饲料蛋白水平对瓦氏黄颡鱼消化酶活性的影响

为了探讨饲料营养与鱼类消化酶之间的相互作用,以优质秘鲁鱼粉为饲料蛋白原,研究了5种蛋白水平(31.1%、35.5%、40.9%、46.5%、50.3%)的饲料对平均体重为(12.13±0.25) g的瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus vachelli)胃、肠和肝胰脏消化酶活性的影响.经过35 d的养殖试验,结果表明:(1)随着饲料蛋白水平的增加,鱼的蛋白酶活性均有所增加,其中胃和肠组织的40.9%组酶活性与各实验组显著差异(P<0.05),肝胰脏的各实验组间蛋白酶活性差异不显著(P>0.05);(2)各实验组的脂肪酶活性均随饲料蛋白水平的增加而略有下降,但变化趋势不明显,各实验组间胃、肠、肝胰脏的酶活性无显著差异(P>0 05);(3)饲料蛋白水平对瓦氏黄颡鱼肠淀粉酶有一定的影响,其活性随着饲料蛋白水平的升高略显下降,但对胃和肝胰脏淀粉酶活性无显著影响 (P>0 05),随着饲料蛋白水平的升高,其淀粉酶活性变化无明显规律.     

饲料蛋白水平对瓦氏黄颡鱼消化酶活性的影响

为了探讨饲料营养与鱼类消化酶之间的相互作用,以优质秘鲁鱼粉为饲料蛋白原,研究了5种蛋白水平(31.1%、35.5%、40.9%、46.5%、50.3%)的饲料对平均体重为(12.13±0.25)g的瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus vachelli)胃、肠和肝胰脏消化酶活性的影响。经过35d的养殖试验,结果表明:(1)随着饲料蛋白水平的增加,鱼的蛋白酶活性均有所增加,其中胃和肠组织的40.9%组酶活性与各实验组显著差异(P<0.05),肝胰脏的各实验组间蛋白酶活性差异不显著(P>0.05);(2)各实验组的脂肪酶活性均随饲料蛋白水平的增加而略有下降,但变化趋势不明显,各实验组间胃、肠、肝胰脏的酶活性无显著差异(P>0.05);(3)饲料蛋白水平对瓦氏黄颡鱼肠淀粉酶有一定的影响,其活性随着饲料蛋白水平的升高略显下降,但对胃和肝胰脏淀粉酶活性无显著影响(P>0.05),随着饲料蛋白水平的升高,其淀粉酶活性变化无明显规律。     

不同发育时期月鳢消化酶活性的变化

对月鳢稚鱼、幼鱼和成鱼的主要消化酶活性及分布进行了研究，结果如下：①随着鱼体发育和生长，月鳢消化系统各器官组织的各种消化酶活性不断地增强，尤其是蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性的发育更为明显。②月鳢幼鱼蛋白酶活性以肠组织最大，肝胰脏次之，胃组织最小，且肠组织和肝胰脏中该酶活性显著高于胃组织；胰蛋白酶活性以肝胰脏最大，胃组织和肠组织均表现较小；淀粉酶活性和脂肪酶活性均以胃组织最大，且显著大于肠组织和肝胰脏。③月鳢成鱼蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和后肠粘膜组织最高，前肠粘膜和肝胰脏次之，胃粘膜最低；胰蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和前肠粘膜最高，胃粘膜组织次之，肝胰脏小于胃粘膜，后肠粘膜组织的胰蛋白酶活性最小；淀粉酶活性以后肠粘膜组织和中肠粘膜组织最大，肝胰脏次之，胃粘膜组织和前肠粘膜组织最小；脂肪酶活性以胃粘膜组织最大，其他器官组织该酶活性均表现较小。     

