The Zebra Fish Digestive System and Immune System

Jessica Pierre

1046963

10/16/15

Reference:

Fuentes-Appelgren Pamela, Opazo Rafael, Barros Luis, Feijoó Carmen G., Urzúa Victoria, and Romero Jaime. Effects of the Dietary Inclusion of Soybean Components on the Innate Immune System in Zebrafish.  Zebrafish. February 2014, 11(1): 41-49. doi:10.1089/zeb.2013.0934.

Abstract

The Zebra fish digestive system and immune system were studied after their original diet which was fish meal was replaced due to the fact that fish meal cost more. The question is whether the consumption of soybean components can cause enteritis in the Zebra fish. This research is important because the more information that is found about enteritis syndrome (inflammation of the intestine) will later on help researchers understand other intestinal diseases and the role of the  the immune system in humans in relevance to the elements in their diet. The methodologies used in this research was that the fish larvae were fed two different diets. One diet of low levels of Sayasaponins (SAP’s) and Soy Bean Meal (SBM) for 5 days then later on for another 5 days the fish were fed high levels of Sayasoponins and Soy Bean Meal. The mean for the granulocytes were 16 in low dosage diet and the mean for the high dosage of Soy bean was 23.  The results showed that when fish were fed a higher dosage of Soy Bean Meal the number of granulocytes increased which relates to the genes that causes intestinal inflammation.  In conclusion according to the results found in the research the SAP and SBM may cause inflammation that can lead to enteritis in the Zebra Fish.