MECHANISM OF ARACHIDONIC ACID ENHANCING HYPOXIA TOLERANCE IN LARGEMOUTH BASS (<italic>MICROPTERUS SALMOIDES</italic>)

The intensification of aquaculture and climate change have amplified hypoxic stress in aquatic environments, while arachidonic acid (AA) may have the potential to alleviate hypoxic stress. This study investigated the role of AA metabolism in hypoxia adaptation, focusing on hepatic angiogenesis and antioxidant responses in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Hypoxic stress significantly impaired hepatic antioxidant capacity, evidenced by reduced total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, alongside elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (PPvegfa, mmp2, jagged, and notch1 expression (PPPvegfa, vegfr2, mmp2, jagged, and notch1 (P2 (PGE2) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which synergistically activated angiogenic pathways (P2 and EETs to activate angiogenesis pathways, forming a unique adaptive strategy against hypoxic stress. These findings establish a novel link between AA metabolism and angiogenesis in fish hypoxia adaptation, providing a scientific foundation for dietary interventions to mitigate hypoxic challenges in aquaculture.