways suggesting a beneficial effect.

The age at which Atlantic salmon reaches sexual maturity shows a strong hereditary component associated with the vgll3a locus. The role of Vgll3 in maturation has remained unknown in vertebrates until recently, when it has been linked to pleiotropic roles in killifish, both delaying male maturation and affecting lifespan by protecting against cancer. As Atlantic salmon has two vgll3 paralogs, where only vgll3a has been associated with sexual maturation, it may provide a suitable model for studying the maturation-specific function of vgll3, as the other paralog may buffer for pleiotropic roles of vgll3. To address this, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate fish highly mutated in the vgll3a gene. We monitored their maturation and crossed highly mutated crispants to generate two year-classes of complete loss-of-function. All groups were reared under environmental conditions triggering early maturation in one-year-old males. We found a clear difference in the proportion of sexually maturing or mature fish between the different genotypes: in all experiments significantly fewer vgll3a-/- males entered puberty and reached final maturation compared to vgll3a+/- and vgll3a+/+ males. Furthermore, loss of vgll3a resulted in lower frequencies of maturation also in females. We conclude that Vgll3a stimulates maturation and that its complete removal significantly reduced maturation rates in both sexes in Atlantic salmon. Our findings also identify vgll3a as the causative gene in the locus associated with age at sexual maturity. Together, our findings support a new role for Vgll3 in initiating puberty in vertebrates and identifying salmon as a promising model for functional studies regarding the timing of sexual maturation.

Infectious salmon anaemia virus with highly polymorphic region deletions (ISAV-HPR{Delta}) is classified as pathogenic, yet field outbreaks display wide variation in disease severity. To determine the extent of inherent virulence differences among ISAV-HPR{Delta} isolates, we conducted a standardized freshwater bath challenge in Atlantic salmon using ten isolates, including the high-virulent reference strain NO/Glesvaer/2/90 and nine recent Norwegian field isolates. Cumulative mortality, infection kinetics, tissue viral loads, shedding, and pathological changes were characterised through RT-qPCR, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. All isolates established systemic infection, but exhibited pronounced differences in infection dynamics, virus shedding, clinical signs, and pathological outcomes. Cumulative mortality ranged from 15% to 100%, allowing separation of isolates into high- ([&ge;]90%), moderate- (40-50%), and low-mortality (<20%) categories. Isolates with high mortality showed rapid systemic spread, extensive endothelial infection, and significant pathology compatible with infectious salmon anaemia. Shedding profiles of virus to water differed substantially and were not clearly correlated with cumulative mortality, viral RNA load in tissues or mortality. High ISAV RNA was detected in water for the H16 isolate with [~]10 - 100-fold higher viral RNA than H20 and [A]. VA and S, although giving high mortality (>90%), had much lower (shedding (highest RNA range 1.1 - 3.6^102). Segment 5 and 6 sequencing confirmed that all isolates carried genetic mutations typical of pathogenic ISAV except [A], that have an atypical mutation in the putative protease cleavage site on segment 5. However, these mutations alone did not account for the wide biological continuum of mortality.

