Effect of temperature and dietary protein/lipid ratio on growth performance and nutrient utilization of juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

A 74‐day trial was undertaken to evaluate the effects of temperature (16 and 22 °C) and dietary protein/lipid ratio on the performance of juvenile Senegalese sole (mean body weight: 6.4 g). Four experimental diets were formulated to contain two protein levels (550 g kg^?1 and 450 g kg^?1) combined with two lipid levels (80 g kg^?1 and 160 g kg^?1). Growth was higher at 22 °C and within each temperature in fish fed diets 55P8L and 45P16L. Feed efficiency, N retention (% NI) and energy retention (% EI) were higher at 22 and at both temperatures in fish fed diet 55P8L. Temperature affected whole‐body composition, with dry matter, protein, lipid and energy being higher and ash lower in fish kept at higher temperature. Independently of temperature, whole‐body lipid, energy and ash were higher and protein was lower in fish fed the high‐lipid diets. Visceral and hepatosomatic indices were not affected by diet composition but were higher in fish kept at 16 °C. Liver glycogen and lipid contents and activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were not affected by diet or water temperature. Malic enzyme (ME) and glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activities were higher in fish fed the low‐lipid diets. ME activity was higher at lower temperature. In conclusion, increasing water temperature from 16 to 22 °C improves growth and feed efficiency of Senegalese sole juveniles; regardless of water temperature, the diet with 550 g kg^?1 protein and 80 g kg^?1 lipid promoted the best growth and feed efficiency.     

Influences of dietary fatty acid profile on growth, body composition and blood chemistry in juvenile fat cod (Hexagrammos otakii Jordan et Starks)

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary lipid source and n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 HUFA) level on growth, body composition and blood chemistry of juvenile fat cod. Triplicate groups of fish (13.2 ± 0.54 g) were fed the diets containing different n‐3 HUFA levels (0–30 g kg^?1) adjusted by either lauric acid or different proportions of corn oil, linseed oil and squid liver oil at 100 g kg^?1 of total lipid level. Survival was not affected by dietary fatty acids composition. Weight gain, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the diets containing squid liver oil were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed the diets containing lauric acid, corn oil or linseed oil as the sole lipid source. Weight gain, feed efficiency and PER of fish increased with increasing dietary n‐3 HUFA level up to 12–16 g kg^?1, but the values decreased in fish fed the diet containing 30 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA. The result of second‐order polynomial regression showed that the maximum weight gain and feed efficiency could be attained at 17 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA. Plasma protein, glucose and cholesterol contents were not affected by dietary fatty acids composition. However, plasma triglyceride content in fish fed the diet containing lauric acid as the sole lipid source was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of fish fed the other diets. Lipid content of fish fed the diets containing each of lauric acid or corn oil was lower than that of fish fed the diets containing linseed oil or squid liver oil only. Fatty acid composition of polar and neutral lipid fractions in the whole body of fat cod fed the diets containing various levels of n‐3 HUFA were reflected by dietary fatty acids compositions. The contents of n‐3 HUFA in polar and neutral lipids of fish increased with an increase in dietary n‐3 HUFA level. These results indicate that dietary n‐3 HUFA are essential and the diet containing 12–17 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA is optimal for growth and efficient feed utilization of juvenile fat cod, however, excessive n‐3 HUFA supplement may impair the growth of fish.     

Optimal dietary protein levels in juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

