Dietary magnesium requirement and effects on growth and tissue magnesium content of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum concentration of dietary magnesium (Mg) for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Triplicate groups of grass carp (5.56 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (187, 331, 473, 637, 779 and 937 mg kg^?1) of Mg for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate and feed efficiency were linearly increased up to 637 mg kg^?1 dietary Mg and then levelled off beyond this level. For body composition, dietary Mg levels higher than 473 mg kg^?1 significantly decreased the moisture content but increased the lipid content of whole body, muscle and liver. Dietary Mg levels higher than 473 mg kg^?1 significantly decreased the ash contents of vertebrae, scales and muscle. Mg contents in whole body, vertebrae, scales and plasma were increased up to 637 mg kg^?1 dietary Mg and then levelled off beyond this level. However, Ca and P contents seem to be inversely related to dietary Mg. Dietary Mg levels higher than 473 mg kg^?1 significantly decreased Zn and Fe contents in whole body and vertebrae. Broken‐line analysis indicated that 687 mg kg^?1 dietary Mg was required for maximal tissue Mg storage, as well as satisfied for the optimal growth.     

Dietary manganese requirement of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) based on growth and tissue manganese concentration

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum concentration of dietary Manganese (Mn) for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Triplicate groups of grass carp (3.97 ± 0.05 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (4.0, 8.9, 13.8, 18.7, 23.6 and 33.3 mg kg^?1) of Mn for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate and feed efficiency were linearly increased up to the 18.7 mg kg^?1 dietary Mn and then levelled off beyond this level. For body composition, lipid contents in whole body, muscle and liver decreased significantly with increasing dietary Mn level. Grass carp fed with dietary Mn levels higher than 19.7 mg kg^?1 significantly decreased condition factor. Whole body, vertebrae and scales mineralization were all affected significantly by dietary Mn levels. Mn contents in whole body, vertebrae and scales were linearly increased up to the 18.7 mg kg^?1 dietary Mn and then levelled off beyond this level. Contrarily, Ca and P contents seem to be inversely related to dietary Mn. However, dietary Mn levels had no significant effect on body Fe contents. Broken‐line analysis indicated that 20.6 mg kg^?1 dietary Mn was required for maximal tissue Mn storage, as well as satisfied for the optimal growth of juvenile grass carp.     

Dietary zinc requirement of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) based on growth and mineralization

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of dietary zinc (Zn) for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Triplicate groups of grass carp (3.97 ± 0.05 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (13, 25, 34, 53, 89 and 135 mg kg^?1) of Zn for 8 weeks. Grass carp fed with dietary Zn levels higher than 34 mg kg^?1 significantly increased final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate (P < 0.05). For body composition, fish fed with dietary Zn levels higher than 53 mg kg^?1 significantly decreased the moisture contents but increased the lipid contents of whole body and liver. Whole body, scales, vertebrae and liver mineralization were all affected significantly (P < 0.05) by dietary Zn levels. Zn contents in whole body, scales, vertebrae and plasma were linearly increased up to the 53 mg kg^?1 dietary Zn and then remained stable beyond this level. Grass carp fed with dietary Zn levels higher than 53 mg kg^?1 significantly increased triacyglyceride and total cholesterol contents and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma (P < 0.05). Broken‐line analysis indicated that 55.1 mg kg^?1 dietary Zn was required for maximal tissue storage and mineralization as well as optimal growth of grass carp.     

Dietary potassium requirement of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) based on growth and tissue potassium content

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum concentration of dietary potassium (K) for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Triplicate groups of grass carp (3.96 ± 0.06 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (0.87, 2.90, 5.37, 7.54, 9.87 and 12.4 g kg^?1) of K for 8 weeks. Final body weight, weight gain and feed efficiency and gill Na⁺‐K⁺ ATPase activity were highest in fish fed with 9.87 g kg^?1 dietary K and lowest in fish fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). The K contents in whole body and muscle were linearly increased up to the 9.87 g kg^?1 dietary K and then levelled off beyond this level, whereas in scales and vertebrae up to the 7.54 g kg^?1 dietary K (P < 0.05). However, dietary K levels had no significant effect on ash, Ca, P and Mg contents in whole body, scales, vertebrae or muscle. Analysis using polynomial regression of weight gain and gill Na⁺‐K⁺ ATPase activity and using the broken‐line regression of whole body K concentrations indicated that the adequate dietary K concentration for grass carp is about 9.45–9.99 g kg^?1 diet.     