Parasitic infections pose multifaceted threats to farmed fish, extending beyond direct pathogenicity to facilitate infections of bacteria, viruses, and microparasites. This synergistic interaction often leads to co-infections that significantly exacerbate disease outbreaks and mortality, presenting a severe challenge to aquaculture sustainability. Recently, a novel trypanosomiasis caused by the Trypanosoma carassii spectrum has emerged in cage-cultured Larimichthys crocea along the southeast coast of China, resulting in widespread prevalence and high mortality rates. Although this pathogen is hypothesized to originate from freshwater fish, its transmission route in marine environments has remained elusive. In this study, we investigated potential vectors and intermediate hosts of T. carassii spectrum, including leeches and monogenean in natural marine settings, and simulated transmission pathways using an established laboratory model involving T. carassii spectrum, Micropterus salmoides and the leech Poecilobdella manillensis. First, our field surveys in the coast of Ningde, Fujian Province, revealed a nearly 100% co-infection rate of T. carassii spectrum and the monogenean Neobenedenia girellae in diseased juvenile L. crocea. PCR analysis detected T. carassii spectrum traces in some N. girellae specimens, and subsequent experiments confirmed that N. girellae ingests the trypanosome while feeding on host blood. Furthermore, bacterial co-pathogens, such as Vibrio harveyi, were also detected within N. girellae. We also document two fatal leech infestations: Zeylanicobdella arugamensis in hybrid groupers (Epinephelus moara [female] X Epinephelus lanceolatus [male]) in Zhangpu, and Limnotrachelobdella okae in E. lanceolatus and E. fuscoguttatus in Raoping. These leeches tested negative for trypanosomes but carried pathogenic bacteria that co-infected the host fish; nonetheless, they are established vectors for trypanosome transmission. In a laboratory cohabitation model simulating T. carassii spectrum transmission, infected M. salmoides were housed with healthy conspecifics under three conditions: Group A (with the leech P. manillensis), Group B (no leeches), and Group C (no leeches, with physical separation between infected and healthy fish). After 14 days, blood smear microscopy and PCR analysis revealed infection rates in healthy fish of 58.33% in Group A, 40.00% in Group B, and 0% in Group C. Conclusively, T. carassii spectrum can be transmitted via leeches (with higher efficiency) and may also spread through direct contact under high-density aquaculture conditions, whereas N. girellae may act as an incidental vector, further research is warranted to clarify transmission dynamics in natural marine ecosystems. Additionally, our findings highlight the role of ectoparasites, including N. girellae and leeches, as potential reservoirs and vectors for bacterial pathogens of fish. In high-density intensive aquaculture, this vectorial capacity transforms parasites from primary pathogens into key drivers of polymicrobial disease outbreaks.

Temperatures in aquatic ecosystems have been affected by anthropogenic activities such as agricultural and industrial water use, and climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Changes in water temperature directly affect the cellular and organismal physiology of fishes because most fishes are ectotherms. These effects can take different forms, such as increased cellular stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the type and magnitude of response depend on the duration and the frequency of the exposure to elevated water temperature. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of exposure to daily thermal fluctuations occurring during early-life stages of zebrafish, Danio rerio, on gene expression and CTmax in later developmental stages. To do so, wild-type zebrafish were exposed daily to a + 5{degrees}C fluctuation in temperature from ambient (28 {degrees}C) to 33 {degrees}C over the first 30 days post fertilization (dpf), before being held until 90 dpf at ambient temperature. The fish that experienced daily thermal fluctuation were compared to a control group that was kept at 28 {degrees}C throughout the experiment and sampled at the same timepoints. Samples were collected at 18 (larval), 30, 60 (juvenile), and 90 (adult) dpf to study the expression of heat shock proteins and oxidative stress genes. The thermotolerance of fish was tested using CTmax trials at 60 and 90 dpf. Daily thermal fluctuation over the first 30 dpf led to a significant increase in the expression of hsp47, gstp1a, sod1, and sod2 genes at 60 dpf, and hsp47, hsp90aa1, hsp90ab1, cat, glulb, gstp1a, sod1, and sod2 genes at 90 dpf. The only significant increase detected during the larval stage was glulb at 18 dpf. Fish that experienced thermal fluctuation also had a higher CTmax at 60 dpf, but this increased thermotolerance significantly decreased from 60 to 90 dpf, where it was not different between treatments. Overall, our study demonstrates that early-life thermal stress increased cellular stress responses and thermotolerance in zebrafish into later ontological stages.

