| Abstract: | This study evaluated the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance and lipid metabolism in zebrafish (Danio rerio) by RNA sequencing. A total of 240 healthy zebrafish were randomly distributed into two groups. The control group was fed a basal diet, and the treatment group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.4% FOS. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance (p > 0.05). The lipid content, total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid and low‐density lipoprotein were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the liver of fish fed the 0.4% FOS diet than those of the fish fed the control diet, while the fish fed the 0.4% FOS diet had significantly higher (p < 0.05) high‐density lipoproteins than those of the control fish. Malic enzyme and fatty acid synthetase activities were significantly reduced by adding FOS. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the two pathways of steroid hormone biosynthesis and steroid biosynthesis were significantly enriched (p < 0.05). The profile of genes in these two pathways was affected by FOS in zebrafish. The results of the two pathways suggested new mechanisms underlying the lipid metabolism mechanism of FOS. |
