Effect of dietary leucine on growth performance,hemolymph and hepatopancreas enzyme activities of swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary leucine requirement for juvenile swimming crabs reared in cement pools. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets (430 g/kg crude protein and 70 g/kg crude lipid) were formulated to contain graded leucine levels which ranged from 16.7 to 26.7 g/kg (dry weight). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 juvenile swimming crabs (initial average weight 3.75 ± 0.12 g) that were stocked in rectangle plastic baskets. The results of the present study indicated that dietary leucine levels significantly influenced weight gain (WG) and specific growth ratio (SGR) (p < .05), crab fed the diet containing 22.7 g/kg leucine had significantly higher WG and SGR than those fed the other diets. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly affected by the dietary leucine levels (p > .05). Total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose in serum were significantly affected by the dietary leucine levels. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase activities in hemolymph, AST and superoxide dismutase activities in hepatopancreas were significantly affected by dietary leucine levels; moreover, crab fed the 16.7 g/kg leucine diet had higher malondialdehyde in hemolymph and hepatopancreas than those fed the other diets. Crab fed the diet containing 24.9 g/kg leucine had higher phenoloxidase activity in hemolymph than those fed the other diets. Based on two‐slope broken‐line model of SGR against dietary leucine levels, the optimal dietary leucine requirement for growth was estimated to be 22.1 g/kg of the dry diet (corresponding to 51.4 g/kg of dietary protein on a dry weight basis). In summary, findings of this study indicated that dietary leucine could improve growth performance and antioxidant status.     

Hypoxia‐induced changes in survival,immune response and antioxidant status of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed with graded levels of dietary myo‐inositol

A 3‐hr experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary myo‐inositol (MI) supplementation on survival, immune response and antioxidant abilities in Litopenaeus vannamei under acute hypoxia stress. Six practical diets were formulated with supplementation of graded levels (control group 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg dry diet) of MI and were randomly assigned to triplicate groups of L. vannamei (mean weight 0.40 ± 0.00 g) for 8 weeks. Ten healthy shrimp (final mean weight approximately 11–14 g) randomly selected from each tank were exposed to hypoxia stress after feeding trial. After 3‐hr acute hypoxia stress, survival of shrimp fed MI‐supplemented diets (except 0.1 and 0.4 g/kg diets) was significantly increased compared with the control group. Shrimp fed control diet had lower activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) contents in hepatopancreas than those fed the MI‐supplemented diets. In addition, mRNA expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), catalase (CAT) and penaeidin were significantly differentially regulated in hepatopancreas. In summary, dietary MI supplementation may have a positive effect on improving resistance to acute hypoxia stress of L. vannamei.     

Growth performance,haematological parameters,antioxidant status and salinity stress tolerance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed different levels of dietary myo‐inositol

A 10‐week growth trial was run to evaluate effects of myo‐inositol (MI) on growth performance, haematological parameters, antioxidative capacity and salinity stress tolerance of Litopenaeus vannamei. Six practical diets supplemented with graded levels of MI (designated as MI0, MI600, MI1200, MI2400, MI 3600 and MI4800 for 448.8, 974.2, 1568.0, 2810.6, 3835.5 and 4893.6 mg/kg diet, respectively) were fed to six replicate groups of L. vannamei (mean initial body weight 0.63 ± 0.00 g). The results showed that significant increment of growth performance was observed in shrimp fed MI600 diet than those fed MI1200 diet. Lipid concentration in whole body of the shrimp fed MI600 diet was significantly increased. Shrimp fed MI0 diet had lower total protein (TP) as compared to shrimp fed the MI‐supplemented diets (except MI4800 diet). In general, lower activities of antioxidant enzymes and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content in haemolymph and hepatopancreas were recorded in shrimp fed MI0 diet, compared to those fed the MI‐supplemented diets. Reduced survival after 7‐h salinity stress was present in shrimp fed MI0 diet as compared to those fed MI4800 diet. Dietary MI requirement for glutathione peroxidase activity of L. vannamei was 2705 mg/kg diet.     

Nano zinc vis‐à‐vis inorganic Zinc as feed additives: Effects on growth,activity of hepatic enzymes and non‐specific immunity in rohu,Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

The effects of dietary administration of inorganic zinc (zinc sulphate, ZnSO₄) and nano zinc (zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO‐NP) were evaluated in rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. Fish were fed with a basal diet (Control) supplemented with ZnSO₄ (T1, T2 and T3) and ZnO‐NP (T4, T5 and T6) at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively, for a duration of 45 days. The results revealed that fish fed diet containing 20 mg ZnO‐NP per kg (T5) had the highest weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR, % per day), which was significantly different (p < .05) from the other experimental diets. Significantly (p < .05), higher activities of the digestive and metabolic enzymes were recorded in the fish fed ZnO‐NP containing diets as compared to the diets containing inorganic Zn or control diet. The maximum serum glucose and protein levels were noted in fish reared on diet T5. Both SGOT and SGPT activities were significantly increased in fish fed Zn‐supplemented diets (T1 to T6), as compared to the control group. Similarly, innate immune parameters were improved with feeding Zn incorporated diets. The highest phagocytic (40.74 ± 0.65%) and respiratory burst (0.33 ± 0.001, OD 630nm) activities were recorded in the fish fed diet containing ZnO‐NPs at 20 mg/kg (T5). The maximum superoxide production and serum peroxidase activity were detected in the fish fed T5 and T6 diets. Overall, results indicated that short‐duration feeding (≤45 days) of dietary ZnO‐NP (20 mg/kg) improved growth, enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters and immune function in rohu fingerlings.     

Effects of dietary soy isoflavones on growth,antioxidant status,immune response and resistance of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary soy isoflavones (SI) on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Six diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 10, 50, 100, 500 or 1,000 mg SI per kg feed. Each diet was randomly allotted to triplicate net cages, and each net cage was stocked with 30 fish. The fish were fed one of the experimental diets to satiation twice per day for 60 days. The results showed that the WGR and DGC of the 500 mg/kg SI‐supplemented group were significantly higher than those of the non‐SI‐supplemented group (p < .05). Serum LZM and IgM activities in the SI‐supplemented groups were improved compared to the control group. SOD and GSH‐Px levels of fish fed the diet containing 500 mg/kg SI were significantly enhanced compared to those of fish fed the control diet (p < .05). Additionally, serum CAT, GSH‐Px and AKP activities in 50, 100 and 500 mg/kg SI‐supplemented groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (p < .05). The expression of most immune‐related genes (including IFN‐γ2, TNF‐α, M‐CSF2, IL‐6, IL‐12p40 and IL‐4) was significantly affected by dietary supplementation of SI. The group fed with 500 mg/kg SI had the highest 7‐day cumulative survival rate after challenge test (p < .05). The current results revealed that dietary inclusion of SI could improve the immune response and resistance against A. hydrophila and the supplementation level is suggested to be 500 mg/kg diet.     

Dietary myo‐inositol requirements of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂)

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dietary myo‐inositol (MI) requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂). Fish with an initial average body weight of 28.28 ± 0.41 g were randomly divided into six groups with three repetitions in each group and fed the experimental diets with different graded MI concentrations (70.2, 130.0, 270.2, 443.0, 1,096.6 and 1997.3 mg/kg) three times per day for 12 weeks. The results showed that with the increase in dietary MI level from 70.2 mg/kg to 443.0 mg/kg, weight gain (WG) was increased significantly (p < .05); however, when the MI level was further increased, there was no significant difference in weight gain rate (WG) over time (p > .05). Specific growth rate (SGR) showed a similar trend. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (SR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerasomatic index (VSI) and condition factor (CF) were not affected by dietary MI supplementation (p > .05). Dietary MI did not affect whole‐body and muscle crude protein and ash content (p > .05), while dietary MI significantly affected the muscle and whole‐body crude lipid and moisture content (p < .05). Moreover, serum triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were decreased by increasing dietary MI levels. Total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the liver were also affected by the dietary MI (p < .05). In summary, this study indicated that the optimal dietary MI requirement for juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂) was 335.84 mg/kg and 590.65 mg/kg based on the maximum WG and liver MI accumulation indices respectively.     

