The effect of air exposure and re-water on gill microstructure and molecular regulation of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Abstract

The Penaeus vannamei is an important shrimp species with enormous commercial and ecological values. In production process, the air exposure resistance is vital for live transportation without water. We tested the air exposure resistant ability of P. vannamei, and carried out gill histological observation and gene expression analysis. The physiology and molecular response to the air exposure stress of P. vannamei was revealed. We found that body weight could affect the air exposure tolerance. Air exposure caused epithelial cell of gill filament shrinking and tissue fluid exudation within half of hour, and triggered oxidative stress response. After retrieved to water, epithelial cell shrinking and tissue fluid exudation recovered gradually, but oxidative and antioxidant response is still going on. Organisms reduced oxidative stress by regulating levels of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes that remove reactive oxygen species (ROS) and RNA and DNA processing to repair tissue damage, and expression of apoptosis associated-genes altered. Furthermore, the survive shrimps could live steadily more than 5 days, and their gill filament recovered to normal state, proving that the damage of air exposure is reversible. These findings could be considered in the waterless live transportation of P. vannamei.

Keywords: Air exposure; Oxidative stress; Penaeus vannamei; Re-water; Shrimp.