木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼部分非特异性免疫指标及生长的影响

尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)初始体质量为(106.16±16.77)g,以小麦基础饲料为对照,基础饲料中分别添加不同水平的木聚糖酶(0.05%、0.10%、0.15%)作为实验饲料.每个处理设5个重复,每个重复放养40尾雄性罗非鱼.采用饱食方式饲喂75 d后测定罗非鱼白细胞吞噬率(PP)、吞噬指数(PI),血清、肝胰脏和鳃的溶菌酶(LSZ)活力超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和尼罗罗非鱼体质量.结果表明,木聚糖酶0.05%组、0.10%组、0.15%组的PP值极显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),PI值与对照组无显著差异(P＞0.05);0.05%组、0.10%组、0.15%组的血清LSZ活力较对照组分别提高13.85%、23.62%和17.23%(P＜0.01).0.10%组肝胰脏的LSZ活力为0.379 U/mL,极显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),0.15%组肝胰脏LSZ活力显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).0.05%组、0.10%组、0.15%组鳃LSZ活力均极显著高于对照组(P＜0.01);添加木聚糖酶对血清和肝胰脏的SOD活力无显著影响(P＞0.05),但0.10%组鳃SOD活力显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);0.05%组和0.10%组的增重率较对照组分别提高8.29%和17.45%(P＜0.01),0.15%组的增重率与对照组相比无统计学差异(P＞0.05).结论认为,在尼罗罗非鱼小麦基础饲料中适量添加木聚糖酶可以提高其非特异性免疫功能,促进其生长.     

复方中草药对尼罗罗非鱼非特异性免疫功能的影响

研究了在饲料中添加一种以鱼腥草为主要成分(占40%)的复方中草药制剂对尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)非特异性免疫指标的影响。将鱼腥草、黄芩、板蓝根、连翘、金银花等10种中草药按一定比例充分粉碎后混匀制成以鱼腥草为主要成分的复方中草药制剂,按质量分数0%(对照组)、1%(A组)、3%(B组)和6%(C组)分别添加到基础饲料中饲喂尼罗罗非鱼,饲养12周。分别在第4、8和12周采集各组尼罗罗非鱼血液,测定相关非特异性免疫指标。结果显示:从第8周开始,B组尼罗罗非鱼血清丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低,C组尼罗罗非鱼血清溶菌酶(LSZ)活力、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、一氧化氮(NO)含量显著提高,MDA含量显著降低。在第12周,B组和C组尼罗罗非鱼白细胞吞噬百分比、吞噬指数和血细胞呼吸爆发活力、血清SOD活力、LSZ活力、NO含量都显著提高,MDA含量则显著降低。结果表明:在饲料中添加3%和6%质量分数的以鱼腥草为主要成分的复方中草药制剂均能增强尼罗罗非鱼的非特异性免疫力,其中以添加比例为6%的效果最好。     

木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼钠葡萄糖共转运载体（SGLT1）mRNA表达的影响

以尼罗罗非鱼[体重(106.16±16.77)g]为实验对象,小麦基础饲料为对照,小麦基础饲料中分别添加不同水平的木聚糖酶(0.05%、0.10%、0.15%)作为试验饲料。每个处理设5个重复,每个重复放养40尾雄性尼罗罗非鱼,旨在研究木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼前肠和中肠钠葡萄糖共转运载体(SGLT_1)mRNA表达的影响,从分子水平揭示木聚糖酶促进尼罗罗非鱼生长的机理。饱食投喂,饲养75 d后,每饲料组分别取10尾鱼,尾静脉取血制备血清,测定血糖含量;采用离心柱型总RNA提取试剂金提取前肠和中肠总RNA,通过RT-PCR对前肠和中肠SGLT_1mRNA的表达进行相对定量。结果表明,0.05%组、0.10%组和0.15%组前肠SGLT_1 mRNA的相对表达量分别比对照组提高19.28%(P<0.05)、42.17%(P<0.01)和16.87% (P<0.05);对照组尼罗罗非鱼在摄食后2 h血糖仅为5.56 mmol·L~(-1),0.10%组极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);0.05%组和0.10%组的增重率较对照组分别提高8.29%、17.45%(P<0.01),0.15%组的增重率与对照组相比没有统计学差异(P>0.05)。研究结果表明,在小麦基础饲料中适量添加木聚糖酶能显著上调前肠SGLT_1mRNA的表达,促进葡萄糖吸收,从而提高尼罗罗非鱼的生长速度。     

