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.     

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.     

Dietary supplementation of autolysed yeast enhances growth,liver functionality and intestinal morphology in African catfish

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of dietary supplementation of autolysed brewer's yeast (AY) on African catfish. The catfish (22.5 ± 1.15 g/fish, 20 fish 33 L/tank) were fed with either of diets (390 g/kg crude protein, 140 g/kg lipid) supplemented with 0, 3, 6 or 10 g/kg AY (n = 3). After 49 days of feeding, the final body weight and metabolic growth rate of the catfish fed 3 g/kg AY (3‐AY) diet were higher than those fed the control diet (p < .05). The lowest level (p < .05) of alanine transaminase was detected in the blood of the catfish fed 3‐AY diet. The mid‐intestinal histology of the catfish revealed no significant difference (p > .05) in intestinal perimeter ratio. However, an elevated (p < .05) abundance of goblet cells and intraepithelial leucocytes were found in the intestine of catfish fed 3, 6 and 10 g/kg AY diets, with the highest level of abundance recorded in the mid‐intestine of the catfish fed 3‐AY diet. The results suggest that dietary 3 g/kg autolysed brewer's yeast supplementation improves growth performance of African catfish without deleterious effect on liver functionality and gut morphology.     

Reduced fishmeal allowance with constant protein input for juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

In this study, we evaluated different dietary fishmeal and protein levels on growth performance, intestinal structure and intestinal microbial community of juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. A total of 1800 fish distributed into 36 tanks were fed with nine different diets containing three protein levels (300, 330 and 360 g/kg) with three fishmeal (FM) levels (0, 30 and 60 g/kg) for 90 days. The results showed that significant interactions between the protein level and FM level were observed in final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities. The significant lowest FW, WG, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase and AKP activities were observed in fish fed with no fishmeal and 300 g/kg protein dietary while the highest were shown in 60 g/kg fishmeal and 330 g/kg protein treatment. Additionally, the microvillar length of the mid‐intestine in catfish was significantly affected by the interaction between dietary protein level and fishmeal level. The intestinal samples were dominated by three major phyla, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. Genera Romboutsia and Turicibacter accounted for probably 800 g/kg of the phylum Firmicutes; meanwhile, genus Cetobacterium represented more than 900 g/kg of the phylum Fusobacteria. In conclusion, this study indicated that channel catfish juveniles can be fed with a practical diet without fishmeal as long as the protein level increased to 360 g/kg; however, if the percentage of dietary protein was 300 g/kg, it seemed that fishmeal need to be supplied as a protein source.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C on the growth performance,antioxidant ability and innate immunity of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Richardson)

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin C on growth performance, antioxidant status and innate immune responses in juvenile yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (44% crude protein and 7% lipid) were formulated to contain six graded dietary vitamin C (ascorbate‐2‐poly‐ phosphate, ROVIMIX^® STAY‐C^® 35) levels ranging from 1.9 to 316.0 mg kg^?1 diet. The results of present study indicated that fish fed the lowest vitamin C diet had lower weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) than those fed the diets supplemented vitamin C. WG and SGR did significantly increase with dietary vitamin C levels increasing from 1.9 to 156.5 mg kg^?1. However, no significant increase was observed with further dietary vitamin C levels increasing from 156.5 to 316 mg kg^?1. Survival, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency were not significantly affected by the dietary vitamin C levels. The activities of serum superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase significantly increased when dietary vitamin C levels increased from 1.9 to 156.5 mg kg^?1, fish fed the lowest vitamin C diet had higher serum malondialdehyde content than those fed the diets supplemented with vitamin C. Fish fed the diet containing 156.5 mg kg^?1 vitamin C had the highest lysozyme, total complement activity, phagocytosis index and respiratory burst of head kidney among all treatments. The challenge test with Aeromonas hydrophila indicated that lower cumulative survival was observed in fish fed the lowest vitamin C diet. Analysis by broken‐line regression of SGR and lysozyme activity indicated that the dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile yellow catfish was estimated to be 114.5 and 102.5 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