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrates, yet assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) remain underutilised in their conservation. We developed and evaluated a biologically relevant, non-lethal sperm collection protocol for Rana muscosa, a critically endangered frog in a long-term conservation breeding program. Thirteen hormone treatments were tested across six post-injection time points, and sperm quality was assessed via concentration, motility, osmolality, and pH. Generalised linear mixed models revealed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRHa) alone significantly outperformed hCG-based regimens. The 3 {micro}g/g GnRHa dose yielded the highest sperm concentration and sustained motility from 3 to 24 hours post-injection. Motility was highest under moderately acidic (pH 6.5-7.0) and hypoosmotic (75-100 mOsm/kg) conditions. To support decision-making, we applied a refined Wildlife Sperm Index (WSI) that weights motility and concentration as primary functional-yield traits, with motility given greater relative weight given its direct role in fertilisation, and treats pH and osmolality as secondary environmental-compatibility traits. Under this revised composite score, 3 {micro}g/g GnRHa achieved the highest overall WSI score, outperforming 2 {micro}g/g and 4 {micro}g/g GnRHa, which ranked second and third, respectively, despite their more favourable pH and osmolality profiles. These findings provide the first evidence-based ART protocol for R. muscosa and offer a transferable framework for optimising gamete collection, IVF, and cryopreservation in line with other amphibian species, advancing both genetic management and species recovery goals.

Understanding how to maintain and direct spermatogenesis in vitro is central to advancing reproductive biotechnologies in aquaculture species where the ability to generate gametes outside the organism could facilitate selective breeding, genetic modification, and germline preservation. However, current culture systems remain poorly defined in farmed fish species. In Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), progress has been further limited by the absence of a comprehensive reference atlas of testicular cell types, making it difficult to determine how cells maintained in culture relate to their native counterparts. To address this, we first established a single-cell RNA atlas of the Atlantic salmon testis from freshly isolated tissue, resolving somatic and germ cell populations across all major stages of spermatogenesis. Primary testicular cells were then cultured under distinct conditions designed to promote either proliferation or differentiation for 14 days and subsequently subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing. To assign cell identities in cultured samples, the transcriptional profiles of cultured cells were computationally mapped onto the atlas, allowing direct comparison of cultured and native cell states. This approach revealed pronounced, condition-specific shifts in cellular composition. Proliferation medium supplemented with epidermal growth factors (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) enriched spermatogonial populations, indicating preferential support of undifferentiated and actively dividing germ cells. In contrast, basal medium favoured the preferential survival of Sertoli cells in the absence of defined growth cues. A differentiation medium containing hormones that stimulate male gonad development (gonadotropins and androgens) failed to robustly promote meiotic progression. Further, comparative analysis of Sertoli cells across different conditions (in vivo and in vitro) revealed a loss of canonical identity markers and induction of stress-associated transcriptional programs in vitro compared to in vivo, indicating a shift away from specialised somatic function. Together, these findings establish the first single-cell reference atlas of Atlantic salmon testis and provide a framework for evaluating and optimising testis culture systems in salmonids. While early germ cell populations could be maintained and enriched in vitro, progression through later stages of spermatogenesis remained limited, indicating that important biological requirements of the native testicular environment are not yet fully recapitulated under current culture conditions.

Parental qualities can influence the development and fitness of their offspring via genetic and non-genetic effects. Although these effects are often linked to parental phenotypes, the effect of parental genetic variation linked with relevant phenotypes is less well understood. We performed full factorial crosses based on parental genotypes for an age-at-maturity-related gene, vgll3, to investigate how the parental genotypes influence Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) offspring survival, growth, and development in their early life. Beyond the connection with age at maturity, the additional association between vgll3 and body condition in Atlantic salmon offers a potential pathway by which the maternal vgll3 genotype could influence offspring early life fitness. Combined with measurements of maternal phenotype and egg characteristics, the crossing design therefore allowed us to disentangle the maternal and paternal genetic and non-genetic contributions to variation in offspring survival and phenotypic traits. The phenotypic traits measured were hatching length and yolk sac area, growth, and yolk sac consumption and conversion efficiency. Parental vgll3 genotype did not influence the majority of our measured egg traits or alevin traits except for a genetic effect of paternal vgll3 genotype on offspring survival, whereby the paternal late maturation allele was associated with higher survival. Maternal effects were strongest for survival and for traits associated with hatching and weaker for alevin growth and yolk sac usage. Paternal effects on the measured alevin traits were negligible. The results from our study demonstrate that both maternal and paternal effects have the potential to influence offspring early life fitness traits.