不同年龄黑尾近红鲌消化酶活性比较

用生物化学方法测定了一龄和二龄黑尾近红鲌(Ancherythroculter nigrocauda)肝胰脏及肠道蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶的活性,并对两个年龄组个体的上述消化酶活性分别进行了比较。实验测得一龄鱼蛋白酶活性大小为前肠>中肠>后肠>肝胰脏,二龄鱼蛋白酶活性大小为中肠>前肠>后肠>肝胰脏;两个年龄组淀粉酶活性变化趋势相同,为肝胰脏>中肠>后肠>前肠;两个年龄组消化道中脂肪酶活性变化趋势也基本相同,为后肠>中肠>前肠>肝胰脏。总体来看,一龄鱼消化酶活性大于二龄鱼,蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性差异显著,而脂肪酶活性差异不显著。结果表明:在二龄鱼人工配合饲料中,要适当减少蛋白质和碳水化合物的比例。     

不同发育时期月鳢消化酶活性的研究

对月鳢(Channa asiatica)稚鱼、幼鱼和成鱼的主要消化酶活性及分布进行了研究.结果表明,随着鱼体的发育和生长,月鳢消化系统各器官组织的各种消化酶活性逐渐增强,尤其是蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性的增强更为明显.月鳢幼鱼蛋白酶活性以肠组织最大、肝胰脏次之、胃组织最小,且肠组织和肝胰脏中该酶活性显著高于胃组织;胰蛋白酶活性以肝胰脏最大,胃组织和肠组织均表现较小;淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均以胃组织最大,且显著大于肠组织和肝胰脏.月鳢成鱼蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和后肠粘膜组织最高,前肠粘膜和肝胰脏次之,胃粘膜最低;胰蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和前肠粘膜最高,胃粘膜组织次之,肝胰脏小于胃粘膜,后肠粘膜组织的胰蛋白酶活性最小;淀粉酶活性以后肠粘膜组织和中肠粘膜组织最大,肝胰脏次之,胃粘膜组织和前肠粘膜组织最小;脂肪酶活性以胃粘膜组织最大,其它器官组织该酶活性均表现较小.     

卵形鲳鲹消化酶活性的研究Ⅰ.成鱼和幼鱼消化酶活性

比较研究了卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)成鱼和幼鱼阶段消化酶(蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶)在不同消化器官中的活性.结果表明:1)成鱼蛋白酶在不同消化器官中的活性大小依次为胃＞前肠＞中肠＞幽门盲囊＞后肠＞肝;淀粉酶活性为前肠＞后肠＞幽门盲囊＞中肠＞肝＞胃;脂肪酶活性为前肠＞中肠＞后肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝＞胃.2)幼鱼蛋白酶在不同消化器官中的活性大小依次为胃＞肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝;淀粉酶活性为肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝＞胃;脂肪酶活性为肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝＞胃.3)成鱼不同消化器官中蛋白酶和淀粉酶的活性均小于幼鱼,成鱼胃和幽门盲囊的淀粉酶活性与幼鱼的差异显著;幼鱼胃脂肪酶活性大于成鱼,但其他器官的活性均小于成鱼.卵形鲳鲹幼鱼不同消化器官中的3种消化酶活性大小顺序与成鱼基本相似.     

铜暴露对鲤鱼消化器官消化酶活性的影响

摘 要：实验测定了外界铜离子对鲤鱼的肝胰脏和肠道中消化酶活性的影响，结果表明：在各铜离子浓度条件下，蛋白酶的活性由高到低的顺序为：肝胰脏＞中肠＞后肠＞前肠；淀粉酶活性由高到低的顺序为：中肠＞前肠＞肝胰脏＞后肠；脂肪酶活性由高到低的顺序为: 肝胰脏＞后肠＞前肠＞中肠；随着铜离子浓度的增加，4种消化器官中的3种消化酶活性均表现出先升高后降低的趋势；0.28和0.56 mg•L-1的铜离子对4种消化器官中的蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均有不同程度的激活作用，而0.84mg•L-1的铜离子则对4种消化器官中的蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均有不同程度的抑制作用；0.28、0.56和0.84 mg•L-1的铜离子对4种消化器官中的脂肪酶活性均有不同程度的激活作用；鲤鱼肠道中的蛋白酶活性对铜离子的浓度变化较敏感，可以考虑用作水体铜离子污染的环境生物学指示。     

