Evaluation of some intestinal cytokines genes expression and serum innate immune parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed dietary loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaf extract

The aim of this study was to illustrate the effects of dietary loquat leaf extract (LLE) on the expression of some intestinal cytokines as well as serum innate immune parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings. The fish were fed with experimental diets supplemented with 0 (control), 0.25% (0.25LLE), 0.5% (0.5LLE) and 1% (1LLE) LLE over a 7‐week period. At the end of the trial, the serum lysozyme (Lys) activity, ACH50, total Ig as well as the expression of IL1B, IL8, TNF‐alpha, LYZ and TGF‐β in intestine were evaluated. The results showed that administration of 0.5% or 1% LLE significantly increased serum total Ig. However, in case of serum Lys activity significant elevation was observed just in fish fed 0.5% LLE. Also, supplementation of diet with LLE significantly increased ACH50 compared to the control group, regardless of inclusion levels. Gene expression studies revealed upregulation of TNF‐alpha, IL1B, IL8 and LYZ in intestine of fish fed LLE. However, the effects varied dependent on LLE levels and the tested immune related gene. Also, in case of TGF‐β significant downregulation was observed just in 1% LLE treatment. In conclusion, dietary LLE supplementation significantly upregulated immune related genes in intestine and improves innate immune responses. Altogether, LLE can be recommended as fish immunostimulant in early stage of carp culture.     

Effect of dietary eucalyptol on stress markers,enzyme activities and immune indicators in serum and haematological characteristics of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to toxic concentration of ambient copper

In the present study, protective effects of dietary eucalyptol were investigated against copper toxicity in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The fish were fed with diets supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5% and 1% eucalyptol for 14 days before exposure to 0.25 mg/L ambient copper for 7 days. Blood samples were taken from the fish before and 1, 3 and 7 days after copper challenge. Before copper challenge, eucalyptol significantly decrease serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, but increase blood WBC, RBC, hematocrit and haemoglobin, serum lysozyme, total immunoglobulin (Ig) compared with the control. Copper exposure led to stress, tissue damage and immunosuppression. After the copper challenge, significant elevation in serum cortisol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and AST, but decrease in blood RBC and WBC, and serum lysozyme, complement (ACH50) and total immunoglobulin (Ig) was observed. Eucalyptol administration significantly mitigated the increase in serum cortisol, glucose, ALT and AST, and decrease in WBC, ACH50, lysozyme and total Ig. Dietary 1% eucalyptol had significantly higher protective effects than 0.5% in the case of serum AST, lysozyme, total Ig and ACH50. In conclusion, eucalyptol has beneficial health effects on common carp and enables to mitigate copper‐induced stress, tissue damage, and immunosuppression. Eucalyptol at the dietary 1% level is recommended to protect common carp against adverse effects of copper toxicity.     

Comparative study on immunomodulatory and growth enhancing effects of three prebiotics (galactooligosaccharide,fructooligosaccharide and inulin) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study investigated the effects of different prebiotics, including galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin (INL), on skin mucosal immune parameters, humoral immune responses as well as performance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Two hundred and forty specimens (13.85 ± 0.85 g) were stocked in 12 fibreglass tanks assigned into three treatments and a control group. The experimental diets were formulated to have equal level (2%) of the prebiotics. At the end of the feeding trial, the highest skin mucus lysozyme activities and total immunoglobulin (total Ig) were observed in GOS‐fed group (P < 0.05). However, skin mucus protease activity showed no significant difference among different dietary groups (P < 0.05). Blood respiratory burst activity was significantly increased in all prebiotic‐fed fish compared to the control group (P < 0.05); the highest activity was observed in GOS treatment. Furthermore, evaluation of humoral immune response revealed that feeding with GOS‐supplemented diet significantly increased lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activity as well as total Ig compared to the control and other prebiotic groups. While no significant difference was observed between FOS and INL groups, common carps fed GOS‐supplemented displayed improved (P < 0.05) growth performance, including final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), compared to the control treatment. These results revealed that different prebiotics modulate carp growth and immune response in different manner, and GOS seems to be the most suitable prebiotic.     