小麦基础饲料添加木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼肠道食糜粘度和绒毛、微绒毛发育的影响

小麦基础饲料添加木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼肠道食糜粘度和绒毛、微绒毛发育的影响=The influences of xylanase added in wheat basal diet on intestine chyme viscosity and the development of villi and microvilli of Tilapia nilotica［刊，中］/聂国兴(河南师范大学生命科学学院，新乡453007),王俊丽,朱命炜,周洪琪//水产学报，—2007，31(1).-54～61 以尼罗罗非鱼［体重(106.16±16.77)g］为实验对象，小麦基础饲料为对照，小麦基础饲料中分别添加不同水平的木聚糖酶（0.05%、0.10%、0.15%）作为试验饲料。每个处理设5个重复，每个重复放养40尾雄性尼罗罗非鱼。饱食投喂，饲养75 d后测定尼罗罗非鱼肠道食糜粘度以及前、中、后肠的肠绒毛显微与超微结构。结果表明，对照组与0.05%、0.10%、0.15%木聚糖酶试验组的肠道食糜粘度分别为(15.21±0.29) cps、(13.75±0.45) cps、(12.23±0.16) cps和(11.92±0.22) cps，试验组的肠道食糜粘度极显著低于对照组（P<0.01）。随着木聚糖酶添加量的增加，试验组尼罗罗非鱼前、中、后肠绒毛表面的粘附性颗粒数量较对照组明显减少，颗粒直径减小；试验组前、中、后肠微绒毛的密度和高度均得到不同程度的改善。0.10%木聚糖酶试验组前、中、后肠绒毛高度、宽度、密度均极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）。图3表2参17 关键词：小麦基础饲料； 木聚糖酶； 尼罗罗非鱼； 食糜粘度； 肠绒毛     

耐高温酶制剂对奥尼罗非鱼生长和消化酶活性的影响

在初始体质量(64.35±1.75) g 的奥尼罗非鱼基础饲料中分别添加0、0.05%、0.10%、0.15%的耐高温酶制剂饲喂56 d,探讨耐高温酶制剂对奥尼罗非鱼生长以及消化酶活性的影响.试验结果表明,饲料中添加耐高温酶制剂能促进奥尼罗非鱼的生长,提高质量增长率,降低饵料系数,提高奥尼罗非鱼消化酶活性.当耐高温酶制剂添加量为0.10%时,奥尼罗非鱼的质量增长率、前肠蛋白酶活性和淀粉酶活性以及肝胰脏淀粉酶活性最高,饵料系数最小,与对照组相比差异显著(P＜0.05).     

