Integrated Transcriptome and 16S rDNA Analyses Reveal That Transport Stress Induces Oxidative Stress and Immune and Metabolic Disorders in the Intestine of Hybrid Yellow Catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco♀ x Pseudobagrus vachellii♂)

Live fish are often transported in aquaculture. To explore the effects of transport stress, hybrid yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco female x Pseudobagrus vachellii male) were subjected to simulated transport treatments (0-16 h) with 96 h of recovery after the 16-h transport treatment, and intestinal biochemical parameters, the transcriptome, and gut microbiota were analyzed. Transportation affected the number of mucus cells and led to oxidative stress in the intestine, which activated immune responses. Changes in lipid metabolism reflected metabolic adaptation to oxidative stress. Toll-like receptor signaling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling, and steroid biosynthesis pathways were involved in the transport stress response. Gene expression analyses indicated that transport-induced local immune damage was reversible, whereas disordered metabolism recovered more slowly. A 16S rDNA analysis revealed that transport stress decreased the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota and disrupted its homeostasis. The dominant phyla (Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes) and genera (Cetobacterium, Barnesiellaceae) were involved in the antioxidant, immune, and metabolic responses of the host to transportation stress. Correlation analyses suggested that gut microbes participate in the transport stress response and the host-microbiota interaction may trigger multiple events in antioxidant, immune, and metabolic pathways. Our results will be useful for optimizing transport processes.

Automated summary

Transport stress in hybrid yellow catfish resulted in decreased mucus cells and oxidative stress in the intestine, leading to activation of immune responses. Lipid metabolism changes reflected adaptation to oxidative stress. The transportation stress reduced gut microbiota diversity and disrupted its homeostasis. Gut microbes played an important role in the antioxidant, immune, and metabolic responses to transportation stress through host-microbiota interaction.