Fishmeal levels can be successfully reduced in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) if supplemented with DL‐Methionine (DL‐Met) or DL‐Methionyl‐DL‐Methionine (Met‐Met)

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of methionine supplementation when reducing fishmeal levels in diets for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Tested diets consisted of a positive control with 260 g/kg fishmeal (D1), two negative controls with 100 g/kg fishmeal and no amino acid (AA) supplementation (D2) or supplemented with lysine but not methionine (D3), and four additional diets with 100g/kg fishmeal supplemented with increasing levels of DL‐Met (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 g/kg) (D4, D5, D6) or Met‐Met (1.0 g/kg) (D7). Each diet was fed to four groups of 30 shrimp for 8 weeks at a daily rate of 70 g/kg body weight. Reduction in fishmeal from 260 g/kg down to 100 g/kg did not significantly affect survival rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) or protein retention efficiency (PR%) of white shrimp. However, growth performance (final body weight, FBW; weight gain, WG; specific growth rate, SGR) was reduced when dietary fishmeal level was reduced from 260 g/kg (D1) to 100 g/kg without methionine supplementation (D2). The growth performance (FBW, WG and SGR) of shrimp was significantly increased by supplementation of the 100 g/kg fishmeal diet with increasing levels of DL‐Met (p < .05). Same performance as positive control (D1) was achieved with diets containing 100 g/kg fishmeal and supplemented with 3.0 g/kg DL‐Met or 1.0 g/kg Met‐Met. The highest values of growth performance (FBW, WG and SGR) were found in shrimp fed D6 and D7 diets, which were significantly higher than those of shrimp fed D2 and D3 diets (p < .05) but without statistical differences with shrimp fed D1, D4 and D5 diets (p > .05). The highest values of whole‐body and muscle protein contents were found in shrimp fed D1 diet, which were significantly higher than those of shrimp fed all other diets (p < .05). The highest value of intestinal tract proteolytic enzyme activity was found in shrimp fed Met‐Met‐supplemented diet (D7) and followed by the positive control diet (D1) and 3 g/kg DL‐Met‐supplemented diet (D6) (p < .05). The highest values of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and crude protein were found in Met‐Met‐supplemented diet (D7) and followed by the positive control diet (D1) (p < .05). Shrimp fed the D1 diet showed the highest value of total essential amino acid (EAA) and was significantly higher than shrimp fed D2–D3 (p < .05) but without significant difference with shrimp fed D4–D7 (p > .05). In conclusion, results showed that same performance can be achieved with diets containing 260 or 100 g/kg fishmeal supplemented with 3.0 g/kg DL‐Met or 1.0 g/kg Met‐Met. Moreover, supplementation of limiting methionine in low‐fishmeal diets seems to improve the digestive proteolytic activity, improving digestibility of dry matter and protein, and eventually to promote growth of juvenile white shrimp in fishmeal reduction diets.     

Dietary vitamin E requirement of sub‐adult genetically improved farmed tilapia strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in freshwater