The dietary zinc requirement of a benthic fish Paramisgurnus dabryanus

This study was conducted to assess the dietary zinc (Zn) on growth and antioxidant capacity of adult Paramisgurnus dabryanus. Zinc methionine (ZnM) of grade levels (0, 20, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg diet respectively) was supplemented, providing actual dietary Zn concentrations of 24.38, 28.03, 31.68, 38.98, 46.28 and 53.58 mg/kg diet respectively. P. dabryanus with an initial body weight of 5.21 ± 0.15 g were fed these Zn supplemented diets for 8 weeks. Results showed that the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased with increasing dietary Zn levels from 24.38 to 31.68 mg/kg, and then decreased above these levels. The hepatopancreas index (HIS) was the highest at 31.68 mg/kg, followed by 38.98 mg/kg. The enzymatic antioxidants in plasma and hepatopancreas firstly increased, and reached the peak at 31.68 or 38.98 mg/kg, then kept stable with the increase of dietary Zn levels. On the contrary, the content of MDA firstly decreased, and then increased. According to WG and T‐AOC in plasma, the Zn requirement was determined to be 32.02 and 32.24 mg/kg, respectively, based on regression analysis. The relatively low dietary Zn requirement of P. dabryanus may involve in the evolutional adaption of metal absorption and utilization to their habitat.     

Citrus x aurantium essential oil as feed additive improved growth performance,survival, metabolic,and oxidative parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

The effects of dietary supplementation of graded level (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ml/kg diet) of Citrus aurantium essential oil (EOCA) on the growth, metabolic, and oxidative parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) were investigated in a 60‐day growth trial. Fish fed with 2.0 ml EOCA per kg exhibited significantly better growth performance than those fed the control diet. Glucose, lactate, and protein levels in liver and muscle were altered significantly by dietary addition of EOCA. Hepatic lipid peroxidation levels, measured using thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and lipid hydroperoxides assays, were reduced in animals receiving the diet containing EOCA. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher, while glutathione S‐transferase activity was lower in the liver of fish receiving 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ml EOCA per kg of diet than in control. The nonprotein thiols content was higher in fish receiving the EOCA‐containing diet. Thus, dietary addition of EOCA improved growth, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters in silver catfish and could be useful as dietary supplement.     

Effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance,feed utilization,intestinal morphology and metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

This study investigated the effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance, feed utilization and metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Fish (initial weight: 14.77 ± 0.45 g) were randomly fed one of five practical diets supplemented with graded levels of lysolecithin (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/kg) in quadruplicate groups for 10 weeks. Results showed that no significant differences in weight gain, condition factor and viscerosomatic index among all the treatments. Fish fed diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg lysolecithin had significantly decreased feed conversion ratio and significantly increased protein efficiency ratio compared to that fed the control diet. The group with 250 mg/kg of dietary lysolecithin had higher protein and lower lipid contents in the whole body, and lower lipid content in the liver than those in the control group. Groups supplemented with 250–500 mg/kg of dietary lysolecithin had significantly higher gastric and intestinal lipase activities than the control group. Dietary lysolecithin at the level of 250 mg/kg significantly increased the activities of Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, total antioxidative capacity, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde compared to the control diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of lysolecithin could confer benefits of feed utilization, body composition and antioxidative capacity of channel catfish.     

Dietary choline improves growth performance,antioxidant ability and reduces lipid metabolites in practical diet for juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary choline levels on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolites in juvenile Pacific white shrimp. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to supply 0, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, 10,000 mg/kg choline chloride, and dietary choline levels were analysed to be 1,317 (basal diet), 1,721, 2,336, 3,294, 5,421 and 9,495 mg/kg, respectively. Dietary choline levels significantly influenced percent weight gain (PWG) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), with the highest PWG was observed in shrimp fed the 5,421 mg/kg choline diet. However, there were no significant differences in proximate composition of whole body and muscle. Shrimp fed the diet containing 2,336 mg/kg choline had lower HDL and LDL in haemolymph than those fed the basal diet (1,317 mg/kg diet). Dietary choline prevented the accumulation of free radicals and improved antioxidant capacity by increasing catalase activity and reducing malondialdehyde content. Based on broken‐line regression and quadratic regression analysis between PWG against dietary choline levels, the optimal choline requirements were estimated to be 3,254.1 and 6,488.3 mg/kg for juvenile L. vannamei, respectively.     

Dietary lipid requirements of larval genetically improved farmed tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and effects on growth performance,expression of digestive enzyme genes,and immune response

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary lipid level on growth performance, antioxidant defense, and mRNA levels of digestive enzymes and immune genes in larval genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The results show that larvae fed lipid levels of 4–11.5% had greater weight gain (WG), feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and survival than larvae fed the other dietary lipid levels (P < 0.05). No difference whole‐body crude protein, ash or moisture contents were found between treatments (P > 0.05) but lipid contents increased as dietary lipid level was increased. The 8% and 11.5% dietary lipid levels had stimulatory effects on trypsin mRNA level compared with those of larvae fed the 15% and 18.5% lipid diets. Intestinal and liver amylase mRNA levels decreased in larvae fed the 18.5% lipid diet, following the decrease in dietary starch. Analysis of the secondary curve equation for WG indicated that the optimal dietary lipid level in larval tilapia was 8.56%. In addition, the 4–11.5% lipid levels improved superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased mRNA levels of heat shock protein70, hepcidin antimicrobial peptide‐1, and C‐type lysozyme in the liver of larvae (P < 0.05). A 192‐h Streptococcus iniae challenge study was conducted after the 35‐day feeding trial, and the results showed that post‐challenge mortality of larvae fed the 11.5% lipid level was the lowest and enhanced the immune activities.     