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

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

Dietary Moringa oleferia leaf meal induce growth,innate immunity and cytokine expression in grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

The present research was designed to investigate the growth promoting and immunostimulating properties of Moringa oleferia leaf meal (MLM) in grass carp. Juvenile grass carp (22.03 g ± 1.164) were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg MLM for 48 days. At the end of feeding trial, skin mucus was used for analysis of lysozyme, protease, antiprotease and peroxidase activity. Head kidney was used for expression analysis of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐8 and interferon‐γ. The obtained results showed that fish fed with 100 and 150 g/kg MLM had significant increase in weight gain and specific growth rate (p < .05). However, condition factor was not altered. The MLM (50 and 100 g/kg) inclusion resulted in higher mucus lysozyme and protease activity (p < .05), while peroxidase activity increased only in fish fed with 100 g/kg MLM and antiprotease activity was not altered. Expression of tnf‐α increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and significant (p < .05) increase was recorded in fish fed with 150 g/kg MLM. The expression of il‐8 and ifn‐γ increased in fish fed with 50 and 150 g/kg MLM; however, the increase was not significant (p > .05). In conclusion, supplementing juvenile grass carp feed with MLM up to 150 g/kg has growth promoting and immunostimulating effects.     

Effect of dietary lipid on growth,body composition,serum biochemistry and hepatic metabolite alteration in Chinese rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fingerlings

Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing dietary lipid concentrations from 71.90 to 142.70 g/kg were formulated and fed to Chinese rice field eel Monopterus albus fingerlings (5.00 ± 0.50 g). The highest values of weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), together with the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) were found in fish fed with 89.10 g/kg lipid diet. Fish fed with 71.90 g/kg diet (F1) had higher hepatosomatic index, viscerosomatic index and whole‐body crude lipid than fish in the other four treatments (p < .05). Plasma concentration of triacylglycerol and the activity of alanine aminotransferase were also higher in fish fed with F1 diet. Whole‐body fatty acid profile varied exclusively, but with a stable value of n?3/n?6 ratio. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics identified eighteen differential metabolites (including idose, alanine, glutamic acid, serine and hypotaurine) in liver affected by dietary lipid content using PLS‐DA analysis. The subsequent pathway enrichment revealed ten affected pathways, with the top three pathways being glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; starch and sucrose metabolism; and D‐glutamine and D‐glutamate metabolism. The broken‐line model of SGR suggested that a dietary lipid concentration of 83.50 g/kg was appropriate for M. albus fingerlings.     

Dietary 1,8‐cinoele affects serum enzymatic activities and immunological characteristics in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to ambient ammonia

The present study aimed to investigate effects of dietary 1,8‐cineole (cineole) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) health under ammonia toxicity. The fish were fed with four diets supplemented by 0 (control), 0.1 (0.1C), 0.5 (0.5C), and 1 (1C) percent cineole for 2 weeks, before a 24‐hr ammonia exposure. Blood samples were taken before and after ammonia exposure. The results showed that ammonia exposure significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum urea levels, and decreased serum alternative complement (ACH50) activity and serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels. Cineole significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum ACH50 activity (0.1% and 0.5% levels) and total Ig levels (0.5% levels). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels among the treatments. Before ammonia exposure, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and lysozyme activities among the cineole treatments. The treatment 0.5C had the lowest lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities before ammonia exposure. After ammonia exposure, serum LDH and ALT activities increased in all treatments, but the treatment 0.5C had the lowest activities. Serum ALP activities increased after the ammonia exposure in the control and 1C groups. Serum AST and lysozyme activities increased after the challenge in all groups except for the 0.5C group. Overall, the results suggest that ammonia exposure causes increase in serum LDH, ALP, AST, and ALT activities and decreased immune responses, which are indicator of tissue damage and immunosuppression. 0.5% cineole is capable to suppress adverse effects of ammonia intoxication in carp.     

Effect of guava Psidium guajava (L.) aqueous extract diet on growth performance,intestinal morphology,immune response and survival of Oreochromis niloticus challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

An 84‐day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of aqueous Psidium guajava leaf extract (PGE) on growth, intestinal morphology, physiology, immune response and susceptibility of Oreochromis niloticus to Aeromonas hydrophila. Diets containing 0% (P0), 0.25% (P1), 0.50% (P2), 0.75% (P3) and 1.00% (P4) PGE were fed to triplicate groups of fish (mean weight; 1.32 ± 0.04 g) for 84 days. After the 84‐day feeding trial, test fish were injected with pathogenic A. hydrophila and then fed for 14 days. More feed were consumed in groups of fish fed PGE‐treated diets and resulted in significantly higher weight gain and feed intake. Incidentally, there was an increase in the calculated area of absorption of fish fed PGE diets, as accounted for by marginally higher villi length and width. Antioxidant and immune response were improved with PGE inclusion in diets as total protein, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S‐transferase significantly increased (p < 0.05) in fish fed PGE diets. Results of the challenge test with A. hydrophila revealed that the highest mortality (100%) was recorded in P0. This study revealed that inclusion of P. guajava extract in the diet of O. niloticus improved growth, nutrient utilization, immune system and survival of O. niloticus fingerlings.     

