Effects of dietary protein level on reproductive performance, transcriptomics and metabolomics of ovaries of female northern snakehead (<i>Channa argus</i>) broodstock.

ABSTRACT: The study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels on reproductive performance, egg quality, and larval health of the northern snakehead (Channa argus) broodstocks. A total of 450 female northern snakeheads (16 months old), averaging 731.49 ± 3.51 g, were randomly distributed into 15 cement pools, with each pool containing 30 fish. Five isolipidic diets comprising 34%, 38%, 42%, 46%, and 50% crude protein (labeled as CAP34, CAP38, CAP42, CAP46, and CAP50) were formulated and fed to experimental fish for 4 months. The results showed that the fertilization rates of northern snakehead broodstock in the CAP42 and CAP46 groups were significantly higher than those in other groups (P = 0.049). The optimal dietary protein levels for northern snakehead broodstock were 41% and 42.2% based on fertilization rate and malformation rate. The plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and estradiol (E2) contents were reduced significantly with the increasing dietary protein levels from 38% to 46% (P < 0.05). Ovarian amino acid (AA) content increased significantly with the increasing dietary protein levels from 34% to 42%, followed by a plateau, while highly unsaturated fatty acid content was significantly higher in the CAP42 group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Metabolomic and transcriptomic results indirectly indicated that 42% of dietary protein benefited steroid hormone biosynthesis, while 50% of dietary protein facilitated AA metabolism, and 34% of dietary protein enhanced arachidonic acid metabolism. In conclusion, 42% dietary protein is the optimal level for improving gonad development and egg quality in female C. argus by promoting nutrient accumulation and steroid hormone synthesis.

SUBMITTER: Fei S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12907884 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature