Figure 2.

FO upregulates the expression of growth-promoting genes. Zebrafish larvae (n = 30) at 3 days post fertilization (dpf) were treated with the indicated concentrations of FO (0–100 µg/mL). β-glycerophosphate (GP) at 4 mM was used as a positive control. (A,B) Total mRNA was extracted at 9 (A) and 12 (B) dpf, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (zigf-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (zigfbp-3), growth hormone 1 (zgh-1), growth hormone receptor 1 (zghr-1), growth hormone receptor alpha (zghra), glucokinase (zgck), and cholecystokinin (zccka). β-actin was used as an internal control. The relative density was calculated using ImageJ software. Significant differences among the groups were determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction. All data are presented as mean ± SEM (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 vs. untreated zebrafish larvae). FO, fermented oyster (C. gigas) extract; UT, untreated.