饲料中添加木聚糖酶对尼罗罗非鱼生长及血清激素水平的影响

以尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)为实验对象,初始体质量为(106.16±16.77)g,以小麦基础饲料为对照,小麦基础饲料中分别添加不同质量百分比水平的木聚糖酶(0.05%、0.10%、0.15%)作为实验饲料。每个处理设5个重复,每个重复放养40尾雄性罗非鱼。采用饱食方式饲喂75 d后测定罗非鱼体质量、血清胃泌素(Gas)、三碘甲腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、胰岛素(Ins)、胰高血糖素(Glu)和类胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)的含量。结果表明:0.05%和0.10%木聚糖酶添加组的增重率较对照组分别提高8.29%、17.45%(P<0.01),0.15%组的增重率与对照组相比没有统计学差异(P>0.05)。0.05%组、0.10%组、0.15%组的血清Gas水平分别比对照组提高22.55%(P>0.05)、88.46%(P<0.01)和167.84%(P<0.01);0.10%组和0.15%组血清中T3水平极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),0.05%组T3水平与对照组无显著差异,0.05%组、0.10%组和0.15%组的血清T4水平分别比对照组提高42.36%、65.66%和68.58%(P<0.01);0.05%组、0.10%组和0.15%组的血清Ins水平有极显著差异(P<0.01),并分别比对照组提高54.95%、73.42%和36.04%(P<0.01),其Ins水平从大到小依次为:0.10%组、0.05%组、0.15%组;0.05%组、0.10%组、0.15%组的血清Glu含量分别比对照组降低11.59%、17.15%和13.31%(P<0.01),0.10%组的血清Glu水平极显著低于0.05%组和0.15%组(P<0.01);0.05%组、0.10%组、0.15%组的血清IGF-I水平分别比对照组提高75.57%、102.46%、39.96%(P<0.01)。因此,本研究认为,在小麦基础饲料中适量添加木聚糖酶可以调控尼罗罗非鱼内分泌系统,调节血清激素水平,促进尼罗罗非鱼生长。     

中草药复合微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力的影响

通过在饲料中分别添加2×107 CFU/g的芽孢杆菌制剂、中草药芽孢杆菌制剂、复合微生态制剂和中草药复合微生态制剂,研究4种微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力等的影响。结果显示：(1)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂均可显著提高罗非鱼的增重率(P<0.05),对成活率和饲料利用率也有一定程度的提高(P>0.05),而中草药复合微生态制剂对罗非鱼促进生长效果最佳。(2)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂可以显著提高罗非鱼肠道中的细菌总数、芽孢杆菌、乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数量(P<0.05),大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),说明饲料中添加一定量的4种微生态制均可改善罗非鱼的肠道菌群结构,以中草药复合微生态制剂的改善效果最佳。(3)经人工感染无乳链球菌后,罗非鱼对照组全部死亡,4个实验组只有部分死亡。鉴定发现,吉富罗非鱼的死亡均由感染无乳链球菌所致,试验组罗非鱼的免疫保护率分别为51.42%(B组)、58.62%(C组)、58.62%(D组)和68.93%(E组),以中草药复合微生态制剂组的免疫保护率最高。综上所述,在饲料中添加一定比例的中草药复合微生态制剂可以提高吉富罗非鱼生长指标、改善其肠道菌群结构和增加抗病力。     

中草药复合微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力的影响

通过在饲料中分别添加2×10~7 CFU/g的芽孢杆菌制剂、中草药芽孢杆菌制剂、复合微生态制剂和中草药复合微生态制剂,研究4种微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力等的影响。结果显示:(1)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂均可显著提高罗非鱼的增重率(P0.05),对成活率和饲料利用率也有一定程度的提高(P0.05),而中草药复合微生态制剂对罗非鱼促进生长效果最佳。(2)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂可以显著提高罗非鱼肠道中的细菌总数、芽孢杆菌、乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数量(P0.05),大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P0.05),说明饲料中添加一定量的4种微生态制均可改善罗非鱼的肠道菌群结构,以中草药复合微生态制剂的改善效果最佳。(3)经人工感染无乳链球菌后,罗非鱼对照组全部死亡,4个实验组只有部分死亡。鉴定发现,吉富罗非鱼的死亡均由感染无乳链球菌所致,试验组罗非鱼的免疫保护率分别为51.42%(B组)、58.62%(C组)、58.62%(D组)和68.93%(E组),以中草药复合微生态制剂组的免疫保护率最高。综上所述,在饲料中添加一定比例的中草药复合微生态制剂可以提高吉富罗非鱼生长指标、改善其肠道菌群结构和增加抗病力。     

耐高温酶制剂对罗非鱼生长和肌肉营养成分的影响

在基础饲料中添加0.1%的耐高温酶制剂,饲养罗非鱼60 d,测定罗非鱼生长、消化率及肌肉营养成分含量(水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗灰分)。结果表明:添加耐高温酶制剂组与对照组相比,相对增重率提高了28.2%,饲料系数降低了0.34,表现出明显的促生长效果(P<0.05);添加耐高温酶制剂组还明显提高了饲料中营养物质的总消化率(P<0.01)和蛋白质消化率(P<0.01);但在肌肉营养成分方面,两组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。     