Effects of replacing fish meal with mussel (Cristaria plicata) meat on growth,digestive ability,antioxidant capacity and hepatic IGF‐I gene expression in juvenile Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis)

An 8‐week feeding trial was implemented to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with mussel (Cristaria plicata) meat (MM) on growth, digestive ability, antioxidant capacity and hepatic insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) gene expression of juvenile Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to include 0, 177.5 and 355.1 g/kg of MM, accordingly, replacing 0% (M₀, control), 50% (M₁) and 100% (M₂) of FM protein, respectively. The results showed that the final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake were gradually decreased with dietary MM protein levels increased, but there were no significant difference between M₀ and M₁ groups (p > 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio was increased significantly with dietary MM inclusion (p < 0.05). The apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, crude lipid and gross energy gradually increased with increasing dietary MM protein levels, but the apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein was not significantly affected by MM protein supplementation (p > 0.05). Fish fed diet, M₀ and M₁ remained unaffected significantly on activities of alpha‐amylase and pepsin (p > 0.05), but fish fed diet M₂ had the highest activities of alpha‐amylase and pepsin. Fish fed diet M₁ or M₂ had significantly lower hepatic total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and the higher malondialdehyde level compared to fish fed diet M_0. In addition, no significant difference was observed in hepatic IGF‐I gene expression level for fish fed diet M₀ and diet M₁, and fish fed diet M₂ showed significantly lower hepatic IGF‐I gene expression level. Therefore, we can conclude that MM protein can successfully substitute 50% of FM protein without significantly negative effect on growth, nutrient utilization, and hepatic IGF‐I gene expression for juvenile Ussuri catfish, but the antioxidant capacity was negatively affected in the present study, what is more, the total replacement of FM by MM in diet may result in the inhibition of the growth and antioxidant capacity of fish.     

Effect of dietary iron levels on growth,iron concentration in tissues,and blood concentration levels of transferrin and hepcidin in bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to estimate the effects of dietary iron (Fe) levels on growth, Fe concentration in the liver, spleen, and blood, and transferrin and hepcidin concentrations in the blood of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis). The six experimental diets were formulated to contain different Fe levels (0, 43.1, 84.2, 123.3, 162.2 and 203.1 mg/kg of dry diet) using ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄) as the source. The weight gain (WG) and the specific growth ratio (SGR) of A. nobilis fed with a dietary Fe level of 123.3 mg/kg were significantly higher than that of the 0 mg/kg Fe group (p < .05). The results indicated that the growth was affected by dietary Fe levels. Regression analysis of WG and SGR at different levels of dietary Fe suggests that the appropriate dietary requirement of Fe for the bighead carp larvae is 120–134.36 mg/kg. The Fe contents in different tissues were as follows: spleen > liver > whole body. When the Fe dietary content increases to 162.2 mg/kg, the blood concentrations of Fe significantly decreased and thereafter increased, hepcidin significantly decreased and thereafter decreased, and transferrin significantly increased and thereafter decreased. The results indicate that the transferrin blood content significantly increased with decreasing hepcidin of up to 264.63 μg/ml content and thereafter decreased. It could be concluded that after transferrin saturation, hepcidin functions to maintain iron balance in the blood of A. nobilis by decreasing transferrin content.     

High dietary starch inclusion impairs growth and antioxidant status,and alters liver organization and intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

Five diets (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5) containing 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g starch per kg diet were formulated to investigate the effects of starch level on largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Fish (initial weight: 22.00 ± 0.02 g) were fed the five diets for 90 days. Results indicated that weight gain, specific growth rate and survival of fish fed higher dietary starch level (200 g/kg) were lower than those of fish fed the lower dietary starch levels (0–50 g/kg). Higher dietary starch levels (150–200 g/kg) have a negative effect on antioxidant ability (total superoxide dismutase: T‐SOD; malonyldialdehyde: MDA; total antioxidant capacity: T‐AOC; glutathione peroxidase: GSH‐Px) and liver health (cellular contents leaked, nucleus deformed, endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body disappeared) of largemouth bass. Lower dietary starch levels (0–50 g/kg) modified intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass represented by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial such as Bacilli, Lactobacillales and Bacteroidales. These results indicated that dietary starch level above 50 g/kg had a negative effect on growth performance and antioxidant status of largemouth bass. Moreover, high dietary starch levels are potentially associated with negative alterations in liver structure and function, and decrease of beneficial gut microbes.     