A study was undertaken to determine the dietary protein level for optimal growth performance and body composition of juvenile Senegalese sole. Five experimental extruded diets were formulated to contain increasing levels of protein [430, 480, 530, 570 and 600 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)] and a constant lipid level, ranging from 100 to 130 g kg^?1 DM. Triplicate groups of 35 sole (initial body weight: 11.9 ± 0.5 g) were grown over 84 days in 60‐L tanks supplied with recirculated seawater. Fish were fed by means of automatic feeders in eight meals per day. At the start and end of the trial, whole‐body samples were withdrawn for proximate composition analysis. At the end of 84 days of experimental feeding, daily weight gain and specific growth rate in fish fed diets P43 and P48 were significantly lower than those found in fish fed higher protein level diets (P53, P57 and P59). Similarly, feed efficiency was also significantly lower in fish fed diet P43 than in fish fed all other dietary treatments. Sole juveniles fed lower protein level diets (P43 and P48) showed a significantly lower protein content than fish fed the higher dietary protein level treatments (P53, P57 and P60). Changes within the tested dietary protein levels did not affect significantly protein productive value or total nitrogen (N) losses in fish. However, daily N gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed diets P53 and P60 than in fish fed the lowest protein level diet (P43). Data from the present study indicate that diets for juvenile Senegalese sole should include at least 53% crude protein to maintain a good overall growth performance. Based on a second‐order polynomial regression model, the daily crude protein requirement for maximum whole‐body N gain as estimated here for Senegalese sole juveniles was 6.43 g kg^?1 body weight day^?1 which corresponds to a value of 1.03 g N intake kg^?1 body weight day^?1. If the present data are expressed on a dietary crude protein concentration basis, the allowance for maximum protein accretion (N gain) would be met by a diet containing a crude protein level of 600 g kg^?1.     

The effect of dietary oxidized lipid levels on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activities,intestinal lipid deposition and skeletogenesis in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae

Fish tissues, particularly rich in n‐3 PUFA, are prone to lipid peroxidation that can damage cellular membranes, cause severe lesions and subsequently incidences of disease and mortality. However, fish possess antioxidant defences, such as vitamin E (VE) and antioxidant enzymes, to protect them against oxidative damage. This study investigated the effects of an increasing gradient of oxidized dietary lipid on the survival, growth performance, skeletogenesis and antioxidant defensive processes occurring in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae. Four groups of fish were fed live prey enriched with experimental emulsions containing an increasing gradient of oxidized oil: non‐oxidized, NO+VE, 34.5 nmol MDA g^?1 w.w.; mildly oxidized, MO+VE, 43.1 nmol MDA g^?1 w.w.; highly oxidized, HO+VE, 63.3 nmol MDA g^?1 w.w. and highly oxidized without VE, HO‐VE, 78.8 nmol MDA g^?1 w.w. The oxidation levels increased in enriched rotifers following the oxidation gradient of the emulsions, but were not affected in enriched Artemia metanauplii. The oxidation status of Senegalese sole larvae increased during development, but this was not related to the dietary treatments. The increasing dietary oxidation levels did not affect the fatty acid profile, survival, growth performance and metamorphosis processes of sole larvae. Senegalese sole seem to activate antioxidant defence mechanisms in response to the increasing amounts of dietary peroxidized lipids, in a manner efficiently enough to prevent detection of any alterations of these physiological processes. Antioxidant systems and detoxification mechanisms appeared to occur through the consumption of dietary α‐tocopherol, the activation of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S‐transferase, glutathione reductase) and the retention of oxidized fat in the intestinal enterocytes for detoxification prior to their utilization. However, fish fed the highest oxidized diet presented a reduction in bone mineralization, but lower incidence of deformities in the vertebral and caudal regions than fish fed the other diets. This study exemplifies the importance of rearing Senegalese sole larvae on non‐oxidized diets during the early larval development to avoid detrimental consequences in older fish, most notably in the process of skeletogenesis.     

Water temperature does not affect protein sparing by dietary carbohydrate in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles

The effect of dietary protein reduction balanced by an increase in carbohydrate (starch) level on growth performance, feed utilization and intermediary metabolism of Senegalese sole juveniles was evaluated at two temperatures, 12 and 18°C. For that purpose two isolipidic (16% lipids) diets were formulated to contain 550gkg^?1 protein and 90gkg^?1 starch (diet HP:LC), and 450gkg^?1 protein and 200gkg^?1 starch (diet LP:HC). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial body weight: 15.9g) within each temperature. Diets had no effect on growth and feed utilization. Temperature affected growth but not feed efficiency, with fish growing more at 18°C. Fatty acid synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were higher at 12°C than at 18°C while activity of the other measured enzymes was not affected by water temperature. Glucokinase and malic enzyme activities were lower while fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase activity was higher in fish fed the HP:LC diet. Our data suggest that protein can be reduced from 550 gkg^?1 to 450 gkg^?1 by increasing starch level in high lipid diets for Senegalese sole juveniles without affecting overall performance. A reduction in protein content through an increase in dietary starch decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis. Increasing temperature from 12°C to 18°C improves fish growth but does not affect feed efficiency.     