Dietary available phosphorus requirement of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum concentration of dietary available phosphorus (P) for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Triplicate groups of grass carp (5.59 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (2.36, 4.27, 6.31, 8.36, 10.4 and 14.8 g kg^?1) of available P for 8 weeks. Grass carp fed with the P‐supplemented diets had significantly higher specific growth rate, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency than fish fed with the basal diet. In whole‐body composition, protein content increased, while lipid content decreased with the increase in P level in diet (P < 0.05). Fish fed with the P‐supplemented diets had significantly higher whole body, vertebrae and scales mineralization (P < 0.05), but Ca/P ratios were not influenced. The blood chemistry analysis showed that dietary available P had distinct effects on P, Ca and Mg contents, as well as on the contents of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol. Broken‐line analysis indicated that 8.49 g kg^?1 dietary available P was required for maximal tissue storage and mineralization as well as optimal growth.     

Effect of dietary magnesium supplementation on the growth performance of juvenile gibel carp,Carassius auratus gibelio

Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) of mean initial weight 3.1 g were fed one of seven casein‐dextrin‐based diets containing graded levels of magnesium (Mg) (39, 120, 220, 380, 700, 1600 and 2900 mg kg^?1) for 3 months with the waterborne Mg concentration of 10.6–12.7 mg L^?1. Magnesium sulphate was used as the supplementation Mg source in the diets. The experiment was carried out in a flow‐through system. Growth, survival rate, Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase, Mg²⁺‐ATPase and tissue mineral contents were measured to investigate the effect of dietary magnesium in gibel carp. At the end of the experiment, the hepatopancreas of fish were collected for enzyme determination. The hepatopancreas, vertebrae and whole body were collected for tissue magnesium content analysis. After 3 months, dietary magnesium supplementation did not improve the growth performance, including feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of juvenile gibel carp. On the contrary, negative impacts on survival, reduced growth performance and dramatically decreased Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase, Mg²⁺‐ATPase and superoxide dismutase activities were observed in gibel carp fed a high Mg diet of 2900 mg kg^?1. Although serum and hepatopancreas Mg and Ca contents were not affected by dietary Mg supplementation, vertebrae and whole‐body Mg contents increased significantly with the increasing dietary Mg concentrations. Based on the relationship between whole‐body Mg retention and dietary Mg concentration, a suitable dietary Mg level of 745 mg kg^?1 could be estimated for gibel carp. It could be concluded that dietary Mg supplementation did not improve the growth performance, but could increase vertebrae Mg contents of gibel carp. Considering the adverse effects, a dietary Mg concentration of above 2900 mg kg^?1 is not recommended and it should be careful to supplement magnesium in practical diets for gibel carp as most feed ingredients contain high magnesium concentrations.     

Growth performance and tissue mineral content of juvenile grouper (Epinephelus coioides) fed diets supplemented with various levels of manganese

