Amino Acids as Dietary Additives for Enhancing Fish Welfare in Aquaculture

Abstract

The interest in fish welfare within aquaculture facilities has significantly increased over the past decade, recognizing the fundamental role of animal welfare in the quality of aquaculture products. It has been shown that stress in fish can affect their health, causing pathologies and immune failures, while stress-free fish grow faster and healthier. This has prompted aquaculture farmers to adopt strategies that reduce stress, improve water quality, and optimize stocking densities, thereby enhancing fish welfare. A key area is the role of amino acids in improving fish welfare. Amino acids, such as histidine, isoleucine, leucine, and tryptophan, are essential for various physiological processes, including neurotransmitter formation, energy metabolism, and immune function. Amino acids like tryptophan, arginine, and methionine play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of stress, improving immune function, and reducing oxidative stress. In the present review, the main roles of those amino acids related to fish stress have been shown, analyzing the physiological pathways involved in the link between amino acid ingestion and metabolization and stress responses.