A two‐factor orthogonal test was conducted to determine the dietary vitamin E (VE, dl ‐α‐tocopheryl acetate) requirement for sub‐adult GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at two lipid levels, and evaluate its effect on antioxidant responses. A basal diet containing 60 or 130 g/kg of soybean oil was supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, 120 and 240 mg VE/kg, respectively. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of tilapia with initial weight (80.3 ± 0.7) g for 10 weeks. Results showed that the weight gain, feed efficiency and hepatic VE retention of fish were significantly increased by the increased VE in diets. In groups with 60 and 130 g/kg lipid, fish fed diets supplemented with VE had higher serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity, and lower malondialdehyde content than fish fed the VE un‐supplemented diet (p < .05). The proximate composition of fish had no significant difference in the group with 130 g/kg lipid, whereas crude lipid and ash content were significantly affected by dietary VE in the group with 60 g/kg lipid. Based on broken‐line regression analysis, dietary VE requirement to support the maximum weight gain and serum SOD were 43.2–45.8 and 66.0–76.1 mg/kg in diets with 60 and 130 g/kg lipid, respectively.     

Effects of antimicrobial peptide APSH‐07 on the growth performance,anti‐oxidation responses,stress resistance and intestine microbiota in large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea

A 65‐day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary antimicrobial peptide APSH‐07 on the growth performance, anti‐oxidation responses, stress resistance and intestine microbiota of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with 0, 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg of APSH‐07, respectively. The results showed that the fish fed with 90 mg/kg of dietary APSH‐07 had the significantly highest specific growth rate (p < .05). The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, the total anti‐oxidative capacity and lysozyme had the significantly highest values in liver of fish fed with 90 mg/kg of dietary APSH‐07 (p < .05). Serum glucose increased significantly in fish fed diets without APSH‐07 supplementation after temperature stress, while serum cortisol increased significantly in those after trawl stress (p < .05). Fish fed with 90 mg/kg of dietary APSH‐07 showed significantly higher operational taxonomic units, ACE estimator and phylogenetic diversity whole tree in intestine microbiota compared to fish fed without APSH‐07 (p < .05). In conclusion, under the present experimental condition, 90 mg/kg of antimicrobial peptide APSH‐07 supplementation in diet had the better growth performance, higher anti‐oxidation and stress resistance capacity, and a potentially more beneficial intestine microbial community of large yellow croaker.     

Effect of dietary lipid source and vitamin E on growth,non‐specific immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Six purified diets were formulated to contain three lipid sources, fish oil (FO), linseed oil (LO) and soybean oil (SO), at 6% diet lipid crossing two levels of vitamin E (100 and 300 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg diet) for each lipid source (FO100, FO300, LO100, LO300, SO100, SO300). The juvenile Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, respectively, fed on these diets with four replicates for 6 weeks. The crab weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly affected by dietary lipid sources. No difference was found between the crabs fed two levels of vitamin E, but the WG and SGR were numerically higher in crab fed 300 mg/kg vitamin E than those fed the other level of vitamin E. The lipid source and vitamin E level could affect fatty acid composition in the hepatopancreas. The contents of saturated fatty acids (SAFA) and n‐3HUFA were significantly higher in the crab‐fed fish oil. The highest contents of n‐6PUFA and n‐3PUFA were found in the crab‐fed soybean oil and linseed oil respectively. The contents of SAFA, n‐3HUFA and n‐3PUFA were higher in the 300 mg/kg vitamin E treatment. A lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and higher phenoloxidase (PO) activity were observed in the crab fed 300 mg/kg vitamin E. The results of this study indicate that the Chinese mitten crab fed the diet with 6% fish oil and 300 mg/kg vitamin E showed better growth, antioxidant capacity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila.     

Effects of dietary fish oil substitution with blending vegetable oils on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activities and tissue fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacement of fish oil (FO) with blending vegetable oils (VOs) on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities and fatty acid composition in tissue of swimming crab Portunustrituberculatus. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain VOs (colza oil: palm oil: linseed oil = 4:2:1) to replace 0 (the control diet), 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/kg of FO (defined D0, D25, D50, D75, D100). Three hundred juvenile swimming crabs (initial weight 2.34 ± 0.08 g) were randomly stocked and sorted into 300 individual rectangle plastic baskets in three cement pools. Each treatment has three replicates, one replicate has 20 swimming crabs, and each diet fed 60 crabs distributed in 60 baskets. The results indicated that crabs fed the control diet showed significantly higher survival, final body weight, per cent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate and moulting frequency, crude protein and crude lipid contents in muscles than those fed the D75 and D100 VO diets (p < .05). Crabs fed the D25 VO diet showed significantly higher concentration of triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and total protein, activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in haemolymph than those fed the control diet (p < .05). Fatty acid composition in hepatopancreas was positively correlated with dietary composition. In summary, based on the PWG, the optimal replacement of FO with VOs was estimated to be 250 g/kg. These findings demonstrated that swimming crabs make better use of FO than VOs.     