Effects of dietary lipid levels on growth,feed utilization,digestive tract enzyme activity and lipid deposition of juvenile Manchurian trout,Brachymystax lenok (Pallas)

Six isoproteic diets were designated to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid levels (from 70 to 270 g/kg) on the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive tract enzyme activity and lipid deposition of juvenile Brachymystax lenok (average initial weight 0.54 ± 0.04 g). Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks (30 fish per tank) in an indoor closed recirculating system for 9 weeks. Final body weight and weight gain were highest in fish fed 190 g/kg diet and lowest in fish fed the 70 g/kg diet. Specific growth rate of fish fed with 190 g/kg diet was significantly higher than those fed with 70 and 270 g/kg diets (p < .05). Protein efficiency ratio of fish fed with 70 g/kg diet was significantly lower than the 110–230 g/kg treatments and was not significantly different from the 270 g/kg treatment. Fish fed with 270 g/kg diet had significantly higher hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index than those fed with 70–190 g/kg diets (p < .05). Intraperitoneal fat ratio and the whole‐body lipid content had a trend to increase with increase in dietary lipid level. Muscle crude lipid content increased up to 190 g/kg with increase in dietary lipid level. Lipid retention decreased with increase in dietary lipid level, while no significant differences in protein intake and retention levels were observed in fish among all treatments. Lipase activity of the mixture of pyloric caeca and foregut in fish fed 190 and 230 g/kg diets was significantly higher than those fed 70 and 110 g/kg diets. Midgut and hindgut lipase activities of fish were significantly higher than those fed the 190 and 230 g/kg diets. In conclusion, based on the second‐order polynomial model of WG and FCR, this study suggested that 173.8–195.0 g/kg dietary lipid levels were appropriated for B. lenok.     

Effects of dietary selenium on growth performance and oxidative stress in juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary selenium (Se) on feed intake, weight gain and antioxidant activity in juvenile grass carp (11.2 ± 0.03 g). Six Se levels (0.13, 0.41, 0.56, 1.12, 2.18 and 4.31 mg/kg) of semi‐purified diets were assayed in triplicate. The maximum weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake were obtained in fish fed with 1.12 mg Se/kg diet. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity was markedly increased when dietary Se ≤1.12 mg/kg diet and reached a plateau when dietary Se ≥1.12 mg/kg diet. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and serum catalase activities in juvenile grass carp fed with 0.56, 1.12 and 2.18 mg Se/kg diets were all significantly higher than those in the other groups. The malondialdehyde content in liver and serum was firstly decreased and then increased with increasing dietary Se content, and the lowest content was observed in fish fed with 1.12 mg Se/kg diet. With the increase in Se level, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were reduced. In addition, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and albumin content were highest in fish fed with 1.12 mg Se/kg diet. This study indicated that both the Se deficiency and excess of Se caused negative effect on the oxidative stress in juvenile grass carp and suggested that the health‐giving concentration of dietary inorganic Se was 1.12 mg/kg diet. Moreover, based on the broken‐line regression analysis of weight gain, the optimal concentration of dietary inorganic Se was 0.83 mg/kg for juvenile grass carp.     

Effects of dietary vitamin B1 on growth performance,blood metabolites,body composition,intestinal enzyme activities and morphometric parameters of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

The effects of vitamin B₁ on growth, blood metabolites, body composition, intestinal enzyme activities and morphometric parameters were evaluated by a 63‐day feeding trial in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco fed diets containing vitamin B₁ with 4.29, 6.02, 7.86, 11.94 and 19.05 mg/kg, respectively. Results showed that 7.86 mg/kg vitamin B₁ resulted in significantly higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (p < .05). Serum triglyceride, cholesterol and whole‐body lipid were observed in 11.94 mg/kg vitamin B₁ group significantly higher than those in 4.29 mg/kg group, accompanied by the lower serum glucose content in the same group (p < .05). Significantly higher values of whole‐body protein, serum total protein, relative intestinal length, fold height, intestinal trypsin, amylase, alkaline phosphatase, Na+/K+‐ATPase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, creatine kinase, muscular layer thickness and intestosomatic index were observed in 7.86 mg/kg vitamin B₁ group compared with those in 4.29 mg/kg group (p < .05). These results suggested that diets supplemented with vitamin B₁ improved growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal digestive and absorption capacity of juvenile yellow catfish. The optimal dietary vitamin B₁ requirements estimated using a two‐slope broken‐line model based on WG and PER of yellow catfish were 7.42 and 6.01 mg/kg, respectively.     

