Page 200 - 《水产学报》2025年第10期

张旭，等 水产学报, 2025, 49(10): 109614

Effects of dietary iron sources on muscle development,
nutrient composition, antioxidant status, and iron metabolism in
yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

ZHANG Xu , XU Pengcheng , ZHONG Chongchao , YANG Hong , HAO Zhiwei , LUO Zhi *
Fishery College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Abstract: Iron is an essential micronutrient in aquafeeds, yet the biological impacts of its chemical forms on fish physiology
remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the effects of different dietary iron sources on muscle development,
proximate composition, antioxidant status, and iron metabolism in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, providing scientific
evidence for optimizing iron supplementation in aquafeeds. Juvenile specimens were assigned to five experimental diets:
FeSO 4 , Fe-Gly, FeCl 2 , Fe-CA, and Fe 2 O 3 NPs during a 10-week feeding trial. The results revealed that none of the iron sources
significantly affected muscle moisture or ash content. However, the Fe-Gly and Fe-CA exhibited significantly lower crude lipid
content, while Fe 2 O 3 NPs reduced crude protein content. Compared to the FeSO 4 , Fe 2 O 3 NPs significantly reduced antioxidant
enzyme activities and the GSH/GSSG ratio, accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. This group also showed
downregulation of mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes. Conversely, Fe-Gly demonstrated superior antioxidant capa-
city by enhancing enzymatic activities and gene expression patterns. Additionally, FeCl 2 and Fe-CA exerted varying degrees of
influence on the muscle antioxidant status. Histological analysis demonstrated that muscle fibers in the Fe-Gly and Fe-CA
groups were densely arranged and exhibited superior morphology, whereas those in the Fe 2 O 3 NPs group were loosely
arranged. Gene expression analysis further showed that the Fe-Gly and Fe-CA groups significantly upregulated the mRNA
expression of myf5, mrf4, and mef2d genes, while suppressing the mRNA expression of pax7 and mstn genes. Conversely, the
Fe 2 O 3 NPs group appeared to exacerbate muscle development inhibition by significantly downregulating myod and myog
mRNA expression and upregulating mstn mRNA expression. Iron metabolism analysis indicated Fe-Gly enhanced muscle iron
deposition and upregulated mRNA expression of iron transport genes (dmt1, fpn1, ftl, irp1, tf, and tfr1), whereas Fe 2 O 3 NPs
increased fth mRNA expression while reducing tf and tfr1 transcript levels. In conclusion, Fe-Gly exhibits considerable applica-
tion potential due to its superior antioxidant properties, promotion of muscle development, and efficient iron utilization.
However, the observed adverse effects of Fe 2 O 3 NPs warrant further investigation into nanoparticle safety in aquatic species.
This study provides valuable insights for selecting appropriate iron sources in aquafeed formulations.
Key words: Pelteobagrus fulvidraco; iron sources; proximate composition; muscle development; antioxidant status; iron meta-
bolism

Corresponding author: LUO Zhi. E-mail: luozhi99@mail.hzau.edu.cn
Funding projects: National Natural Science Foundation of China (32220103013)

中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries https://www.china-fishery.cn
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