Alterations of the Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics Associated with the Different Growth Performances of Macrobrachium rosenbergii Families

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study used 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic methods to investigate the key gut microbiota and metabolites associated with the growth performance of Macrobrachium rosenbergii families. We found that some critical intestinal bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Blautia, and the metabolites related to metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids may play critical roles in the growth of prawns. This study contributes to figuring out the landscape of the gut microflora and intestinal metabolites associated with prawn growth performance and provides a basis for future studies on the probiotic feed of prawns. ABSTRACT: To investigate the key gut microbiota and metabolites associated with the growth performance of Macrobrachium rosenbergii families, 16S rRNA sequencing and LC–MS metabolomic methods were used. In this study, 90 M. rosenbergii families were bred to evaluate growth performance. After 92 days of culture, high (H), medium (M), and low (L) experimental groups representing three levels of growth performance, respectively, were collected according to the weight gain and specific growth rate of families. The composition of gut microbiota showed that the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillus, and Blautia were much higher in Group H than those in M and L groups. Meanwhile, compared to the M and L groups, Group H had significantly higher levels of spermidine, adenosine, and creatinine, and lower levels of L-citrulline. Correlation analysis showed that the abundances of Lactobacillus and Blautia were positively correlated with the levels of alpha-ketoglutaric acid and L-arginine. The abundance of Blautia was also positively correlated with the levels of adenosine, taurine, and spermidine. Notably, lots of metabolites related to the metabolism and biosynthesis of arginine, taurine, hypotaurine, and fatty acid were upregulated in Group H. This study contributes to figuring out the landscape of the gut microbiota and metabolites associated with prawn growth performance and provides a basis for selective breeding.