Background:Aquaculture has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in global food production, playing a vital role in meeting the increasing demand for high-quality protein. However, feed costs remain the largest expense in fish farming, prompting the search for feeding strategies that maximize growth while reducing production costs. One promising approach is the application of short-term feed restriction followed by refeeding, known as compensatory growth, which can enhance feed efficiency and overall productivity. Despite the growing interest in this strategy, limited research has explored its molecular basis in commercially important species such as Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer). Understanding how short-term fasting and subsequent refeeding affect the expression of growth-related, immune, and antioxidant genes in the liver can provide valuable insights for sustainable aquaculture practices. This study addresses this knowledge gap by evaluating the gene expression responses of L. calcarifer to controlled feeding regimes, aiming to optimize both biological performance and economic efficiency in aquaculture operations.
Aim: The primary objective of this research is to investigate the effects of fasting and refeeding on the expression levels of key genes involved in growth, immune response, and antioxidant defense in [species name, e.g., Oreochromis niloticus]. Specifically, this study aims to:
• Evaluate the temporal changes in the expression of IGF-1, Lysozyme, IL-8, IL-10, and SOD genes in the liver tissue during periods of starvation and subsequent refeeding.
• Understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological adaptation to nutritional stress in fish.
• Compare gene expression patterns between control and fasting groups to elucidate the impact of nutritional deprivation and recovery on immune function and oxidative stress regulation.
This investigation will contribute to a better understanding of how metabolic and immune pathways respond to di