Effects of salinity acclimation on the growth performance, osmoregulation and energy metabolism of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan)

In this study, we evaluated the growth, osmoregulation and energy metabolism of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, reared during 6 weeks with different salinities (0, 8, 14 and 22 g/L). The results showed that the haemolymph osmolality of M. nipponense increased with an increase in ambient osmotic pressure; the isosmotic point was 490 mOs/kg H ₂ O. The prawns showed a higher survival rate, weight gain rate and hepatopancreas index in salinity 14 g/L. Digestive enzymes were all affected by salinity, and the highest activities were observed in the salinity 14 g/L. The mRNA expression of Na ⁺ -K ⁺ -ATPase in gills and p53 in hepatopancreas were the highest in salinity 22 g/L. The expressions of heat shock protein 90 and glutathione S-transferase genes in hepatopancreas were significantly higher in the salinity 8 g/L. Lipid metabolism-related genes in hepatopancreas were significantly expressed in the salinity 14 g/L. The glucose-6-phosphatase gene in hepatopancreas was highly expressed in the salinity 8 and 22 g/L, and the expression of the ecdysone receptor gene in hepatopancreas was significantly higher in the salinity 14 g/L. The results showed that salinity 14 g/L could promote the growth of M. nipponense. However, higher salinity conditions may cause physiological damage, which provides a theoretical basis for brackish water culture of M. nipponense.