Dietary supplementation with Bacillus can improve the growth and survival of the kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus in high-temperature environments

This study examined the effects of a commercial Bacillus complex used as probiotics on the performance of Marsupenaeus japonicus under high water temperature after 60 days of rearing. Growth and survival rate of M. japonicus were significantly increased in the probiotics-treated group (P < 0.05). Vibrio count and percentage of Vibrio in the intestinal tracts of M. japonicus reared with Bacillus were significantly lower than in other treatments (P < 0.05). The expressions of immune-related gene including prophenoloxidase, lysozyme, cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase and hemocyanin subunit L in M. japonicus were significantly increased in the Bacillus-treated group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that Bacillus can be used as a diet supplement to minimize the damages caused by free radicals generated from insufficient oxygen metabolism due to the high-temperature stress, and to enhance immunity and activate the immune response levels. Our findings can improve the growth and survival rates of M. japonicus during the high-temperature farming period.