Non-Specific Immunity Associated Gut Microbiome in Aristichthys nobilis under Different Rearing Strategies

To understand the intestinal microbial diversity and community structure of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) under different feeding strategies, 39 fish from three groups (A: 9 fish, natural live food only; B: 15 fish, natural live food + fish formulated feeds; C: 15 fish, natural live food + fish formulated feed + lactic acid bacteria) were obtained for the high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We first examined five non-specific immunity indications of the carp—lysozyme (LZM), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Interestingly, the composition of gut microbiota and related non-specific immune indices were affected by the feeding treatment of the bighead carp. Notably, all enzyme activity indexes were significantly different (p < 0.01) in the spleen and three enzyme activity indexes (LZM, GSH-PX, and SOD) had significant differences in the hepatopancreas (p < 0.001) of the carp from the three groups. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed higher diversity in groups B and C. Compared to group A, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased significantly and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes decreased significantly in groups B and C at the phylum level. Functional analysis revealed the association between non-specific immune indicators and import genera in the hepatopancreas and spleen of bighead carp. This study provides new insights into the gut microbiomes and non-specific immune of bighead carp.