Aquatic animals, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, play a vital role in the ecosystem and are an important source of food for humans. Understanding the nutritional metabolism and immunity of these animals is crucial for their health and survival.

Nutritional metabolism refers to the processes by which aquatic animals obtain, utilize, and store nutrients. These animals require a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Proteins are particularly important for growth, reproduction, and immune function. Carbohydrates and lipids serve as energy sources, while vitamins and minerals are necessary for various physiological functions.

The immune system of aquatic animals is responsible for defending against pathogens and maintaining overall health. It consists of both innate and adaptive immune responses. The innate immune system provides immediate, non-specific defense mechanisms, such as physical barriers (e.g., skin and mucus), phagocytic cells, and antimicrobial peptides. The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, develops specific responses to pathogens through the production of antibodies and memory cells.

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a strong immune system in aquatic animals. Excessive or insufficient nutrition can weaken the immune response of aquatic animals, making them more susceptible to infections and diseases. For example, the use of high-fat diet leads to problems such as abnormal lipid deposition and decreased immunity in fish. A lack of essential amino acids can impair the production of antibodies, while a deficiency in vitamins and minerals can compromise the function of immune cells.

Furthermore, the immune system can also influence the nutritional metabolism of aquatic animals. Inflammatory responses triggered by infections or diseases can alter nutrient utilization and metabolism. For instance, during an infection, the body may prioritize energy allocation towards immune responses, leading to a decrease in growth and reproduction.

In conclusion, the nutritional metabolism and immunity of aquatic animals are closely interconnected. A balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements is crucial for maintaining a strong immune system and overall health. Understanding these processes is essential for the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems and the production of healthy seafood for human consumption. In this research topic, we aim to explore the regulatory mechanism between the nutritional metabolism and immunity of aquatic animals.

• The main types of manuscripts of interest include the following：
1. Nutritional physiology of aquatic animals - metabolic mechanism of nutrients in aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, frogs, etc.;
2. Basic research on nutritional metabolism and diseases - the regulatory mechanism of nutrients in the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases;
3. The nutritional metabolism and immunity of aquatic animals - dietary nutrients on protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant capacity and immune responses of aquatic animals;
4. Nutrition and safety evaluation of aquatic products -- including environmental health risk assessment and animal experiments.

• If possible, we would like to obtain topics related to nutrients, amino acids, fatty acids, mineral elements, liver fat metabolism, insulin metabolism, PI3K-AKT pathway.

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Frontiers in Marine Science

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