Soy protein concentrate as a protein source for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) diets: effects on growth and amino acid metabolism of postlarvae

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a dietary amino acid imbalance, originating from the use of a soy protein concentrate (SPC) as the major protein source, on the growth performance and amino acid metabolism of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) postlarvae. Senegalese sole (85.6±24.6 mg wet weight) were fed one of two experimental diets: one based on fish meal (FM) and another based on SPC. Diets were isonitrogenous (around 56% crude protein) and isoenergetic. Diet acceptability was very good and the growth rate was 6.9% day^?1 for sole eating the FM diet and 6.0% day^?1 for sole eating the SPC diet. Mass‐specific ammonia excretion and the activities of selected amino acid metabolic enzymes (ALAT, ASAT and GDH) did not present significant differences between treatments, although this may have been due to the high variability found for these parameters in the SPC treatment. This variability may suggest different capacities of individual fish to adapt to the possible methionine dietary deficiency. The utilization of amino acids as a substrate for lipogenesis does not seem to be affected by the dietary protein source, since NAPDH‐generating enzymes (G6PD and ME) had similar activities in both treatments. Amino acid metabolism in Senegalese sole postlarvae seems to be slightly affected by the dietary protein source. Nevertheless, the changes induced by the SPC diet do not seem to impair growth, at least at the high dietary protein level used in this experiment.     

Optimization of phosphorus content in high plant protein practical diets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis,Kaup 1858) juveniles: influence on growth performance and composition of whole body and vertebrae

Practical diets containing PP sources were elaborated. Increasing levels of di‐calcium phosphate were added to diets leading to five different dietary available P levels: 2.5, 3.2, 6.0, 6.5 and 8.0 g kg^?1 dry diet. The dietary treatments were tested in 13.5 g Senegalese sole juveniles throughout an 82‐day experimental period. Dietary P content had no effect on the productive parameters, while nutrient intake was also similar among dietary treatments, except P intake. Dry matter ADC ranged between 54.9% and 64.0%, and the highest P ADCs value (47.2 ± 0.7%) was achieved in fish fed AP6.0. Dietary phosphorus level significantly influenced body lipid and P compositions. Regression analysis performed on whole‐body P and ash contents fitted to quadratic models. Vertebral bone P content was low but increased significantly with increasing dietary P levels. Bone density and deformities occurrence were, however, similar between experimental conditions. An altered status of bone formation–resorption processes in soles fed the lowest P content diet might be inferred from ALP and TRAP activities. In conclusion, overall results state a high tolerance of Senegalese sole to low P content diets and support the utilization of practical diets with high plant protein content.     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio for juvenile yellowfin seabream (Sparus latus)