Effects of fasting on metabolic and immunological responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to a further acute stress

Common carp were fasted for 0, 3 and 14 days prior to exposure to a 2‐hr crowding stress. Serum cortisol, glucose, lactate, _{T4, T3}, serum alternative complement (ACH50), lysozyme, total immunoglobulin (Ig) and blood WBC were determined before and 0, 6 and 24 hr after the crowding stress. Three days of fasting led to a significant decrease in serum levels of lactate and thyroid hormones. Fourteen days of fasting led to initiation of physiological process to maintain serum glucose by increase in serum cortisol level and lactate utilization. These fish had lower levels of thyroid hormones suggesting suppression of basal metabolism. The fish also had lower WBC and serum lysozyme and total Ig levels indicating immunosuppression. After the crowding stress, the fish fasted for 3 days had significantly lower lactate, thyroid hormones and total Ig levels. The fish fasted for 14 days had higher cortisol but lower glucose and thyroid hormones levels suggesting impairment in metabolic responses to the crowding stress. Immunological and health indicators including WBC, and ACH50, lysozyme and total Ig of these fish were significantly lower than the other groups after the crowding stress. Overall, the results show that a 14‐day fasting leads to stress responses, reduction in metabolism and immunosuppression. Moreover, 14 days of fasting lead to greater cortisol response to a further crowding stress, which induces marked immunosuppression and fallen welfare.     

Effect of tributyrin supplementation in high‐soya bean meal diet on growth performance,body composition,intestine morphology and microbiota of juvenile yellow drum (Nibea albiflora)

Six equal‐protein and equal‐lipid diets were formulated: the fish meal (FM) diet, the soya bean meal (SBM) diet with 40% of FM protein replaced by SBM protein and tributyrin (TB) diets with 0.05% (TB0.05), 0.10% (TB0.1), 0.20% (TB0.2) and 0.40% (TB0.4) tributyrin supplemented in the SBM‐based diet. Each kind of diet was randomly fed to triplicate tanks with 20 fish per tank. Fish were fed apparent satiation twice daily for 56 days. No significant difference in weight gain rate (WGR) and feed efficiency rate (FER) was observed between fish fed the FM, TB0.1 and TB0.2 diets (p > .05). Muscle histidine and arginine proportion of fish fed TB0.1 diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed the SBM diet (p < .05). Intestine morphology results indicated that the supplementation of 0.1% tributyrin significantly improved the mucosal fold height, microvilli length and microvilli density when compared with those of fish fed the SBM diet (p < .05). The supplementation of dietary tributyrin suppressed the pro‐inflammatory gene expression, which may be due to the improvement of physical barrier and modification of microbial communities, such as Acinetobacter, Rhodocyclaceae, Brevundimonas, Sphingopyxis, Hydrogenophaga, Methyloversatilis and Devosia. In conclusion, dietary 0.1% tributyrin supplementation in high‐soya bean meal diet improved growth performance, flesh quality and intestinal morphology structure integrity of yellow drum.     

Weaning methods using formulated feeds for snakehead (Channa striata and Channa micropeltes) larvae

The culture of snakehead fish (Channa striata and Channa micropeltes) in Vietnam is limited, and snakehead culture has been banned in Cambodia, because traditional practices include capture of fingerlings from the wild as seed, as well as capture of small‐size (also known as trash fish or low‐value) fish. As hatchery breeding technology has improved, we investigated the optimal weaning practices for these two species. Both laboratory experiments and farm trials were conducted. For C. striata, the optimal weaning procedure is to begin at 17 days after hatch (dah) and wean the fish at 10% replacement of live feed with formulated feed per day. However, for C. micropeltes, the optimal procedure is to wait until 40 dah to begin weaning and then to wean the fish with a 10% replacement of live feed with formulated feed every 3 days. These results should enable farmers to domesticate snakehead culture in Vietnam and Cambodia and eliminate reliance on fish captured from the wild as both seed and feed.     

