Examination of the role of neuropeptide F in promoting food intake, digestive functioning, growth performance, and expression of immune-related genes in juvenile giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Neuropeptide F (NPF) regulates feeding, growth, development, and reproduction in insects and crustaceans. In this study, we examined the effects of Macrobrachium rosenbergii NPF (MrNPF) on food intake, digestive functions, growth performance, and immunity in juvenile freshwater prawns ( M. rosenbergii ). Supplementing MrNPF at 5 and 0.5 μg/g of feed significantly stimulated food intake and digestive functions by enhancing food consumption, hepatosomatic index, and feeding behaviors; increasing digestive amylase, protease, and lipase activities; and improving gut histomorphology ( P < 0.05). In addition, both doses of MrNPF-supplemented feed promoted growth performance by increasing mean weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, and daily WG from weeks 6 to 12 compared with the control groups ( P < 0.05). Survival rate was significantly higher in the high-dose MrNPF group than in controls only at week 9 ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, MrNPF supplementation significantly upregulated the expression of muscle growth-related genes, including MrTOR , elF4B , and LIM mRNA. Finally, MrNPF significantly enhanced the expression of immune-related genes. Collectively, our findings suggest that MrNPF is an essential neuropeptide that may serve as a potential regulator of feeding, growth, and immunity in juvenile M. rosenbergii . This knowledge could be used to enhance the aquaculture productivity of this crustacean species. • Supplementing MrNPF stimulated food consumption, hepatosomatic index, and feeding behaviors in juvenile M. rosenbergii . • MrNPF increased digestive amylase, protease, and lipase activities, as well as improved gut histomorphology. • MrNPF-supplemented feed promoted growth performance. • MrNPF-supplemented feed significantly upregulated the expressions of muscle growth- and immune-related genes.