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary manganese (Mn) on growth, vertebrae and whole‐body Mn content of juvenile grouper, and to examine the effect of dietary Mn on copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) content of vertebrae and whole body. Seven casein‐gelatin‐based diets were supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 and 1000 mg kg^?1 of Mn from MnSO₄·H₂O. Grouper with an initial weight of 12.9 ± 0.4 g were fed to satiation with one of the seven diets for 8 weeks. Growth was not significantly affected by dietary Mn supplements. Vertebrae Mn increased from 31.7 to 118.1 mg kg^?1 dry weight with dietary Mn supplement increasing from 0 to 50 mg kg^?1 (y = ?0.0002x³ + 0.0162x² + 1.3903x + 26.27, R² = 0.9561, where y is the vertebrae Mn content and x is the dietary Mn content). Whole‐body Mn increased from 2.5 to 7.8 mg kg^?1 wet weight with dietary Mn supplement increasing from 0 to 50 mg kg^?1 (y = 0.00001x³ ? 0.00107x² + 0.11054x + 2.24615, R² = 0.9080, where y is the whole‐body Mn content and x is the dietary Mn content). Dietary Mn had no significant effect on vertebrae Fe, Ca, P and Mg content, and whole‐body Cu, Zn and Mg content. However, vertebrae Zn and whole body Ca, P were highest in fish fed diet supplemented with 15 mg kg^?1 of Mn. Based on this, Mn supplement of 15 mg kg^?1 might be the optimum when the basal diet contained 4 mg kg^?1 of Mn. Fish fed diet supplemented with 1000 mg kg^?1 of Mn did not show any gross abnormality or change in feeding behaviour, but Mn contents of vertebrae and whole body were as high as 695.1 mg kg^?1 dry weight and 42.5 mg kg^?1 wet weight, respectively. Also, whole body Fe decreased significantly when Mn supplement was up to 1000 mg kg^?1.     

Dietary phosphorus requirement of juvenile Chinese sucker,Myxocyprinus asiaticus

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of dietary available phosphorus (P) for Chinese sucker juveniles. Triplicate groups of juveniles Chinese sucker (initial mean weight: 1.77 ± 0.02 g, mean ± SD) were fed diets containing graded levels (3.1, 5.3, 7.5, 9.6 and 11.8 g kg^?1) of available phosphorus. The basal diet (diet 1), containing 3.1 g kg^?1 available P, was supplemented with graded levels of monocalcium phosphate to formulate four experimental diets. The fish were fed twice daily (08:00 and 17:00 h) to satiation for 8 weeks. During the experimental period, the water temperature fluctuated from 27.5 to 30.5 °C and dissolved oxygen was more than 6 mg L^?1. The specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio were all significantly increased by dietary available phosphorus up to 7.5 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05) and then levelled off beyond this level. Feed conversion ratio significantly decreased with dietary available phosphorus level up to 7.5 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments did not significantly affect feed intake (P > 0.05). Efficiency of phosphorus (P) utilization significantly decreased with dietary available phosphorus level (P < 0.05). Body composition analysis showed that the whole‐body lipid, ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) contents were all significantly affected by dietary available P concentration (P < 0.05); however, no significance were found for manganese (Mn) concentration and calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios in whole‐body among all the treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary phosphorus levels also significantly affected the mineralization of vertebrae and scale (P < 0.05), and Ca/P ratios in scale were not influenced by dietary P supplementation, while vertebrae Ca/P ratio decreased with dietary available P levels (P < 0.05) (quadratic effect, P < 0.001). Signs of phosphorus deficiency were characterized by poor growth, slightly reduced mineralization and an increase in body lipid content. The blood chemistry analysis showed that dietary available P had distinct effects on enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase, as well as contents of triacyglycerol and total cholesterol (P < 0.05). Broken‐line analysis based on weight gain indicated the minimum available phosphorus requirement for the optimal growth of juvenile Chinese sucker was 7.4 g kg^?1. Based on the phosphorus content in whole body, vertebrae or scale indicated that the requirements were 8.3, 8.8 and 8.6 g kg^?1 respectively.     