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal carbohydrate‐to‐lipid (CHO: L) ratio for juvenile yellowfin seabream cultured in 340‐L indoor recirculating tanks. Seven isonitrogenous (450 g kg⁻¹ dietary protein) and isoenergetic (14.1 MJ kg⁻¹) diets with increasing CHO: L ratios (0.03–5.09 g: g) were fed to triplicate groups of 30 fish with an initial weight of 4.91 g for 56 days. Fish were fed to satiation twice a day and the water temperature ranged between 28 and 31.7 °C during the experimental period. Survival was high in all the groups and was not affected by dietary treatments. Best weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios of 0.29 and 0.72, which were not significantly different from that of 0.03, 1.26 and 1.92, but apparently higher than that of 3.22 and 5.09. Feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein production value (PPV) followed the same general pattern as WG and SGR. Highest level of energy production value (EPV) was found in fish fed diets with CHO: L ratio of 0.72. Proximate compositions of fish whole body and tissues were markedly affected by dietary CHO: L ratios. Whole body, muscle and liver lipid increased as CHO: L ratios decreased, whereas moisture contents were reduced. Dietary CHO: L ratios had no significant effect on protein content in whole body and muscle. Plasma total cholesterol levels of fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios less than 0.72 were significantly higher than those of the other groups. Triacylglyceride levels decreased linearly as dietary CHO: L ratios increased. Viscerosomatic index (VSI) significantly increased as dietary CHO: L ratios decreased. Intraperitoneal fat ratio (IPF) of fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios less than 1.92 were significantly higher than those fed CHO: L ratios of 3.22 and 5.09. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) did not vary between the test diets. Based on second‐order polynomial regression analysis of WG against dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels, 84.1 g kg⁻¹ of carbohydrate and 136.3 g kg⁻¹ of lipid, corresponding to a CHO: L ratio of 0.62, in a diet holding 450 g kg⁻¹ of crude protein and 14 KJ g⁻¹ of metabolizable energy, proved to be optimal for juvenile yellowfin seabream.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios on growth performance,body composition,nutrient utilization and hepatic enzymes activities of herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Six isonitrogenous (390 g kg^?1) and isoenergetic (16.2 kJ g^?1) diets with varying carbohydrate : lipid (CHO : L) ratios (202.5–1.74), were fed to triplicate groups of 25 fish in indoor recirculation system. Over 8‐week‐growth trial, best weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein production value (P < 0.05) were observed in fish‐fed diets with CHO : L ratio of 7.5. Fish fed either the lowest (1.7) or highest (202.5) CHO : L ratio tended to produce lower (P < 0.05) growth and feed conversion efficiencies. The values of viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio increased as dietary CHO : L ratios decreased. There were no significant differences in whole body and liver crude protein among dietary treatments. Whole body and liver lipid increased as CHO : L ratios decreased. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglyceride levels increased linearly as dietary CHO : L ratios decreased. Activities of glucokinase and pyruvate kinase were stimulated by elevated levels of dietary carbohydrate; however, activities of lipase (LPS) and alkaline phosphatase were stimulated by elevated levels of dietary lipid. Based on a second‐order polynomial regression analysis of WG against dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels, 275 g kg^?1 of carbohydrate and 59 g kg^?1 of lipid, corresponding to a CHO : L ratio of 4.7, in a diet holding 390 g kg^?1 of crude protein and 16.3 kJ g^?1 of gross energy, proved to be optimal for grass carp. These results indicated that utilization of dietary lipid and carbohydrate was moderate in grass carp, but the fish were a little more capable of utilizing lipid compared with carbohydrate.     

Effects of dietary amino acid profile on growth performance, key metabolic enzymes and somatotropic axis responsiveness of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Juvenile gilthead sea bream were fed to visual satiety with isonitrogenous diets based on fish meal and different plant ingredients (33–35% replacement) supplemented with free amino acids to meet the desired indispensable amino acid (IAA) profile and dispensable amino acid (DAA) content. In diets M and WB, IAA profile and DAA content resemble that of the muscle or whole body, respectively. In diets MGlu and WBGlu, DAA content was increased by adding -glutamic acid (Glu) and thus the IAA/DAA ratio varied from 1.13 (diet M) to 0.80 (diet WBGlu). Growth rates were not significantly different among experimental groups, but feed conversion ratio and nitrogen retention were impaired by the decrease of dietary IAA/DAA ratio. Postprandial ammonia excretion increased with the increase of dietary DAA content irrespective of IAA profile. Conversely, hepatic activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was lower in fish fed diet WBGlu than in fish fed diet M. Hepatic growth hormone (GH) binding was not significantly affected by the dietary treatment, but circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and GH were, respectively, down- and up-regulated in fish fed diet WBGlu, which suggests some defect in the transmission of GH receptor signal. Fat retention and hepatic activities of lipogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD; malic enzyme, ME) were decreased in fish fed diet MGlu. Key metabolic enzymes of hepatic glycolysis (glucokinase, GK) and gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, PEPCK) were also altered in this group of fish. Since soybean meal concentration was highest in diet MGlu, results on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism can be primarily attributed to this component of the diet. In contrast, data on growth performance, ammonia excretion and GH axis mainly reflect changes in the dietary amino acid profile, which reveals that a muscle IAA profile and a high IAA/DAA ratio are important in feeds for gilthead sea bream.