Optimum salinity for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth and mRNA transcripts of ion-regulation, inflammatory, stress- and immune-related genes

We aim to study the optimum salinity concentration for Nile tilapia, through the assessment of its growth performance and the expression of its related genes (Gh and Igf-1), as well as its salinity adaptation and immune status through the assessment of the gene expression of ion-regulation genes (Na+/K+-ATPase alpha-1a and alpha-1b), stress-related genes (GST, HSP27, and HSP70), inflammatory-related genes (IL1, IL8, CC, and CXC chemokine), and immune-related genes (IgMH TLR7, MHC, and MX) at the osmoregulatory organs (gills, liver, and kidney). Based on the least mortality percentage and the physical appearance of the fish, three salt concentrations (6, 16, and 20 ppt) were chosen following a 6-month preliminary study using serial salt concentrations ranged from 6 to 36 ppt, which were obtained by rearing the fish in gradual elevated pond salinity through daily addition of 0.5 ppt saline water. The fish size was 10.2-12 cm and weight was 25.5-26.15 g. No significant differences in the fish weight gain were observed among the studied groups. The group reared at 16-ppt salt showed better performance than that of 20 ppt, as they have lower morality % and higher expression of ion-regulated gene (Na+/K+-ATPase alpha 1-b), stress-related genes (GST, HSP27, and HSP70) of the gills and also GST, inflammatory-related genes (IL-1 beta and IL8), and TLR in the liver tissue. Higher expression of kidney-immune-related genes at 20-ppt salt may indicate that higher salinity predispose to fish infection and increased mortality. We concluded that 16-ppt salinity concentration is suitable for rearing O. niloticus as the fish are more adaptive to salinity condition without changes in their growth rate. Also, we indicate the use of immune stimulant feed additive to overcome the immune suppressive effect of hyper-salinity. Additionally, the survival of some fish at higher salinity concentrations (30-34 ppt) increase the chance for selection for salinity resistance in the Nile tilapia.