Effects of dietary calcium levels on growth and tissue mineralization in Japanese seabass,Lateolabrax japonicus

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of calcium (Ca) on growth and tissue mineralization in Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus. Six experimental diets were formulated to contain different levels of Ca (2.9, 4.2, 6.5, 7.9, 10.2 and 31.0 g kg^?1) from dietary ingredients and Ca‐lactate·5H₂O. The diets were fed to three triplicate groups of Japanese seabass (initial weight, 12.5 ± 0.0 g) for 56 days. Dietary Ca had no significant effect on survival or feed efficiency; however, the highest Ca (31.0 g kg^?1) diet significantly reduced weight gain, feeding rate and whole‐body and muscle protein and lipid contents, as well as serum Ca concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity. A significant reduction in vertebral Ca, P, Zn, Fe and Mn contents and scale Ca, P, Mg and Mn contents was observed in Japanese seabass as dietary Ca level increased. Deformed fish were primarily found in the 2.9 and 31.0 g Ca kg^?1 groups, indicating that these fish had poor bone mineralization.     

Influence of dietary phosphorus levels on growth,body composition,metabolic response and antioxidant capacity of juvenile snakehead (Channa argus × Channa maculata)

A study was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of dietary phosphorus (P) for Channa argus × Channa maculata. Effects of dietary P levels on the tissue composition, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status were also examined. Five practical diets were formulated to contain graded levels (4.8 g kg^?1, 6.4 g kg^?1, 7.9 g kg^?1, 9.4 g kg^?1 and 11.0 g kg^?1) of available P from dietary ingredients and monocalcium phosphate (MCP). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 juvenile fish (initial body weight, 20.50 ± 0.53 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) were all significantly improved by dietary P up to 9.4 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05) and then levelled off beyond this level. Broken‐line analysis showed maximum weight gain (WG) was obtained at dietary available P concentrations of 9.6 g kg^?1. With the increase in dietary P level, protein efficiency rate (PER) increased significantly and reached a plateau, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR), the mesenteric lipid somatic index (MSI) and the whole‐body lipid content significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Dietary P levels also affected the mineralization (ash and P) of whole body, vertebrae and scale (P < 0.05). Quadratic analysis based on P contents in whole body, vertebrae, scale and ash content in vertebra indicated that the available P requirements were 10.4, 9.8, 10.0 and 10.3 g kg^?1, respectively. However, no differences were found in the whole‐body moisture, crude protein, serum calcium (Ca) contents or Ca/P value, as well as the viscerosomatic index (VSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) among all the treatments (P > 0.05). Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) decreased significantly, while serum P content, HDL‐C/TC and HDL‐C/LDL‐C value increased significantly with dietary available P levels (P < 0.05). No significant changes in superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were observed (P > 0.05), but serum catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and the ratio of CAT/SOD and GPx/SOD increased significantly with increasing dietary P levels (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the optimal P requirement of juvenile snakehead in practical feed was 9.6 g kg^?1. Signs of P deficiency were characterized by poor growth, slightly reduced mineralization and the antioxidant capacity and an increase in body lipid content.     

Dietary calcium/phosphorus ratio influences the efficacy of microbial phytase on growth,mineral digestibility and vertebral mineralization in juvenile tiger puffer,Takifugu rubripes

A 2 × 3 factorial feeding trial was conducted to determine effects of dietary Ca/P ratio and dietary microbial phytase on growth, mineral digestibility and vertebral mineralization in tiger puffer. The treatments consisted of three levels of Ca/P ratios (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) combined either with phytase (2000 FTU kg^?1 diet) or without supplementation, respectively. The Ca/P ratios were achieved by supplementing calcium at 0, 6 and 12 g kg^?1 combined with the same level of inorganic P at 5 g kg^?1. After a 50‐day feeding trial, puffer fish fed the diet at low Ca/P ratio (0.5) together with phytase had significantly higher growth rate and feed intake (FI) than other groups. Both dietary Ca/P ratio and phytase supplement were independent effects on plasma minerals and alkaline phosphatase. Interactive effect between both dietary treatments was observed on P and Zn contents in vertebrae and whole body. P and Zn digestibilities tended to increase with increased Ca/P ratio from 0.5 to 1.0, especially when phytase was supplemented. In conclusion, fish fed a diet with highest Ca/P ratio (1.5) showed the poorest growth performance and nutrients utilization. Dietary Ca/P ratio of 0.5 (without Ca supplement) with 2000 FTU phytase per kg would be the optimum combination in the diet of tiger puffer.     

