Photoperiod induces alterations in redox homeostasis, immune response, and responses to light stimulation in the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is a crustacean species of considerable economic and ecological significance. This necessitates an in-depth investigation of the mechanisms by which environmental factors, such as photoperiod, influence the survival and development of these species. This study systematically examined the specific mechanisms by which environmental photoperiod affects this species through a 56-day aquaculture experiment and hepatopancreas transcriptome analysis. The study revealed that red swamp crayfish exhibited optimal growth under an 8-h light to 16-h dark photoperiod. Moreover, RNA-seq (Ribonucleic Acid sequencing) analysis of the hepatopancreas subjected to five distinct photoperiod treatments identified 130 differentially expressed genes with specific functions. Notably, a significant number of genes involved in oxidation-reduction processes (CYP49A1 and ADH), responses to light stimuli (GPX2 and PCNA), and pathways related to immune system processes, oxidoreductase activity, and glutathione metabolism were identified. The results of this study indicate that photoperiod can significantly affect the physiology of red swamp crayfish by disrupting redox homeostasis, altering cellular responses to light stimuli, and impairing immune functions and responses. Moreover, the reliability of these gene variation results was corroborated by RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction). These results provide important parameters for designing industrial aquaculture systems for this species.