饲料脂肪水平对白甲鱼幼鱼消化酶活性的影响

为评价不同饲料脂肪水平对白甲鱼(Onychostoma simus)幼鱼消化酶活性的影响,以豆油为脂肪源,分别以6种脂肪水平(2.83%、4.52%、6.68%、9.14%、11.35%、14.07%)的试验饲料养殖初始均质量(0.78±0.05)g的白甲鱼60 d。结果表明:随着饲料脂肪水平的升高,肠蛋白酶活性均呈下降趋势,但当饲料脂肪水平≥9.14%时差异不显著(P>0.05);肝胰脏蛋白酶活性在饲料脂肪水平<9.14%时无明显变化(P>0.05),脂肪水平>9.14%时显著降低(P<0.05);肠脂肪酶活性随着饲料脂肪水平的升高呈上升趋势;肝胰脏脂肪酶活性随饲料脂肪水平的升高呈先升后降的变化趋势,饲料脂肪水平≥11.35%时,肝胰脏脂肪酶活性显著降低(P<0.05),前肠淀粉酶活性无明显变化(P>0.05),中肠淀粉酶活性呈先升后降的变化趋势,后肠淀粉酶活性则略有下降(P>0.05),肝胰脏淀粉酶活性则呈先升后降的变化趋势,但差异不明显(P>0.05)。研究表明,适宜的饲料脂肪水平能改善白甲鱼幼鱼消化酶的活性,提高对饲料营养物质的消化利用率。     

温度对泥鳅消化酶活性影响的研究

在5～75 ℃以10 ℃为梯度差,pH 7.5时研究了温度对泥鳅肝胰脏及肠道不同部位消化酶活性的影响.试验结果表明,泥鳅肝胰脏淀粉酶活性最适温度为45 ℃,肠道各部位淀粉酶活性最适温度为35 ℃;蛋白酶活性最适温度肝胰脏及前肠为55 ℃,中肠及后肠为45 ℃;肝胰脏及中肠脂肪酶活性最适温度为55 ℃,前肠及后肠脂肪酶活性在45 ℃时最高.     

(鱼免)鱼消化酶活性的研究

以体重320～350 g的(鱼免)鱼(Miichthys miiuy)为实验材料,研究(鱼免)鱼消化酶的分布及不同pH值条件下胃、肝胰脏、幽门、前肠、后肠中蛋白酶的活性.结果表明,蛋白酶在各消化器官的比活力顺序:胃＞肝胰脏＞前肠＞幽门＞后肠,数值分别为:439.75±6.82、404.46±11.64、255.42±2.41、123.23±0.46、49.39±2.81;淀粉酶比活力顺序为:幽门＞肝胰脏＞前肠＞胃＞后肠,数值分别为:3 107.82±84.57、2 420.72±52.85、2 336.15±10.57、1 617.34±31.71、1 247.36±21.14;脂肪酶比活力顺序:肝胰脏＞幽门＞前肠＞后肠,数值分别为:177.99±0.23、80.79±6.97、46.69±5.06、42.76±2.25.胃、肝胰脏、前肠、幽门、后肠的蛋白酶最适pH值分别是1.9、9.0、8.4、9.0、8.0.研究表明:(鱼免)鱼的胃含有较高的胃蛋白酶及淀粉酶活性,在食物消化中起了重要作用.肝胰脏的蛋白酶、淀粉酶及脂肪酶的总酶活比其它消化器官都高,因此认为肝胰脏是消化酶的主要分泌器官.     

Ontogeny of protease, amylase and lipase in the alimentary tract of hybrid Juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus)

Juvenile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus), with average body weights of groups I, II and III of 55.14, 122.82, and 225.68 g respectively were used to study changes in the activity of protease, amylase, and lipase in different organs and sections of the alimentary tract. Additionally, tract containing digesta, which is closer to physiological conditions, may help reveal the mechanisms of whole chemical digestion process. Another group of tilapias (mean body weight of 111.81 ± 0.14 g) was used to analyze changes in activity of protease, lipase, and amylase in response to varying pH and temperatures. The activity of enzymes in all digestive organs increased when body weight increased from 55 to 122 g, and the activity further increased when the weights increased from 122 to 225 g. The rates of increase in digestive enzyme activity were significantly greater than the rates of growth of the fish. When the activity was compared in different sections of the tract, a similar regularity was found for the three enzymes in all fish. The highest amounts of activity were seen in the foregut and the lowest in the rectum, with the middle amount of activity in the hindgut. The pH ranges for the maximum activity of tilapia protease in the stomach and intestine were 1.6–3.3 and 9.5–10.5 respectively and the optimal temperature in these organs was 55°C. The pH ranges for the maximum amylase activity in the intestine and hepatopancreas were 6–7 and 7.5 respectively, and high amylase activity in these organs was found at 25–35°C. The activity of lipase in the intestine remained unchanged at pH 6.0–9.0 and with temperatures between 25 and 35°C. These results suggest that the ability of tilapia to utilize feed varies at different growth stages and remains relatively stable with changes in environmental pH and temperature, which should be taken into account when designing feed formulas for tilapia.     