Effects of supplemental phytic acid on the apparent digestibility and utilization of dietary amino acids and minerals in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

A feeding trial was conducted for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of supplemental phytic acid (PA) on the apparent digestibility and utilization of dietary amino acids (AAs) and minerals in juvenile grass carp. Five experimental diets consisted of graded levels of PA (0.2, 4.7, 9.5, 19.1 and 38.3 g kg^?1, named as P0, P5, P10, P20 and P40). Triplicate groups of fish (initial weight, 22.37 ± 0.16 g) were fed twice daily (08:00 and 16:00 h). The crude protein content in whole body significantly (p < .05) decreased in fish fed with 19.1 and 38.3 g PA kg^?1 diet. Supplemental PA (>4.7 g kg^?1) significantly reduced the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of AAs (Asp, Thr, Ser, Glu, Gly, Ala, Cys, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Phe, Lys, Pro, His and Arg) and the ADC of minerals (P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) in grass carp. The contents of minerals (P, Ca, Mg and Zn) in whole body and bone were also found to be significantly reduced in dietary PA > 4.7 g kg^?1, while the bone ash, serum Alkp and Zn contents were found to be significantly decreased when the PA supplementation level was above 9.5 g kg^?1, and the contents of serum Ca and Mg were found to be markedly altered in higher PA‐supplemented groups. The results indicated that supplemental PA decreased the apparent digestibility and utilization of AAs and minerals, and thus reduced the feed utilization of grass carp, suggesting that the level of total PA should be below 4.7 g kg^?1 in grass carp diet.     

Carbohydrate utilization by herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater fish species: a comparative study on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio. var CAS III) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate dietary carbohydrate utilization by omnivorous gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (2.4 ± 0.1 g) and herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (6.5 ± 0.1 g). Five isonitrogenous (370 g kg^?1) and isolipid (70 g kg^?1) diets were formulated with increasing corn starch levels (60, 140, 220, 300 and 380 g kg^?1). Results showed that specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) of gibel carp significantly increased from dietary starch of 60 to 300 g kg^?1 and then decreased from 300 to 380 g kg^?1, but those of grass carp showed no significant differences between treatments. Independent of dietary starch levels, grass carp gained significantly higher FE and PRE than gibel carp. Feeding rate (FR) of gibel carp was significantly higher than that of grass carp. In two fish species, high dietary starch (300 and 380 g kg^?1) tended to obtain higher hepatosomatic index (HSI), serum triglyceride, hepatic lipid and body lipid contents. Serum glucose concentration of grass carp was not affected, while that of gibel carp fed the starch of 300 g kg^?1 diet was significantly lower than those of the fish fed other four diets (60, 140, 220 and 380 g kg^?1). Grass carp showed high tolerance to dietary starch while dietary corn starch should be no more than 300 g kg^?1 for gibel carp. High starch contents may cause lipid accumulation in the liver and body.     

Dietary available phosphorus requirement of juvenile walking catfish,Clarias leather

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimum requirement of dietary available phosphorus (AP) for juvenile walking catfish, Clarias leather. Six practical diets were formulated to contain graded levels (2.2, 3.9, 5.5, 7.1, 8.8 and 10.4 g kg^?1) of AP from dietary ingredients and monocalcium phosphate. Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of fish with initial mean weight of 7.94 ± 0.08 g in floating cages (1.5 × 1.5 × 2.0 m) suspended in an earthen pond, and each cage was stocked initially with 60 fish. Fish were fed thrice daily (07:30, 13:00 and 17:30) to apparent satiation for 10 weeks. Both specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio significantly increased with increasing AP from 2.2 to 5.5 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05) and then levelled off. Dietary AP levels significantly influenced whole‐body protein, lipid and ash contents as well as condition factor and hepatosomatic index (P < 0.05). Whole‐body and vertebrae phosphorus contents showed similar patterns as SGR in response to dietary AP content. Broken‐line analyses based on SGR, phosphorus contents in the vertebrae and whole‐body indicated the AP requirements were 5.8, 7.2 and 7.5 g kg^?1, respectively.     

