Abstract
This study investigated whether adding Herba Houttuyniae to feed can improve intestinal function and prevent diseases for koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) infected with Aeromonas veronii. There was a total of 168 koi carp with an average body length of (9.43 ± 0.99) cm and an average body weight of (26.00 ± 11.40) g. The K group was the control group fed with basal feed, while the C group was fed with feed with a H. houttuyniae content of six per thousand. After 14 days of feeding, the fish were fasted for a day and then intraperitoneally injected with A. veronii for artificial infection, injection dose is 0.2 mL, and the concentration is 1 × 107 CFU/mL. Samples were collected from the two groups on days 0, 1, 2, and 4. The fold height, intestinal villus width, and muscle layer thickness in the gut of the koi carp were measured. In addition, on day 4, the activities of trypsin, α-amylase, and lipase in the gut were determined, and the intestinal flora of the carp in both groups was tested. The results showed that on the second and fourth days of sampling, the fold height and muscle layer thickness in the C group were significantly higher than those in the K group (P < 0.05). The villus width in the C group was slightly higher than that in the K group, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Microscopic observation revealed that the intestinal structure of the carp in the C4 (day 4 in C group) group was more intact than that in the K4 (day 4 in K group) group. Moreover, the activities of trypsin, α-amylase, and lipase in the foregut and midgut in the C4 group were higher than those in the K4 group (P < 0.05). The activities of trypsin and α-amylase in the hindgut in the C4 group were higher than those in the K4 group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, beneficial bacteria, especially those in the genus Cetobacterium, were more abundant in the intestinal tract of the carp in the C4 group compared to the K group. In addition, comparisons and tests of IL-4 and IL-10 in the intestines of the fish in both groups demonstrated that the H. houttuyniae added to feed enhanced the immune function of the fish intestines after bacterial attack. In conclusion, for koi carp infected with A.veronii, adding H. houttuyniae to their feed not only improves the activity of digestive enzymes and the morphological structure of the intestine but also optimizes the beneficial intestinal microbiota, thereby protecting the intestinal tract.
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The data generated in this study are included in the article, and any further reasonable requests can be made by contacting the appropriate author. No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.
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Acknowledgements
The present study obtained Tianjin Baodi District Agricultural Science and Technology Plan Project (202006), Tianjin Freshwater Aquaculture Industry Technology System Innovation Team Construction Project (ITTFRS2021000), and Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Plan Project (22CX8NE208).
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Junyi Qiu, Luhan You: conduct of the experiment, sample collection, data measurement and analysis, writing of the first draft. Zhaojun Lv: sample collection, measure biochemical parameters. Yajun Zhu: determination of biochemical indicators, operation of scientific instruments. Chengxun Chen, Xueliang Sun: provision of test sites, funding, writing reviews. Hongyue Shi: mix and prepare feed. Zhenzhen Fang: experimental design, funding, writing reviews and revisions. All authors have reviewed the manuscript.
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The care and use of this experimental animal complied with [Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wildlife] and [Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Experimental Animals], approved by Decree No. 47 of the 12th session of the President of the People’s Republic of China and Decree No. 676 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, respectively. Therefore, the koi carp used in this experiment are not protected animals, and scientific tests can be conducted; all of the koi carps that died in this trial were used for formal and legal sample collection.
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Qiu, J., You, L., Lv, Z. et al. Influence of Herba Houttuyniae added to fodder on the morphological structure of the intestinal tract, the digestive enzymes, the intestinal flora, and immune function of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) infected with Aeromonas veronii. Fish Physiol Biochem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-024-01352-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-024-01352-3