Brain to Gut Integrative 3R Experimental Models for the Evaluation of Feeds in the Aquaculture Industry (Brain2Gut)

The development of novel and more sustainable feed ingredients is one of the biggest challenge in the aquaculture industry. This is also reflected in the research environment, where large resources are used annually to carry out experiments that investigate this. In addition to being both time- and financially very expensive, these experiments require the sacrifice of large numbers of fish, which is ethically problematic. Through the validation of various steps that include the combination of organ explants, in vitro methods and cell lines that can be prepared from just a few fish, this project aims to contribute to reducing the number of fish needed to test new feed ingredients.

Objective: Development of models and methodology (3R) in fish health and welfare to reduce the use of experimental fish in the aquaculture industry.

Subgoal 1: Mapping of 3R methods using brain and gut physiology applicable to Atlantic salmon.

Subgoal 2: Establish salmonid brain as ex vivo model for measuring palatability and feeding.

Subgoal 3: Development of in vitro approaches to eliminate the need for fish in digestibility trials.

Subgoal 4: Development of ex vivo gut models and validation of available cell lines for use in Atlantic salmon.

The project will benefit feed producers, breeders and researchers in this field. The Brain2Gut project will result in the development and validation of several ex vivo and in vitro models for testing feed ingredients in the diet of farmed salmon. This will lead to a reduction in the number of fish that need to be sacrificed in testing new feed ingredients, which has an impact on the welfare of the animals. These models will also make it possible to accelerate the testing process and reduce the costs associated with such experiments, which will benefit the aquaculture industry.