A Morphological and Ultrastructural Study of the Anterior Digestive Tract of Adult Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Simple Summary Aquaculture is currently one of the fastest growing food-producing systems due to its relevance as source of livelihood worldwide. As fishes live in very diversified environmental conditions and this diversification also impacts their diet, it is not surprising that a considerable variability exists in the organization of the digestive tract. Nile tilapia is among the most-used fish species in aquaculture due to its growth and ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions. The aim of this work is an integrated description of esophagus and stomach morphology. We identified five distinct zones of the stomach via light and scanning microscopy. Histochemical investigation showed the presence of carboxylated and sulphated mucins along the esophagus and stomach capable of attracting a great amount of water and enhancing the protective function of the mucosa mucous gel, especially in the highly acidic stomach environment that digests algae and detrital bacteria. Therefore, our study provides new insights concerning the morphological structure of the anterior digestive tract of Nile tilapia, relevant to better understand the several aspects related to physiological growth and the health status of this species, while at the same time comparing different or pathological conditions. Among the most-used fish species in aquaculture is the Nile tilapia, due to its rapid growth rate and its adaptation to a wide range of farming conditions. A careful description of the morphology of the digestive tract, particularly the esophagus and stomach, allows a better understanding of the relationship between structure and function. Combining scanning and light microscopy we highlighted the presence of five different zones in the stomach (1: esophagus-gastric lumen passage; 2: descending glandular portion; 3: fundic portion; 4: ascending glandular portion; 5: gastric-pyloric transition portion). Histochemical investigation showed a secretion of carboxylates mucopolysaccharides along the esophagus and sulphated complex carbohydrates in the stomach. These results suggest that mucins play a protective role of the epithelial lining, which is essential for a correct digestive process. Finally, the characterization of the main cellular structures may be inspiring for more advanced studies aiming to decipher the role of specific molecules, such as neuropeptides, involved in the physiological digestive process.