Health monitoring is essential to ensure laboratory animal welfare and the reliability of experimental data in zebrafish research facilities. Conventional surveillance strategies based on resident or sentinel fish have limitations in terms of sensitivity and animal use, highlighting the need for alternative approaches consistent with the 3Rs principles. In this perspective, the present study evaluated the use of sludge collected from recirculating aquaculture systems as an environmental matrix for molecular health monitoring. Because sludge accumulates microorganisms and organic material from the entire system, it represents a promising sample for pathogen detection. Following an initial environmental surveillance phase to detect pathogens present in the system, the study aimed to optimise a molecular protocol for sludge analysis. To this end, four commercial DNA extraction kits were evaluated to assess their effectiveness in recovering bacterial DNA from sludge. Their performance was analysed by quantitative PCR in terms of extraction efficiency, repeatability, and limit of detection. The results highlighted the strengths and limitations of each DNA extraction protocol and confirmed the suitability of sludge as a non-lethal matrix for pathogen detection. These findings support the implementation of environmental monitoring as a practical and cost-effective alternative to sentinel-based surveillance, improving pathogen detection while reducing animal use in accordance with the 3Rs principles and Directive 2010/63/EU.

Charrs (Salvelinus spp.) are strong candidates for cyclical feed-restriction strategies due to their documented exceptional ability to withstand and recover from feed resources scarcity during winter (Drouin-Johnson et al. 2026; Le Francois et al. 2023; Savoie et al. 2017). Dietary nucleotides (NT) are supplements used to improve growth and health in fish, yet their integration into feed-restriction programs to enhance growth recovery remains largely unexplored. The one-carbon (1C) metabolism offers a mechanistic framework to investigate these effects, as it relies on vitamin B status and supports methylation reactions central to biosynthesis and growth. A large-scale trial involving S. alpinus x S. fontinalis was conducted, comprising a 90-day fasting period followed by refeeding on a commercial feed with or without NT. Growth and feeding metrics were evaluated alongside key metabolites of 1C metabolism to assess adaptations to fasting-induced vitamin B deficiency and the role of NT in recovery. Starved fish lost 5.2 % of body mass (p < 0.05) but displayed accelerated growth upon refeeding, further enhanced by NT supplementation by 27.8 % (p < 0.05), forecasting full compensation after 125 days. Starvation increased homocysteine and decreased methionine concentrations (p < 0.05), while S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, and formate showed only minor fluctuations. These patterns indicate moderate but reversible fluctuations of 1C metabolism. NT supplementation may exert a methyl-unit sparing effect during refeeding, potentially supporting anabolic recovery. This study uniquely combines commercial-scale growth trials and molecular analyses, providing new insights into a species-adapted feeding strategy that enhances growth recovery performances and metabolic resilience.

Ulva prolifera and U. linza are closely related species, with abundant adult thalli and reproductive cells co-occurring extensively in time and space during the Yellow Sea green tides. Elucidating their hybridization compatibility is crucial for species delimitation, assessing interspecific gene flow, and evaluating the ecological impacts of green tides. Previous studies suggested asymmetric gamete compatibility (only U. prolifera mt+ x U. linza mt-), but lacked sex-linked markers to reliably identify hybrid diploids and their reproductive modes, and did not examine chloroplast inheritance. Here, we performed bidirectional crosses using sexual strains of different geographic origins from both parents, with sex-linked markers to quantify progeny genotypes, examine fertility and reproduction pathway of F1 hybrids, and trace chloroplast inheritance using the species-specific petB marker. Our results showed that: (1) F1 hybrids were obtained in both cross directions, with significantly higher frequency in the direct cross (U. linza mt+ x U. prolifera mt-), indicating no complete reproductive isolation in either direction; the biased compatibility likely reflected genetic background differences among the limited strain combinations in a single study. (2) A considerable number of germinated progeny arose from parthenogenesis of parental gametes. (3) F1 hybrids from both crosses could undergo meiosis to form gametes and develop into gametophytes; additionally, F1 from the reciprocal cross produced diploid spores for asexual reproduction, suggesting meiotic disturbance. (4) Chloroplasts were maternally inherited in selfing of U. prolifera parent, but in all F1 hybrids they were paternally inherited, indicating a potential reversal of the inheritance pattern due to interspecific hybridization. These findings provided new insights into the potential for genetic exchange between U. prolifera and U. linza.