Dietary copper requirement of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis for formulating copper‐balanced commercial feeds

Dietary copper requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis (6.74 ± 0.03 g) was determined by feeding purified diets containing same protein (400 g/kg) and gross energy (17.89 kJ/g) but different levels of copper for 12 weeks. Graded amount of CuSO₄.5H₂O (0, 1.96, 3.93, 5.89, 7.86, 9.82, 11.79 mg/kg) was supplemented to basal diet to attain desired dietary copper levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/kg). Analysed dietary copper concentrations were 4.28, 4.63, 5.28, 5.70, 6.19 and 6.69 mg/kg. Absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein gain improved with the increasing levels of dietary copper up to 5.28 mg/kg. Further inclusion of copper at a level of 5.70 mg/kg did not improve the above parameters. Significantly higher (p < .05) plasma ceruloplasmin, liver copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were evident in fish receiving diets with 5.28 and 5.70 mg/kg copper compared to other groups. Whole body and liver copper concentrations increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing dietary copper levels. Quadratic regression analysis of absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein gain and broken‐line regression analysis of plasma ceruloplasmin activity and liver TBARS value against the variable dietary copper levels depicted the dietary copper requirements for fingerling H. fossilis in the range of 5.24–5.68 mg/kg.     

Effects of dietary chlorogenic acid on growth,flesh quality and serum biochemical indices of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The study was to investigate effects of dietary chlorogenic acid (CGA) on growth performance, flesh quality and serum biochemical indices of grass carp (95.1 ± 0.3 g) (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed seven different diets, including control diet, Eucommia ulmoides (EU)‐supplemented diet (20 g kg^–1) and CGA‐supplemented diets containing 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg CGA. Contents of collagen and alkaline‐insoluble collagen in muscle and skin were significantly increased by dietary CGA and EU (p < .05). Total essential amino acids (TEAA) and total amino acids (TAA) in muscle of grass carp fed EU diet or 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg CGA diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed control diet and 100 and 200 mg/kg CGA diet (p < .05). Fish fed 200–800 mg/kg CGA showed significantly lower muscle crude lipid content than EU, control and 100 mg/kg CGA groups (p < .05). Fish fed CGA‐supplemented diets (100–800 mg/kg) had significantly higher muscle fibre density and lower muscle fibre diameter than control group (p < .05). In conclusion, supplementation of CGA improved flesh quality of grass carp, and supplemental level of CGA for improving flesh quality and growth was estimated to be 400 mg/kg diet.     

