Impact of water temperature on oxidative stress and intestinal microbiota in pearl-spot chromis, Chromis notata (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)

Water temperature is an abiotic factor influencing fish metabolism and physiological responses. As poikilothermic creatures, fish are notable sensitivity to fluctuations in water temperature, which also significantly influences intestinal microbial proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of both low (8 °C) and high (28 °C) water temperatures on oxidative stress and the intestinal microbiota of Chromis notata, a species that has recently migrated northward owing to changes in sea water temperature. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lysozyme activities, as well as changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, specifically SOD and CAT, in C. notata exposed to low and high temperatures, showed an increase compared to the control group (maintained at 18 °C). Moreover, liver H₂O₂ levels exhibited a significant increase over time. Conversely, plasma lysozyme activity significantly decreased in groups subjected to low and high water temperatures compared to the control group. Analyzing changes in the intestinal microbiota, we observed an increase in the proportion of Firmicutes but a decrease in Proteobacteria, which are known for their role in immune enhancement, in C. notata exposed to both low and high water temperatures. We propose that alterations in water temperature impact the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. notata, leading to compromised immune responses and disruption of the biological balance of the intestinal microbiota, potentially affecting the host's survival.