Vertebrate sex determination is highly diverse, with distinct mechanisms that have evolved repeatedly and independently across phylogeny. The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is an extant jawless vertebrate that remains sexually labile during its larval stage that lasts around 3-20 years. Their gonad contains bipotential, female, and male germ cells before metamorphosis. To examine the genetic programs in germ cells at different developmental stages, we profiled transcriptomes of dissociated gonadal cells from larvae and recently metamorphosed juvenile (transformers, sex-determined) using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (BD FACS Aria IIu) and PIPseqTM (Fluent BioSciences/Illumina). 66,676 cells were sequenced and classified into 19 cell clusters according to their gene expression profiles. Primordial germ cells differentially expressed genes encoding various heat-shock proteins, hormones, growth factors, and their receptors, and proteins sensitive to iron, nitrogen starvation, sugar and lipid metabolisms, and oxidative stress, providing possible links between environmental factors, cellular functions, and cell fate determinants. Germ cells in larvae had enriched expression of genes involved in DNA replication, transcription, translation, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, cell differentiation, cell adhesion and migration, cell survival, chromatin remodeling, and proliferation. Specifically, female germ cells differentially expressed various transcript isoforms of AEP1, CUZD1, S100A1, and ZP genes, whereas male germ cells differentially expressed BOLL and PIWIL1. Pseudotime trajectory and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that genes with changing expressions along the female differentiation pathway were involved in binding of sperm to zona pellucida, egg coat formation, prevention of polyspermy and positive regulation of acrosome reaction. On the other hand, genes with changing expressions along the male differentiation pathway were involved in ribosome assembly and translation. Several WNT5 transcripts were differentially expressed in germ cells or somatic cells. Our results suggest that sea lamprey sex determination and sexual differentiation likely involve the coordinated action of numerous genes that interact with various environmental factors and regulate germ cell specification and development.

Absorption of CO2 by global oceans is decreasing pH resulting in ocean acidification (OA). Impacts on shellfish have been documented in ecologically and commercially important species. We examined the influence of diet and OA between two populations of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) a species of aquaculture importance and declining wild populations. Populations experience different exposure histories: strong upwelling (Van Damme, California [VD]) historically exposed to low-pH conditions and weak-intermittent upwelling (Santa Barbara, California [SB]). Abalone were cultured under control-pH or OA-conditions and fed crustose coralline algae (CCA) or diatoms used in aquaculture. We tested treatment effects of population, settlement diet, and OA-exposure on survival as influenced by larval-energy stores. Survival in both populations was enhanced by CCA when cultured under both treatment conditions; however, by later stages, this effect remained only for SB. SB had reduced post-settlement survival when cultured under OA-conditions, whereas post-settlement survival of VD was not. Diet affected the relationship between larval-energy and post-settlement survival; a positive relationship when fed diatoms and a negative relationship with CCA. The relationship between larval energy and post-settlement survival was stronger in VD. CCA enhanced juvenile growth in SB cultured abalone at both three-months and one-year post-settlement. Settlement diets can reduce the impacts of OA on early-life stages of abalone, but population differences driven by underlying energetics affect the consistency of this outcome. These findings illuminate the impacts from OA, suggesting populations may be at risk, and inform strategies for developing and sustaining shellfish aquaculture in the face of changing ocean conditions.