Dietary magnesium did not affect calcium and phosphorus content in juvenile grouper,Epinephelus coioides

Most of magnesium (Mg) in fish is located in the bone. Dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) has been reported to affect scales and vertebrae Mg dramatically in juvenile grouper, but the effect of dietary Mg on tissue Ca and P is unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Mg supplement on growth, feed efficiency, morphometry, and the ash and Ca, P, sodium (Na) content in scales and vertebrae of juvenile grouper. Seven experimental diets were formulated to contain graded levels of Mg by supplementing the basal diet with 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^?1 Mg in the form of Mg sulphate (MgSO₄·7H₂O). Juvenile grouper with an initial body weight of 11.8 ± 0.1 g were fed to apparent satiation twice per day for 10 weeks. Dietary Mg supplement had no significant effect on growth, feed efficiency, and Mg concentration in scales and vertebrae of grouper, which indicates the Mg requirement of grouper was met in fish fed the basal diet. Mg supplements had significant effect on morphometry index such as body length, condition factor, viscera somatic index and mesenteric fat index. Extra dietary Mg supplement to the basal diet had no negative effect on ash, Ca and P concentrations in scales and vertebrae.     

Dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile blunt snout bream. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated to contain graded isoleucine levels ranging from 5.3 to 20.1 g kg^?1 dry diet. At the end of the experiment, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with increasing dietary isoleucine level up to 11.1 g kg^?1 dry diet, and dietary isoleucine level above 14.2 g kg^?1 dry diet declined these performances. Dietary isoleucine levels (14.2 and 17.3 g kg^?1 dry diet) significantly improved whole‐body protein content, but decreased whole‐body lipid, plasma triglyceride and cholesterol contents. Significantly lower visceral fat index (VFI) in fish fed with 14.2 g kg^?1 dietary isoleucine was observed compared to those fed with deficient or excessive isoleucine. Dietary isoleucine supplementation significantly increased plasma isoleucine concentration, while plasma valine and leucine concentrations showed a reversed trend. Dietary isoleucine levels regulated the target of rapamycin (TOR) gene expression and improved plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in juvenile blunt snout bream. Based on second‐order polynomial regression model analysis of SGR and FER, the optimum dietary isoleucine requirement was estimated to be 13.8 g kg^?1 dry diet (40.6 g kg^?1 dietary protein) and 14.0 g kg^?1 dry diet (41.2 g kg^?1 dietary protein), respectively.     

The impaired flesh quality by iron deficiency and excess is associated with increasing oxidative damage and decreasing antioxidant capacity in the muscle of young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

To investigate effects of iron (Fe) on growth, haematological parameters, flesh quality and antioxidant status in muscle, young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) (292.0 ± 3.2 g) were fed graded levels of Fe (20.7, 38.4, 52.8, 79.3, 98.0 and 120.0 mg kg^?1 diet) for 8 weeks. Per cent weight gain (PWG) and feed intake were improved with Fe levels up to 52.8 mg kg^?1 diet. Serum Fe, erythrocyte counts, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit and mean cell haemoglobin increased with optimal Fe levels (38.4–79.3 mg kg^?1 diet) (P < 0.05). The muscle protein and lipid contents were increased by dietary Fe, whereas moisture, liquid loss, shear force and hydroxyproline contents followed opposite trends. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents in muscle were the lowest in fish fed the 52.8 or 79.3 mg Fe kg^?1 diet, respectively, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, and glutathione content were increased by Fe levels up to 52.8–79.3 mg kg^?1 diet. Results indicated that the optimal Fe improved growth, flesh quality and muscle antioxidant defence of young grass carp. Dietary Fe requirements for PWG, serum Fe and Hb of young grass carp (292–695 g) were 73.5, 72.8 and 69.0 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