Effects of dietary coated protease on growth performance,feed utilization,nutrient apparent digestibility,intestinal and hepatopancreas structure in juvenile Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary protease on growth performance, feed utilization, whole‐body proximate composition, nutrient digestibility, intestinal and hepatopancreas structure of juvenile Gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio (mean weight 8.08 ± 0.18 g). Six diets were prepared, including a positive control diet (dietary protein 350 g/kg, PC), one negative control diet (dietary protein 33 g/kg, NC) and four protease supplementations diets, which were 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg protease NC diet. After 12 weeks of diet feeding in indoor recycle aquarium tanks, no significant difference (p > .05) was found on growth performance between fish fed diet with 75–600 mg/kg protease and the PC group. Compared with the fish fed the NC diet, the specific growth rate of fish fed 300 mg/kg protease increased significantly (p < .05), as well as protein efficiency ratios (p < .05), while feed conversion was the opposite (p < .05). The nutrient digestibility of crude protein and lipid was higher (p < .05) in fish fed 150 mg/kg protease diet than the PC diet. Whole‐body proximate composition of fish was not affected (p > .05) by the dietary treatment. Serum alkaline phosphatase and albumin were significantly affected by dietary protease (p < .05), while the content of total protein, glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in serum was not affected (p > .05). Foregut muscular thickness was thinner (p < .05), when the fish fed diets supplementation of protease in 150 or 600 mg/kg diet than the NC diet. Protease activities in hepatopancreas and foregut were higher (p < .05), in the fish fed 150 or 300 mg/kg protease diet than the fish fed the PC diet, but those in the mid‐ and hindgut were not significantly affected (p > .05) by the dietary treatments. Based on the regression analysis of weight gain rate, the optimal dietary inclusion level of protease was 400 mg/kg in the diet for juvenile Carassius auratus gibelio.     

Replacement of fish oil with a DHA‐rich Schizochytrium meal on growth performance,activities of digestive enzyme and fatty acid profile of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary fish oil with Schizochytrium meal for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae (initial body weight 4.21 ± 0.10 mg). Six test microdiets were formulated using Schizochytrium meal to replace 0 g/kg, 250 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 750 g/kg, 1000 g/kg or 1500 g/kg fish oil DHA. No significant differences were observed in survival, growth, final body length and activities of digestive enzyme among shrimp fed different diets (p > .05). No significant differences were observed in C20:5n‐3 (EPA) in muscle samples (p > .05). C18:3n‐3 and C20:4n‐6 in muscle increased as Schizochytrium meal replacement level increased (p < .05). No significant differences were observed in C22:6n‐3 (DHA) and n‐3 fatty acids among shrimp fed diets that algae meal replaced 0 g/kg ‐ 1000 g/kg of fish oil. Shrimp fed diet R150 had higher DHA content than other groups and had higher n‐3 fatty acids than that of shrimp fed diets R50, R75 and R100 (p < .05). C18:2n‐6, PUFA and n‐6 fatty acids in muscle increased, while n‐3/n‐6 ratio decreased with increasing algae meal replacement level from 0 g/kg to 1000 g/kg (p < .05). In conclusion, Schizochytrium meal could replace 1500 g/kg fish oil DHA in the microdiets without negatively affecting shrimp larvae survival, growth and activities of digestive enzyme.     

Effect of combination of dietary Bacillus subtilis and trans‐cinnamic acid on innate immune responses and resistance of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss to Yersinia ruckeri

The present study investigated the effects of combination of dietary Bacillus subtilis and trans‐cinnamic acid on serum biochemical parameters, innate immune responses and resistance of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss to Yersinia ruckeri. Six experimental groups of fish with mean weights of 20.58 ± 0.35 g were used in the study. Five experimental groups of fish were fed diets containing Bacillus subtilis (10⁷ per gram) or a mix of the Bacillus subtilis (BS) and trans‐cinnamic acid (25 mg/kg‐25trcBS, 50 mg/kg‐50trcBS, 75 mg/kg‐75 trcBS, 150 mg/kg‐150 trcBS), whereas an additive‐free basal diet served as the control (Cont). In this study, an increase was observed in granulocyte percentage, respiratory burst activity, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, myeloperoxidase activity and total antiprotease activity especially in fish fed with mix of the BS and trans‐cinnamic acid‐supplemented diets (p < .05). Moreover, at the end of the 20‐day challenge period the survival rates and antibody titre (p < .05), and relative per cent survival were higher in the BS group and all trcBS groups compared with control group. As a conclusion, the results in the present study show that feeding rainbow trout with diets containing a mix of B. subtilis and trans‐cinnamic acid over a 60‐day period might be sufficient for improving fish immune responses and disease resistance against Y. ruckeri.     