Spermidine is a ubiquitous biogenic amine that is known to promote growth, development and autophagy. The silk glands of Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) produce mulberry silk, which has high economic value. Silk is released during the formation of a cocoon, and the glands undergo degradation involving both autophagy and apoptosis. The present study explores the effect of spermidine feeding on the maturation of B. mori 5th instar larvae with particular emphasis on its role in growth at the end of the larval stage and during the early phase of the silk gland degeneration. 5th instar larvae were divided into two groups and fed with control and spermidine-treated mulberry leaves. At the end of the 5th instar stage, the spermidine group showed a significant increase in body and silk gland weights, which helped in achieving larval critical weight prior to the control group. Significantly elevated levels of Atg8 expression, an increased number of lysosomes and high chromatin condensation were observed in the Spd group during the early larval - pupal transition phase, which helped in prior silk gland degeneration.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of curcumin and penicillin-streptomycin as diluents on changes in the structure and diversity of the chicken semen microbiome during storage. Semen was collected from Kampung chickens (native to Indonesia) and divided into five treatment groups: diluted without antibiotics or curcumin (control), and diluted with additions of 10 micromolar, 20 micromolar, and 30 micromolar curcumin, and penicillin-streptomycin, respectively. The semen was stored at 5 C for 24 hours. The composition and diversity of the semen microbiome were analyzed using 16S full-length amplicon sequencing. Analysis of the top 10 species showed that Uncultured Saccharofermentans sp. and Porphyromonas somerae served as the most dominant and stable core microbiome across all treatments. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the addition of curcumin and penicillin-streptomycin reduced microbial richness (Observed, ChaO1, ACE, and Fisher) in a dose-dependent manner, yet maintained overall diversity (Shannon and Simpson), with the penicillin-streptomycin treatment resulting in the highest species evenness (InvSimpson). Beta diversity analysis revealed extreme separation of taxonomic abundance variance in the penicillin-streptomycin group, whereas the curcumin treatment exhibited a dose-dependent pattern of microbial abundance transition. Venn diagram analysis identified 415 OTUs as the core microbiome and confirmed that curcumin acts through selective filtering that stabilizes the ecosystem without triggering the proliferation of opportunistic taxa. Penicillin-streptomycin acts more rapidly and dominantly in suppressing/killing bacterial populations, however, the addition of curcumin is able to modulate the microbial ecosystem in a more balanced manner by suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria without compromising the integrity of the chicken semen environment.

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) is a severe disease affecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and a wide range of wild freshwater and marine fish species. VHSV threatens rainbow trout aquaculture, as it may cause 100% mortality in fry. Previous studies identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3 associated with resistance to VHSV waterborne challenge and reduced viral replication in fin explants, although these findings were obtained using limited genetic diversity. The objective of this study was to validate and extend the identification of genomic regions associated with resistance to VHSV in the genetically diverse rainbow trout line designated "synthetic." A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using whole-genome sequences from parents of progeny classified as resistant or susceptible to a VHSV waterborne challenge. While the QTL on chromosome 3 was not validated in the synthetic line, four novel suggestive SNPs associated with survival following VHSV waterborne challenge were identified on chromosomes 6, 8, 17, and 32. Notably, one SNP on chromosome 17 was located within a gene potentially involved in antiviral defence, a paralog of lrp1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1). To further investigate its role, lrp1 function was analysed in vitro using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Three independent lrp1-/- CHSE-EC cell lines were generated and challenged with VHSV. The results showed that lrp1 is not essential for viral entry but may modulate the inflammatory response during VHSV infection in epithelial cell lines.

Here, we report the first genetic confirmation of golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) in North America, and the subsequent development, optimization, and deployment of golden mussel eDNA monitoring procedures. Aquatic species invasions are economically costly, disrupt ecosystem functionality, and impact native aquatic communities. Early detection of new invasive species enables rapid response via implementation of effective eradication or control measures and is key for reducing harmful outcomes. Initial species detection and taxonomic identification can be aided by genetic methods that have high detection sensitivity and accuracy. Genetic methods such as environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling can be used to detect invasive species before they become established in new systems, providing an early alert system to inform resource managers. Golden mussels were first detected in North America in October 2024 near the Port of Stockton in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE). The SFE is particularly vulnerable to invasion due to the access and connectivity provided by the presence of engineering infrastructure and shipping lanes. Collaborative efforts between public agencies and academic institutions are underway to develop a coordinated detection and response plan. Early detection followed by a rapid response is the best defense against prolific invasive species, such as the golden mussel.