Effects of dietary supplementation of Clostridium butyricum H129 on growth performance and intestinal health of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of Clostridium butyricum H129 on the growth performance and intestinal health of Scophthalmus maximus was investigated in an indoor circulating aquaculture system during an 8-week trial period. Three hundred sixty healthy turbots were randomly divided into four groups fed with C. butyricum H129 at different concentrations (0, 106, 107, and 108 CFU/g), respectively. In terms of terminal body weight, weight gain rate and specific growth rate of turbot, the CB2 (107 CFU/g) group performed best. The amylase enzyme activity of the intestine was significantly increased in CB2 groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, it was demonstrated that C. butyricum increased the thickness, width and height of the intestine epithelium of turbot, parallel with the significantly transcriptional up-regulation of tight junction proteins. Furthermore, the transcripts of proinflammatory cytokine were down-regulated and intestinal inflammation was inhibited by regulating the immune system in C. butyricum-administered groups, especially in CB2 group. As a result, C. butyricum H129 might enhance intestinal physical barrier function and anti-infection capacity in turbot. Moreover, dietary supplementation with C. butyricum H129 significantly improved the diversity of the intestinal microflora as well as increased the relative abundance of potential probiotic-related genera including Clostridiales and Bacillales in turbot. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with C. butyricum H129 can enhance the mucosal barrier function, and actively regulate the intestinal microflora, resulting in improving the growth performance of S. maximus.

Keywords

• Scophthalmus maximus
• Clostridium butyricum
• Growth performance
• Immune response
• Intestinal health