ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 57 representing a study limitation. Nevertheless, notable results were observed on skin ulcers. 63 days after the challenge, fish fed YCW-supplemented diets showed a 30% decrease in moderate and severe skin lesions, along with a 16% increase in light lesions (p<0.05; Figure 2B). TISSUE INTEGRITY AS WELFARE FOUNDATION Both trials support the hypothesis that YCW supplementation may serve as an effective functional feed ingredient to not only improve performance but also help prevent the propagation of various undesirable microorganisms including amoeba and bacteria. In the first trial, fish demonstrated a better tolerance to infection which was associated with improved growth performance. In the second trial, reduced skin lesion severity corresponded with higher survival rates. These findings contribute to growing understanding of mucosal tissue health as a fundamental component of fish welfare. The consistent pattern of improved tissue integrity across different pathogen challenges suggests that mucosal surfaces serve as reliable indicators of overall physiological status and adaptive capacity. This welfare foundation approach represents a paradigm shift from treating disease symptoms to maintaining the biological barriers that support fish health. The research suggests that nutritional strategies targeting mucosal health for fish welfare can influence how they respond to routine aquaculture challenges. Rather than simply treating disease symptoms, nutritional approaches that support tissue integrity may provide more sustainable solutions for maintaining fish welfare in commercial production systems. The observed improvements in growth rates, feed efficiency, and survival outcomes indicate that investing in nutritional solutions that benefit on mucosal health may provide returns for commercial operations while supporting improved fish welfare standards. About Dr. Camille Houdelet As the Research and Development Project Leader in Aquaculture at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Dr. Camille Houdelet leads the development and evaluation of microbial-based solutions to support fish health and performance, with a strong focus on functional ingredients and host-microbiota interactions. Her work bridges applied research and innovation to deliver science-driven nutritional strategies for sustainable aquaculture.
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