Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>)
The greater amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>), a key species in marine aquaculture, relies heavily on its intestine for nutrient absorption and immune function. However, the structural and functional specialization of its intestinal segments remains poorly understood. In this study, we...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Kunfeng Zhu Mouyan Jiang Mengyao Yan Yang Huang Tonglin Yang Chunhua Zhu |
| author_facet | Kunfeng Zhu Mouyan Jiang Mengyao Yan Yang Huang Tonglin Yang Chunhua Zhu |
| author_sort | Kunfeng Zhu |
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| description | The greater amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>), a key species in marine aquaculture, relies heavily on its intestine for nutrient absorption and immune function. However, the structural and functional specialization of its intestinal segments remains poorly understood. In this study, we divided the intestine of <i>S. dumerili</i> into foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and conducted a multi-omics analysis integrating histological staining (H&E/AB-PAS), digestive enzyme assays, transcriptome sequencing, and 16S rRNA microbiota profiling to characterize structural, functional, molecular, and microbial differences across intestinal segments. Histological examinations revealed that brush border microvillus length, muscle layer thickness, and folding height were significantly greater in the foregut and hindgut compared to the midgut, while mucus and goblet cell density was higher in the foregut and midgut. Digestive enzyme assays showed that lipase activity peaked in the foregut, α-amylase in the midgut, and protease in the midgut and hindgut. Alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities were highest in the foregut and midgut. Immune-related enzyme activities (SOD (Superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px (Glutathione peroxidase), T-AOC (Total Antioxidant Capacity)) were elevated and MDA levels were lower in the midgut, indicating its role as the primary immune site. Transcriptome analysis identified segment-specific expression of nutrient transporters, such as <i>slc6a19b</i> (hindgut, protein), <i>apoa1b</i> (foregut, lipid), and <i>slc37a4</i> (midgut, carbohydrate). Microbiome analysis revealed <i>Ruminococcus</i> dominance in the foregut (lipid digestion) and <i>Prevotella</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Lactobacillus</i> enrichment in the midgut (carbohydrate metabolism and immunity). These findings highlight functional zonation in <i>S. dumerili</i>: the foregut specializes in lipid digestion, the midgut in carbohydrate metabolism and immunity, and the hindgut in protein digestion. This study provides foundational insights for optimizing aquaculture practices and advancing research in nutrition, immunology, and disease modeling in <i>S. dumerili</i>. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb4f7cf8794846fdbc98bb4101bb9fb5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
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| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-fb4f7cf8794846fdbc98bb4101bb9fb52025-08-20T03:10:54ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011511167210.3390/ani15111672Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>)Kunfeng Zhu0Mouyan Jiang1Mengyao Yan2Yang Huang3Tonglin Yang4Chunhua Zhu5Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaThe greater amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>), a key species in marine aquaculture, relies heavily on its intestine for nutrient absorption and immune function. However, the structural and functional specialization of its intestinal segments remains poorly understood. In this study, we divided the intestine of <i>S. dumerili</i> into foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and conducted a multi-omics analysis integrating histological staining (H&E/AB-PAS), digestive enzyme assays, transcriptome sequencing, and 16S rRNA microbiota profiling to characterize structural, functional, molecular, and microbial differences across intestinal segments. Histological examinations revealed that brush border microvillus length, muscle layer thickness, and folding height were significantly greater in the foregut and hindgut compared to the midgut, while mucus and goblet cell density was higher in the foregut and midgut. Digestive enzyme assays showed that lipase activity peaked in the foregut, α-amylase in the midgut, and protease in the midgut and hindgut. Alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities were highest in the foregut and midgut. Immune-related enzyme activities (SOD (Superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px (Glutathione peroxidase), T-AOC (Total Antioxidant Capacity)) were elevated and MDA levels were lower in the midgut, indicating its role as the primary immune site. Transcriptome analysis identified segment-specific expression of nutrient transporters, such as <i>slc6a19b</i> (hindgut, protein), <i>apoa1b</i> (foregut, lipid), and <i>slc37a4</i> (midgut, carbohydrate). Microbiome analysis revealed <i>Ruminococcus</i> dominance in the foregut (lipid digestion) and <i>Prevotella</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Lactobacillus</i> enrichment in the midgut (carbohydrate metabolism and immunity). These findings highlight functional zonation in <i>S. dumerili</i>: the foregut specializes in lipid digestion, the midgut in carbohydrate metabolism and immunity, and the hindgut in protein digestion. This study provides foundational insights for optimizing aquaculture practices and advancing research in nutrition, immunology, and disease modeling in <i>S. dumerili</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1672greater amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>)intestinedigestion and absorptionimmunemicrobiome |
| spellingShingle | Kunfeng Zhu Mouyan Jiang Mengyao Yan Yang Huang Tonglin Yang Chunhua Zhu Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) Animals greater amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) intestine digestion and absorption immune microbiome |
| title | Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) |
| title_full | Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) |
| title_fullStr | Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) |
| title_short | Characteristics and Functions of Different Intestinal Segments in Juvenile Greater Amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) |
| title_sort | characteristics and functions of different intestinal segments in juvenile greater amberjack i seriola dumerili i |
| topic | greater amberjack (<i>Seriola dumerili</i>) intestine digestion and absorption immune microbiome |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1672 |
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