Evaluation of some haemolymph biochemical properties and F‐cell prevalence in hepatopancreas of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vanammei) after fed diets containing apple cider vinegar and propionic acid

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary ACV (apple cider vinegar) and PA (propionic acid) supplementation on some biochemical properties of haemolymph and fibrillar cell (F‐cell) number in the hepatopancreas of shrimp. Five different diets supplemented with 0%, 1%, 2%, 4% ACV and 0.5% PA diets were fed to Litopenaeus vanammei. Some biochemical parameters of haemolymph (cortisol, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, urea, uric acid, creatinine, phosphorus, total hemocyte count) and prevalence of F‐cell in hepatopancreas were examined after 60 days feeding trial. The albumin concentration and total hemocyte count in 2% and 4% ACV and PA groups were significantly higher than those of other groups (p < .05). Moreover, the highest phosphorus concentration was detected in shrimp fed 4% ACV and PA experimental diets (p < .05). No significant differences in haemolymph cortisol, urea, uric acid, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and tubule area were observed among the experimental groups (p > .05). 2% ACV group showed more F‐cell number in hepatopancreas than other groups while the reduction in F‐cell number was observed in the PA group. Based on these observations, the tested ACV and PA diets remarkably exhibited positive impacts on nutritional value and they may be a potential for adding to shrimp diet.     

Dietary calcium requirement of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkia)

To investigate dietary calcium requirement of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkia), six semi‐purified diets were formulated to contain different concentrations of calcium (2.7(control group), 6.1, 11.9, 17.6, 23.5 and 29.1 g/kg calcium). Each diet was hand‐fed to triplicate of 15 crayfish with average initial body weight (6.22 ± 0.87) g for 8 weeks. The results showed that weight gain rate (WGR) significantly increased and feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly decreased from 11.9 to 23.5 g/kg groups (p < .05). Protease activities in intestine and hepatopancreas and parathyroid hormone concentrations in serum significantly decreased with increasing dietary calcium levels (p < .05), while calcium and phosphorus contents in exoskeleton, calcium content in muscle and calcitonin concentrations in serum significantly increased (p < .05). The activities of lipase and amylase in intestine and hepatopancreas, serum alkaline phosphatase and total vitamin D concentrations in serum had significant increase as dietary calcium content increased up to 11.9–17.6 g/kg (p < .05). The inorganic phosphorus content in 29.1 g/kg group was significantly lower than those in other groups (p < .05). Broken‐line model analysis based on WGR and quadratic curve model analysis based on FCR showed that optimal dietary calcium requirement of red swamp crayfish ranged from 12.7 to 17.1 g/kg.     

Effects of dietary L‐lysine supplementation on growth,body composition and muscle‐growth‐related gene expression with an estimation of lysine requirement of GIFT tilapia

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted with extruded practical diets containing 320 g/kg of crude protein from plant‐based sources to determine the effects of L‐lysine on growth performances, muscle‐growth‐related gene (myoD, myogenine and myostatin) expression and haemato‐biochemical responses in juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of lysine (14.3, 16, 17.5, 19 and 20.5 g/kg of diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 juvenile fish (5.2 ± 0.1 g), which were fed thrice a day (9:00, 13:00 and 17:00 hr). Maximum growth performances were observed in fish fed with lysine at 19 g/kg of diet. There was no significant (p > .05) effect on whole‐body composition and amino acids profile by dietary lysine supplementation. Significant (p < .05) changes were observed in relative expression of muscle‐growth‐related genes namely myoD and myogenine and in plasma metabolites by dietary lysine supplementation. In contrast, the relative expression of myostatin was not affected by dietary lysine supplementation. Broken‐line regression analysis and second‐order polynomial regression analysis of weight gain and N gain against dietary lysine levels showed that the dietary lysine requirement for juvenile GIFT tilapia was 18–18.3 g/kg of diet and 19.3–19.5 g/kg of diet, respectively.