Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Phenoloxidase Expression and Activity in Penaeus Shrimps: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Context: Immunostimulants promote immune response and growth, and raise stress and aquaculture disease resistance. At times, the results are contradictory and misleading regarding their utilization. Accordingly, the following problematic was stated: Could the related scientific literature on prebiotics and probiotics that evaluate the indicators of the immune system of shrimps be the basis for decision-making in shrimp-culture immunostimulant use? Aim: To evaluate the influence of prebiotics and probiotics on the phenoloxidase expression and activity in Penaeus shrimps, using meta-analysis for decision-making in shrimp culture. Methods: Several searches were conducted in Pubmed, Science Direct, and Scopus, between 2008 and 2019, related to the influence of immunostimulants on phenoloxidase activity and gene expression. The statistical analysis was conducted by means of Metanalysis 0.9.2., with a 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 262 scientific articles on prebiotic and probiotic evaluation in Penaeus shrimps were compiled. Out of them, 61 met the inclusion criteria for immunological response: 51 dealt with phenoloxidase activity, and 11 studied prophenoloxidase. Both prebiotics and probiotics stimulated the enzyme and proenzyme; the plant extracts had a major role in the modification of this activity, whereas the Bacilli produced the highest stimulation. Conclusions: The scientific literature on Penaeus shrimp phenoloxidase activity indicated careful evaluation due to the experimental design and way expressed in the results.