Effects of dietary phosphorus on growth,body composition and immunity of young taimen Hucho taimen (Pallas, 1773)

The effects of dietary phosphorus (P) on growth, body composition and immunity of young taimen (Hucho taimen) were studied. Six purified diets contained graded levels (2.3‐control, 4.0, 5.6, 7.5, 9.1 and 10.8 g kg^?1 diet) of available P. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 30 fish with an initial average weight (55.31 ± 0.38) g for 84 days. The weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio were improved by dietary available P up to 4.35 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05) and then levelled off. Hepatosomatic index and body crude lipid content decreased significantly with increasing P levels, while ash contents and P concentrations in the whole body and vertebrae increased by dietary available P up to 4.36 and 4.44 g kg^?1 and then levelled off respectively (P < 0.05). Liver superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and plasma alkaline phosphatase activities in the treatment groups were significantly higher compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Plasma IgM contents increased linearly with increasing dietary P from 4.0 to 9.1 g kg^?1 group and then decreased. Dietary P supplementation reduced plasma triglyceride, malondialdehyde and liver malondialdehyde contents. There were no significant effects on plasma total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, catalase, lysozyme and liver catalase compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Broken line regression analysis indicated that dietary available P requirement was 4.34 and 4.35 g kg^?1, based on weight gain and P concentration in the whole body respectively.     

Dietary choline requirement in slight methionine‐deficient diet for juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted in a flow‐through system to determine dietary choline requirement for juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (5.5 ± 0.1 g). Purified basal diet was formulated using vitamin‐free casein as protein source. Choline chloride was supplemented to the basal diet to formulate seven diets containing 76.1, 163, 356, 969, 1457, 2024 and 4400 mg kg^?1 choline. Dietary methionine was 0.58%, less than the requirement (0.69%). The results indicated that specific growth rate (SGR) was higher in the fish fed 2024 mg kg^?1 diet than the control group. Feeding rate and feed efficiency were not significantly affected. Protein productive value increased as dietary choline increased from 76.1 to 2024 mg kg^?1 diet and was lower in the fish fed the diet containing 4400 mg choline kg^?1 diet. Serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and total cholesterol significantly increased with increasing dietary choline up to 1457 mg kg^?1, and no differences were found with further increase. Fish carcass fat contents decreased significantly with increased dietary choline. Hepatic lipid contents increased with dietary choline up to 1457 mg kg^?1 and then decreased. Quadric regression of SGR and plasma HDL‐C indicted dietary choline requirement was 2500 and 2667 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

Effect of dietary arachidonic acid levels on growth performance,hepatic fatty acid profile,intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses for juvenile Synechogobius hasta

An 8‐week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) levels on growth performance, hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses for juvenile Synechogobius hasta. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with arachidonic oil (containing 400 g ARA kg^?1) at inclusion levels of 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 g kg^?1 to replace corn oil. Dietary ARA levels were 0.6, 8.6, 16.7, 32.7 and 64.8 g kg^?1 total fatty acids (FAs), respectively. Fish fed the 8.6–32.7 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs showed the highest weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed intake. By contrast, feed conversion ratio was the lowest for fish fed the 8.6–32.7 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs. Increasing ARA and total n‐6 fatty acid contents and declining linoleic acid content in liver were observed in fish fed the diet containing increasing dietary ARA levels. As a consequence, ∑n‐6/∑n‐3 ratios increased with increasing dietary ARA levels. Dietary ARA levels significantly influenced several enzymatic activities involved in hepatic intermediary metabolism, such as succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase. Superoxide dismutase activity increased with increasing dietary ARA levels. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities and malondialdehyde levels in liver tended to increase with increasing dietary ARA levels from 0.6 to 32.7 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs then declined when dietary ARA levels further increased to 64.8 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs. Broken‐line regression analysis of SGR against dietary ARA level indicated that optimal dietary ARA requirement for juvenile S. hasta was 10.74 g kg^?1 total FAs.