Project description:World aquaculture production of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is estimated to account for 80% of the total shrimp produce worldwide. The global demand for shrimp has driven the industry to utilize and rely on semi-intensive and intensive shrimp systems. In the United States, Pacific white shrimp production can take place in semi-intensive earthen ponds, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), biofloc technology and green water. In this study, the effects of lowering dissolved oxygen conditions in outdoor green water tanks on global gene expression is examined. Tissue samples from the gill and intestine were collected for gene expression analysis via RNA sequencing. Among all comparisons, RNA sequencing revealed the up-regulation of a single gene: hydroxyacid oxidase 1 gene. The HOA1 gene was found to be 7-fold higher in the intestine sample at the medium aeration level compare to that of the high (control) level. The HAO1 gene, also known as glycolate oxidase 1 (GOX1) is a gene related to the 2-hydroxyacid oxidase enzyme that is part of the oxidoreductase family and plays a role in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. The identification of a single differentially expressed gene across all analyzed samples suggests that Pacific white shrimp exposed to lowering dissolved oxygen set points does not induce global changes in gene expression at these levels.