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on gonadal development and vitellogenin mRNA expression in the female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens) at first maturation

The effect of increasing levels of dietary de‐oiled soybean lecithin (SL) on the ovarian development of female redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, was investigated. Five practical formulated diets were supplemented with 0% (Diet 1), 1% (Diet 2), 2% (Diet 3), 4% (Diet 4) and 6% (Diet 5) SL. Crayfish (initial weight: 25.64 ± 1.53 g) were fed each diet in four replicates for 8 weeks. Crayfish that were fed diets containing ≥2% SL had a significantly higher gonadosomatic index than those fed with Diets 1 and 2 (P < 0.05), while hepatosomatic index showed a decreasing trend (P > 0.05). The fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas is largely due to the dietary composition. Higher dietary SL yielded a higher percentage of ovarian polyunsaturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the higher content of linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid in diets may be more important for ovarian development in C. quadricarinatus, as these originate from the hepatopancreas. The hepatopancreatic vitellogenin mRNA expression was the highest in crayfish that received Diet 3. Our results suggest that dietary SL has a positive effect on ovarian development in C. quadricarinatus broodstock, and at least 2% SL should be supplemented in broodstock diets to enhance ovarian maturation during aquaculture.     

Influence of dietary phosphorus on mineralization and morphology of Indian major carp,catla (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Catla catla</Emphasis>) fingerlings

The present study was conducted to investigate the changes in mineralization and morphology in response to graded levels of dietary phosphorus in Indian major carp, Catla (Catla catla) fingerlings (av. wt. 4.23 ± 0.87 g). The experimental system constituted of 24 150-L capacity plastic tanks (eight treatments, three replicates) stocked with 20 fingerlings each. Eight isonitrogenous and isocaloric semi-purified diets (crude protein 35%, crude lipid 8.5%) were formulated with graded levels of phosphorus (0%-control; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.7; 0.9; 1.1; 1.3; 1.5%) using KH₂PO₄. The fish were fed twice daily with the respective feeds for a period of 120 days. The percentage of ash content in whole body, vertebrae and opercular bones was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower in fish fed low levels of dietary phosphorus (T₁, T₂) in comparison with other treatments. The concentration of phosphorus and calcium was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower in whole body, vertebrae and opercula of fish fed low phosphorus diets (T₁, T₂) relative to treatments with higher levels of dietary phosphorus supplementation. The concentration of magnesium in opercular and vertebral tissues of T₁ group was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than all other groups. The X-ray radiographs did not reveal any skeletal deformities in any of the treatments. Truss analysis showed absence of significant morphological variations between fish of different treatments. The deficiency of dietary phosphorus in catla led to significantly lower mineralization of whole body and bone tissues, but the deficiency was not severe enough to cause skeletal deformities and morphological changes in the fish.     

Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide on growth,body composition,haematology and biochemical parameters of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

A feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on growth, body composition, haematology, biochemical parameters and histology of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) fingerlings (8.13 ± 0.06 g average weight). Mannan oligosaccharide was supplemented at five different concentrations viz., 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% levels in the diet (40% protein and 9% lipid) of L. calcarifer. The results of the 60 days feeding trial showed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the final body weight, weight gain (WG), WG%, average daily gain, survival, specific growth rate, daily growth coefficient, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index in the fish fed diet containing 1% MOS. Whole body composition of post‐fed animals showed non‐significant differences (P > 0.05) among the various treatment groups. The analysis of haematological parameters showed that there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences among different treatments but for the haemoglobin content which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fish fed 1% MOS. Biochemical parameters revealed that glucose, urea, cholesterol and triglyceride content showed significant (P < 0.05) difference between control and MOS‐supplemented group. Histological observations of post‐fed animals revealed that MOS supplementation resulted in increased absorptive surface area of the intestine and increased glycogen deposition in liver. The result of this experiment infers that MOS supplementation has got a beneficial effect in the diet of seabass and supplementation at 1% level is optimal for improving the growth.     

Effects of dietary turmeric administration on stress,immune, antioxidant and inflammatory responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during copper exposure

The present study assessed the effects of dietary turmeric on Cyprinus carpio resistance and responses to copper exposure. First, the fish were assigned to four treatments received diets supplemented with 0 (control), 5, 10 and 20 g/kg turmeric for 3 weeks. Thereafter, the fish were exposed to lethal concentration (3.5 mg/L) of ambient copper for 24 hr and mortality was 65.3%, 41.8%, 22.7% and 20.6%, respectively. In the second experiment, the fish were fed with the aforementioned diets and simultaneously exposed to sub‐lethal concentration (0.25 mg/L) of ambient copper for 3 weeks. Copper exposure led to increases in plasma cortisol, glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), and decrease in plasma T₄, T₃, lysozyme, alternative complement haemolytic (ACH50), bactericidal activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and blood red blood cell count (RBC) and haemoglobin. Moreover, copper exposure led to significant upregulation of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐a) and interleukin 1‐beta (IL1‐b), and significant downregulation of interleukin 10 (IL10) gene expressions in the fish liver. Turmeric administration at 10 g/kg significantly mitigated/inhibited the copper‐induced negative effects, which seems to be due to the augmenting of the antioxidant defence.     

