Effects of tributyrin on the growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbiota of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of tributyrin (TB)on the growth performance, intestinal immune and microbiota of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A total of 720 healthy shrimp (0.88 ± 0.02 g) were fed with four different diets supplemented with 0, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg of TB for 42 days. The current results showed that 1500 mg/kg TB dietary have positive impacts on growth performance and digestive enzymes activity, increasing the content of whole-body crude protein and lipid. In addition, TB supplement improved the intestine healthy with two possible mechanisms. 1) TB inhibited biomolecule damages including lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl by improves antioxidant capacity 2) TB inhibited the expression level of TNF-α and IL-16 genes to attenuate inflammatory response by regulating the NF-kB activation of intestine. As for the intestinal microbiota, the microbial diversity and richness decreased and the abundance of potential probiotic (Rhodobacteraceae, Pseudomonas) increased in TB groups. The present results suggested that TB could be used as nutritional supplement to improve intestinal health of shrimp.