The effects of dietary supplementation with butyrate and polyhydroxybutyrate on the digestive capacity and intestinal morphology of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

This study evaluated dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) on the enzymatic activity, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The treatments were: shrimp fed diet supplemented with 2% butyrate, shrimp fed diet supplemented with 2% PHB, and shrimp fed unsupplemented diet. Shrimp fed with PHB-supplemented diet showed higher values of intestinal protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and amylase. Shrimp fed with butyrate-supplemented diet showed higher intestinal lipase than unsupplemented shrimp. Butyrate increased hepatopancreatic protease, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity and in vitro protein digestibility. Shrimp fed with PHB-supplemented diet and butyrate had higher digestibility of polysaccharides and lipids. Shrimp fed with PHB-supplemented diet presented increase in the length, width, and perimeter of intestinal villi. Animals fed with both diets retained overall integrity of their intestinal mucous membrane. The findings show that dietary supplementation with PHB and butyrate can alter intestinal morphology and could improve the digestive capacity of L. vannamei.