Evaluation of the optimum dietary protein level for the maximum growth of juvenile beluga (Huso huso L.1758)

A 10‐week feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary protein level for the maximum growth of juvenile beluga, Huso huso. Fish averaging 1.34 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) was randomly distributed into 18 circular fibreglass tanks of 500 L capacity (20 fish per tank). Six iso‐caloric diets were formulated to contain 30 (CP₃₀), 35 (CP₃₅), 40 (CP₄₀), 45 (CP₄₅), 50 (CP₅₀) and 55% (CP₅₅) crude protein (CP). Fish were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of feeding trial, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed CP₄₀ and CP₄₅ diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed CP₃₀, CP₃₅, CP₅₀ and CP₅₅ diets (P < 0.05). Lipid retention increased significantly from 24.7% to 31.6%, but protein retention decreased from 54.6% to 35.6% with increasing protein levels from 30% to 50%. Muscle total essential and non‐essential amino acid (EAA & NEAA) concentrations increased with the dietary protein level up to CP₄₅ diets. Muscle total EAA concentrations (%) of fish fed CP₄₅ were significantly higher than those of fish fed CP₃₀, CP₃₅, CP₅₀ and CP₅₅, but there was no significantly different between those of fish fed CP₄₀ and CP₄₅. Muscle total NEAA concentration (%) of fish fed CP₄₅ were significantly higher than those of fish fed CP₃₀ and CP₃₅ diets. Broken‐line analysis of WG suggested that the optimum dietary protein level could be 38.9% for maximum growth performance in juvenile beluga (1.3–77 g).     

Assessing the feasibility of using pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil,rich in conjugated linolenic acid,as a lipid source in the diet of common carp,Cyprinus carpio,juveniles

In this study, the feasibility of using pomegranate seed oil, rich in conjugated linolenic acid and its partial replacement for fish oil in fish diet were investigated. Common carp, Cyprinus carpio, juveniles (1.8 ± 0.1 g) were fed four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with similar basal composition but different oil mixture containing 100% fish oil (A), 50% fish oil +50% sunflower oil (B), 50% fish oil +25% sunflower oil +25% pomegranate seed oil (C) and 50% fish oil +50% pomegranate seed oil (D) for 8 weeks. The highest weight gain was observed in fish fed diet D (p < 0.05). Test diets had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents of fish muscle. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3; DHA) was significantly lower in the muscle of fish fed diet B (p < 0.05) compared to those fed diet A. However, there was no significant difference in the muscle DHA content of fish fed diets A, C, or D. No specific hepatocyte damage associated to dietary pomegranate seed oil was found in this study. This study showed a 50‐50 combination of fish oil and pomegranate seed oil could be used as dietary lipid source for common carp without any adverse effect on growth performance or muscle n‐3 content while accumulated punicic acid in the muscle could be considered as added value for the final human consumer.     

Dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii♀ × Acipenser baerii♂)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of dietary arginine ranging from 1.74% to 3.54% (dry weight). The results indicated that the fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.24% arginine diets (p < .05), and the fish fed the 2.64% arginine diet presented the highest SGR. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower whole‐body crude protein content than the fish fed the 2.64% or 2.93% arginine diets (p < .05). Compared with the 1.76% arginine diet, 2.36% to 2.93% arginine diets significantly increased the total amino acid (TAA) concentration and total nonessential amino acid (TNEAA) of carcasses. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower activity of nitric oxide synthase (T‐NOS) and content of nitric oxide (NO) than the fish fed the 2.05% to 2.93% arginine diets in the liver. The fish fed with 1.76%, 2.05% or 2.36% arginine diets had lower gene expression of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) in the liver than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.53% arginine diets in the liver (p < .05). A broken‐line analysis between SGR against the dietary arginine levels provided estimates for the optimal dietary arginine requirement of 2.47% corresponding to 6.18% of the dietary protein on a dry weight basis.