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In vitro Selection of Synbiotics and in vivo Investigation of Growth Indices, Reproduction Performance, Survival, and Ovarian Cyp19α Gene Expression in Zebrafish Danio rerio

Summary

Scientists tested a combination of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus strains) mixed with mushroom extract as a food supplement for farmed fish. After 4 months of feeding this supplement to zebrafish, the fish grew faster, converted food more efficiently, and showed improved reproductive capability with increased egg production. The mushroom extract helped the beneficial bacteria thrive and function better, suggesting this natural supplement could improve fish farming outcomes.

Background

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in fish health, growth, and disease prevention. Probiotics and prebiotics (synbiotics) have been used to improve fish performance, but probiotic colonization remains challenging. This study tested the compatibility of plant-based prebiotics with Lactobacillus probiotics for aquaculture applications.

Objective

To screen Jerusalem artichoke and button mushroom extracts in vitro for their ability to promote the growth of two Lactobacillus probiotic strains, and to validate the selected synbiotic formulation in vivo using zebrafish as a model organism for growth, survival, and reproductive performance.

Results

Both probiotic strains showed maximum growth at 50% mushroom extract concentration. The synbiotic formulation combining L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and 50% mushroom extract significantly improved weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion ratio in zebrafish. Reproductive performance indices and cyp19a gene expression were significantly upregulated in fish fed the complete synbiotic formulation.

Conclusion

A synbiotic combination of L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and mushroom extract (50%) demonstrates promising potential as a functional feed additive for improving growth and reproductive performance in farmed fish species, with associated upregulation of reproductive genes.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMC8521104; PMID: 34671338; DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.758758
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