Enhanced resistance of Portunus trituberculatus to Vibrio alginolyticus by selective breeding

We established a line (screened) of Portunus trituberculatus by selectively breeding individuals that survived from challenge with Vibrio alginolyticus, and compared the response of screened and unscreened (control) P. trituberculatus challenged with V. alginolyticus. We measured superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and peroxidase activity and the content of hemocyanin in the plasma and phenoloxidase activity in serum. The cumulative survival rate after 24-h challenge with V. alginolyticus was significantly higher in the screened crabs than in the unscreened crabs (P <0.05). T-SOD and PO activity were significantly lower in the screened stock than in the unscreened stock (P <0.05). POD, CAT, and ACP activity and hemocyanin content were significantly higher in the screened stock than in the unscreened stock. Our results suggest that the screened stock was more resistant to infection. Furthermore, the indices we measured may be used to evaluate the health state of P. trituberculatus.