Effects of non-starch polysaccharides enzyme, phytase and citric acid on activities of endogenous digestive enzymes of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus)

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) enzyme, phytase and citric acid have been shown to increase digestibility in pigs, poultry and some fish. To examine their roles in digestion in tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus  ×  Oreochromis aureus ), the present study was designed to evaluate their effects on activities of a number of endogenous digestive enzymes in tilapia. Neither NSPs enzyme (1 g kg⁻¹) nor phytase (1 g kg⁻¹) affected the activities of protease in digestive organs. In contrast, NSPs enzyme increased the activities of amylase in the hepatopancreas and intestine by 11.4% and 49.5%, respectively, while phytase (1 g kg⁻¹) increased the activities of amylase in the hepatopancreas and intestine by 14.0% and 24.1%, respectively. Citric acid (10 g kg⁻¹) increased the activities of protease in stomach by 29.6%, but reduced the activities of protease in the intestine by 35.1%. Citric acid increased the activities of amylase in the hepatopancreas and intestine by 30.7% and 29.4%. Lipase activities were not affected by NSPs enzyme, phytase or citric acid. Above results suggest that NSPs enzyme, phytase and citric acid primarily influence the activities of amylase in digestive tract of tilapia.     

L-苹果酸对吉富罗非鱼肠道结构功能及肝脏TCA循环效率的影响

实验选取体质量为(37.94±0.09)g吉富罗非鱼幼鱼420尾,随机分为7个处理(每个处理3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼),分别饲喂添加0(对照)、1.0、2.0、4.0、8.0、16.0和32.0 g/kg L-苹果酸的饲料,进行为期154 d的生长实验,研究L-苹果酸对罗非鱼肠道组织结构和功能及肝脏TCA循环效率的影响。结果发现,随着L-苹果酸水平的增加,前肠和中肠绒毛高度、密度、肌层厚度均在16.0 g/kg组达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P0.05);后肠绒毛高度、密度和肌层厚度逐渐降低(P0.05)。肠道淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均在1.0 g/kg组达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P0.05);肠道蛋白酶、肝脏ATP含量随着L-苹果酸水平的增加逐渐升高(P0.05);肠Na+-K+-ATP酶活力、肠表皮生长因子(EGF)和肠表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)含量在16.0 g/kg组达到最高值;肝脏柠檬酸合酶活力在8.0 g/kg到达最大值。研究表明吉富罗非鱼饲料中适量添加L-苹果酸(1.0~8.0 g/kg),能改善罗非鱼前肠和中肠的形态结构,促进肠粘膜上皮细胞的增殖,提高肠消化和吸收能力,同时提高肝脏TCA循环效率。     

Influence of 5′‐inosine monophosphate and 5′‐guanosine monophosphate on growth,feed digestibility and activity of digestive enzymes in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

We evaluated the influence of different proportions of 5′‐inosine monophosphate (IMP) and 5′‐guanosine monophosphate (GMP) on growth, feed digestibility and activity of digestive enzymes of turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Weight gain and daily feed intake were significantly higher in S. maximus fed with IMP or GMP, in comparison with fish fed with neither IMP nor GMP. The growth of 0.05% IMP + 0.05% GMP group was the best, and the intestinal digestive function was improved. The addition of IMP and GMP to fish diets significantly increased the apparent feed digestibility coefficient of dry matter and protein, as well as intestinal protease activity. The highest intestinal protease activity was observed in fish fed with 1 g/kg IMP. However, the lipase activity in hepatopancreas decreased significantly after addition of nucleic acid. According to our results, the optimal level of dietary IMP is 1 g/kg, which is in line with most of the growth performance and feed digestibility.     

