Work

Effects of dietary supplementation with zinc methionine on gonadal development, growth, and intestinal microbiota in female giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of adding different levels of Zinc Methionine（Zn-Met）in feed on growth, gonadal development, and intestinal microbiota of female Macrobrachium rosenbergii . Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated, with supplemented Zn-Met at levels of 0 (CON), 30 (ZM30), 60 (ZM60), 90 (ZM90), and 120 (ZM120) mg/kg, respectively. The actual Zn levels in the diets were 49.82, 80.21, 104.68, 137.97, and 164.01 mg/kg, respectively. Prawns (10.7 ± 0.4 g) were fed for 56 days. The results showed that the ZM60 and ZM120 groups had significantly higher survival rate ( P < 0.05). The weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly higher in the ZM60, ZM90, and ZM120 groups ( P < 0.05). The ZM90 group had significantly higher gonadosomatic index ( P < 0.05), and the proportion of ovarian stage IV reached 58.39%, which was significantly higher than CON group ( P < 0.05). The serum vitellogenin level in the ZM90 group was significantly higher than in the other groups ( P < 0.05). The serum levels of 17β-estradiol in the ZM90 and ZM120 groups were significantly higher than other groups ( P < 0.05), and the progesterone level in the ZM60 group was significantly higher than other groups ( P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis indicated that the ZM90 group significantly upregulated the expression of 17β-HSD , VgR, cyclin B, and cyclin E genes ( P < 0.05). Analysis of Intestinal microbiota revealed that Zn - Met supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactococcus , inhibited Aeromonas . In conclusion, the optimal actual Zn level for female M. rosenbergii ovarian development is 114.62–150.68 mg/kg, which can enhance the growth performance, gonadal development, and microbial diversity of female M. rosenbergii . • Dietary Zn-Met increased gonadosomatic index in giant river prawn. • Dietary Zn-Met elevated serum sex hormones (E2, VTG, PROG). • Zn-Met upregulated gonadal development genes ( E75, 17β-HSD, VgR, cyclinB, cyclin E, AKT). • Zn-Met altered intestinal microbiota composition in giant river prawn. • Optimal dietary Zn: 114.62–150.68 mg/kg for ovarian development in female M. rosenbergii .

Source: Aquaculture Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.aqrep.2026.103512