Dietary lysine requirement of juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine dietary lysine requirement of juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis (initial body weight: 0.60 g). Six isonitrogenous (crude protein, 400 g/kg) and isolipidic (crude lipid, 50 g/kg) diets were formulated to contain graded levels of dietary lysine (12.8, 19.9, 26.5, 34.0, 40.8 and 44.1 g/kg dry diets, respectively). The results indicated that weight gain, specific growth rate, productive protein value and protein efficiency ratio increased, while feed conversion ratio decreased with increasing dietary lysine level up to 34.0 g/kg dry diet and then levelled off. Fish fed diet with 12.8 g/kg lysine had the lowest lysine content (58.6 g/kg dry matter) in muscle, while fish fed diet with 34.0 g/kg lysine had the highest value (61.6 g/kg dry matter; p < .05). Broken‐line analysis on the basis of weight gain showed that the optimal dietary lysine requirement for maximum growth of juvenile Pseudobagras ussuriensis is 33.5 g/kg dry diet (82.4 g/kg dietary protein). Quadratic regression analysis of protein efficiency ratio against dietary lysine levels indicated that the optimal dietary lysine requirement of juvenile Pseudobagras ussuriensis is 36.4 g/kg dry diet (89.5 g/kg dietary protein).     

Suitable dietary chitosan improves the growth performance,survival and immune function of tiger shrimp,Penaeus monodon

Different levels of dietary chitosan on growth performance, survival and stress tolerance to air exposure was studied in tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Shrimp (mean initial wet weight about 1.16 g) were fed with six different diets (C0, C0.05, C0.1, C0.2, C0.3 and C0.4) containing six level of chitosan (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% respectively) in triplicate for 60 days. Growth performance [final body wet weight (FBW); weight gain (WG); biomass gain (BG)] of shrimp fed chitosan‐containing diets were higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed the basal diet, shrimp fed C0.1 diet showed the highest value of growth performance. Survival of shrimp in C0.1 and C0.2 diet groups were higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp in C0, C0.05 and C0.4 diet groups but without statistical difference (P > 0.05) in shrimp fed C0.3 diet group. Whole body and muscle lipid contents decreased with increasing dietary chitosan levels. Plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of shrimp fed C0 diet was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed chitosan‐containing diets. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities of shrimp fed C0 diet were higher than those of shrimp fed chitosan‐containing diets. Digestive gland malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein contents of shrimp fed chitosan‐containing diets were lower (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed C0 diet. Total haemocyte count of shrimp fed C0 diet was lower (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed chitosan‐containing diets. On the contrary, the haemolymph clotting time of shrimp fed C0 diet was higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed chitosan‐containing diets. In conclusion, all results suggested that dietary intake containing 0.1% and 0.2% chitosan enhanced the growth of shrimp, whereas a higher level than 0.3% and 0.4% decreased growth of shrimp. Second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of WG and BG indicated that the optimum supplement of dietary chitosan level should be 0.19–0.21%.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C on growth performance,body composition and biochemical parameters of juvenile Chu's croaker (Nibea coibor)

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for normal physiological and immune functions of fish. However, its requirements and effects in Chu's croaker (Nibea coibor) are currently unknown. A 56‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements based on its effects on growth performance, body composition and biochemical parameters in juvenile Chu's croaker (14.17 ± 0.1 g). Six isoproteic (450 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (100 g/kg crude lipid) diets were formulated to contain 2.24 (basal diet), 39.03, 85.01, 171.16, 356.49 and 715.46 mg/kg of vitamin C. The results showed that fish fed on 171.16 mg/kg vitamin C diet had the highest growth performance and feed utilization. Fish fed on the basal diet had higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content and lower activities of antioxidant enzymes in the serum and liver as compared with those fed on vitamin C diets. Polynomial analysis indicated that the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements of juvenile Chu's croaker were 102.28, 98.21, 150.26, 165.38, 71.46, 176.19, 84.84 and 103.78 mg/kg based on weight gain, specific growth rate, liver storage, muscle storage, liver MDA content, liver alanine aminotransferase activity, liver alkaline phosphatase activity and liver superoxide dismutase activity, respectively. We recommend an inclusion level in the range of 71.46–150.26 mg/kg vitamin C in the diets of juvenile Chu's croaker for optimum growth performance, liver function, antioxidant capacity and innate immunity functions.