生物絮凝养殖条件下吉富罗非鱼的消化能力和非特异性免疫能力研究

为研究生物絮凝养殖条件下吉富罗非鱼的消化能力和免疫能力,采用室内循环水养殖系统(对照组)和生物絮凝养殖系统(实验组)饲养吉富罗非鱼(24.17±2.49)g 59 d。结果显示,与对照组相比,实验组水体中总氨氮(TAN)和亚硝态氮(NO-2-N)浓度均显著高于对照组,分别为(20.48±14.66)和(33.77±34.57)mg/L。但实验结束时实验组终末密度(FD)高达36.89 kg/m3,终末质量(FIW)、增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)均高于对照组(P0.05),饵料系数(FCR)比对照组降低18.7%(P0.05)。实验组饲料氮利用率为57.97%,显著高于对照组(49.51%)。实验组和对照组中罗非鱼的胃蛋白酶、胃脂肪酶、肠蛋白酶和肠脂肪酶活性无显著差异。除肝胰脏总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性显著低于对照组外,实验组血清、肝胰脏和头肾的T-SOD、溶菌酶(LZM)、碱性磷酸酶活力(AKP)活性较对照组无差异(P0.05)。     

Nutritional evaluation of Tenebrio molitor meal as fishmeal substitute for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet

Fishmeal (FM) and soy meal (SM) are the most common protein sources used in fish feed, but they are associated with environmental, economic or production problems. Insects could be an interesting alternative source of protein. This work investigates the nutritive value of Tenebrio molitor meal (TM) and the effect of total replacement of SM by TM (TM/FM diet) or partial replacement of FM by TM (TM/FM/SM diet) versus a diet based in SM and FM (FM/SM diet) for tilapia. We studied the chitin content in TM, the in vitro protein digestibility, protease activity, oxidative stress and antioxidant defences, growth performance and nutrient utilization. The results indicate that an inclusion up to 500 g kg^?1 of TM in the diet did not affect feed intake, in vitro protein digestibility, muscle amino acid composition or biometric indexes. However, their inclusion reduced growth performance and affected the muscle fatty acid profile. The lowest values for protease activity, elevated FRAP in digestive tracts and ROS level in muscle and higher SOD activity were observed in fish fed with SM/FM diet. The use of TM requires better understanding of the role of chitin in digestion and the study of toxins that might affect fish growth.     

Effects of four feeding stimulants in high plant‐based diets on feed intake,growth performance,serum biochemical parameters,digestive enzyme activities and appetite‐related genes expression of juvenile GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

The present research evaluated the effects of four feeding stimulants on feed intake (FI), growth performance, body composition, serum biochemical parameters, digestive enzyme activities and appetite‐related gene expression for juvenile GIFT tilapia. Five experimental high plant‐based diets (with 0, 0.4 g kg^?1 dimethyl‐β‐propiothetin (DMPT), 0.6 g kg^?1 dimethylthetin (DMT), 1.8 g kg^?1 tryptophan (Trp) and 6 g kg^?1 betaine (Bet), respectively supplemented) were fed to juvenile GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) (3.34 ± 0.01 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed that FI was significantly increased by Trp and DMT. The highest specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) was observed for fish fed Bet diet, followed by DMT. Serum triglyceride was significantly increased by DMPT. Fish fed Bet diet showed significantly higher intestinal protease, liver protease and intestinal amylase activities. The neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA expression in brain was significantly improved by Trp, and ghrelin mRNA expression in stomach was significantly increased by DMT. It is concluded that supplementation of Trp or DMT could act as an effective feeding stimulants (FS) in high plant‐based diets for juvenile GIFT tilapia, which might be associated with the relatively higher orexigenic (NPY or ghrelin) genes expression, and supplementation of Bet could improve SGR, PER and reduce feed conversion ratio (FCR) of juvenile GIFT tilapia.     

Effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation in diets on growth and feed utilization in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental exogenous enzyme on growth performance in juvenile hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus (18 g, average initial weight). A commercial enzyme complex (neutral protease, β‐glucanase and xylanase) was included at the level of 0.0 (control group), 1.0 and 1.5 g kg⁻¹ diet in three test diets. Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks of the juvenile three times a day at 4–6% of wet body weight, and each tank was stocked with 50 fish. The results showed that specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The highest feed intake was recorded in the group fed the control diet (P<0.05). The highest apparent protein retention was observed in fish fed the diet containing the 1.5 g kg⁻¹diet (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the apparent digestibilities (ADC) of protein, lipid and gross energy among dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, the ADC of dry matter in fish fed high supplementation (1.5 g kg⁻¹) was significantly higher than the control and low supplementation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in condition factor, whole body moisture, protein, lipid and ash among dietary treatments. Viscera ratio, hepatosomatic index and the liver lipid decreased significantly with increasing enzyme (P<0.05). Both protease and amylase activities in the intestine and the hepatopancreas of juvenile hybrid tilapia significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The results suggested that enzyme supplementation can significantly improve growth performance and feed utilization in juvenile hybrid tilapia.     

吉富罗非鱼亮氨酸需求量研究

实验以初始体质量为(53.65±0.05)g的吉富罗非鱼幼鱼为研究对象,随机分为7个处理组(每个处理3个重复,每个重复14尾鱼),分别饲喂亮氨酸(Leu)水平为1.11%、1.51%、1.90%、2.29%、2.69%、3.08%和3.48%的7种等氮等能(粗蛋白32%)的半精制饲料56 d,旨在评价吉富罗非鱼对Leu的最适需求量。结果表明,以增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料系数(FCR)为评价指标,通过二次回归分析可知,在投饲率为4%~6%时,罗非鱼饲料中适宜的Leu为2.28%~2.33%。随饲料Leu水平的增加,罗非鱼全鱼粗蛋白和粗脂肪、肌肉粗蛋白和粗脂肪均呈先升后降的趋势,而全鱼和肌肉水分差异不显著。罗非鱼胃蛋白酶、肠蛋白酶、肠脂肪酶、肠淀粉酶和Na+-K+-ATP酶的活性也随饲料Leu水平的升高呈先升后降趋势,除肠脂肪酶活性在2.69%水平组最高外,其他指标均在2.29%水平组达到最大值。同时,罗非鱼肠道表皮生长因子(EGF)、肠道表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)、血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、血清溶菌酶(LZM)和血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)也均在Leu为2.29%水平组达到最大值。研究表明,罗非鱼(50~200 g)饲料Leu的最适需求量为2.28%~2.33%(占饲料蛋白的7.11%~7.26%),该Leu水平能显著促进肠粘膜的发育,增强胃肠消化、吸收能力和机体非特异性免疫能力,从而促进罗非鱼的生长和饲料的转化。     

Effects of dietary protein levels on activities of protease and expression of ingestion and protein digestion‐related genes in Nile tilapia juveniles

While some studies have investigated the effects of dietary protein on the activities of protease in Nile tilapia, little information exists about these enzymes and hormones regulating appetite at the molecular level. Therefore, we investigated the performance, protease activities and expression of genes related to protein intake and digestion in juvenile tilapia fed with diets containing different levels of crude protein (CP): 25.14, 31.12, 36.60 and 42.05%. The fish were fed to apparent satiation three times a day for 65 days. The animal performance and the retention rates of protein and energy linearly decreased with an increase in dietary CP content. A positive quadratic effect of CP on pepsinogen was observed, although the acid protease activity was not affected. Trypsinogen and trypsin activity in the intestine presented similar patterns, showing a positive quadratic response to dietary protein levels. A linear increase in intestinal chymotrypsinogen expression was observed, but the activity of chymotrypsin showed a positive quadratic response. In addition, the expression of cholecystokinin (cck) and peptide yy (pyy) increased linearly with increasing CP. Dietary protein modulates the activity of alkaline proteases as well as the expression of these protease genes and hormones involved in appetite regulation. These changes can help expand our understanding of feed intake and digestion control, thereby improving feed formulations for this species.