微生物和中草药联合制剂对罗非鱼生长和水质的影响

采用单因素试验方法,研究微生物和中草药联合制剂对罗非鱼生长的影响。实验分5组,鱼种规格为9.90±0.41 cm,分别投喂基础饲料添加6%的放置8个月的添加剂(A组)、基础饲料添加6%的现配现用的添加剂(B组)、基础饲料添加6%的已稀释到30%的现配现用的添加剂(C组)、基础饲料添加6%的其他公司同类产品(D组)和基础饲料(对照E组),室内饲养30 d。结果表明:联合制剂对罗非鱼的体重和体长的增长有显著影响(P<0.05),并且B组的体重增长率和体长增长率最高,比对照组分别升高119.03%、17.86%,且该组的饲料系数也是最低的,较对照组下降40%;各组的成活率无显著差异(P>0.05)。实验组的氨氮极显著地高于对照组(P<0.01),而亚硝酸氮极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。实验结果可见,联合制剂能显著促进罗非鱼幼鱼生长,提高饲料的利用,并且B组添加剂的效果最佳;此型联合制剂对氨氮无降低作用,但有较明显的降亚硝酸氮作用。     

叶下珠对罗非鱼肝损伤及免疫功能的影响

在罗非鱼Oreochromis niloticus基础饲料中添加叶下珠Phyllanthus urinaria水提物0.5%、1.0%和1.5%连续饲喂7 d,研究了叶下珠对罗非鱼肝损伤及免疫功能的影响,通过CuSO4.5H2O中毒造模、采血,检测鱼血清中的肝损伤指标(ALT、AST、ADA、LDH)和免疫指标(AKP、ACP、MPO、溶菌酶)。结果显示,各添加组的肝损伤指标、免疫指标与对照组相比,差异极显著(P0.01),而各添加组间的差异不显著(P0.05)。因此,在罗非鱼饲料中添加0.5%~1.5%的叶下珠可明显抑制罗非鱼肝损伤,增强罗非鱼的免疫性能。     

维生素E和硒对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)幼鱼生长及血清抗氧化酶活性的影响

本研究采用2×5双因子试验设计,即在基础饲料中分别添加0和0.15 mg/kg的Se,每一Se水平下分别添加0、30、60、90、120 mg/kg的维生素E(VE),共制成10种试验饲料,饲喂平均初始体质量为(0.37±0.01)g的吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)70 d,每组设3个重复,每个重复组50尾吉富罗非鱼,其中饲喂未添加Se和VE的基础饲料组为对照组。结果表明,(1)VE对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、摄食量和饲料系数均有显著影响(P0.05),就生长性能而言,单独添加VE的适宜范围是63.86–70.58 mg/kg。Se对吉富罗非鱼的增重率、特定生长率的影响不显著(P0.05),但在VE添加量为0 mg/kg的试验组中,硒的添加使吉富罗非鱼增重率高于对照组。VE和Se对吉富罗非鱼生长的交互作用没有显著影响(P0.05)。(2)VE对谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性有显著影响(P0.05),总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和CAT活性随VE添加量的增加呈上升趋势。而Se可显著影响T-SOD和GSH-PX的活性(P0.05),在VE添加量范围60–90 mg/kg时,加Se试验组的T-SOD、GSH-PX和CAT活性较不加Se组有所上升。VE和Se对GSH-PX活性的影响具有显著的交互作用(P0.05)。在本研究条件下,VE和Se对吉富罗非鱼的生长及抗氧化有一定促进作用,二者联合使用,没有协同促生长作用,但抗氧化作用得到进一步加强。     

不同饵料对奥尼罗非鱼仔稚鱼生长发育及消化酶活力的影响

将初始体质量为(0.006±0.0005)g的仔鱼,随机分为4组,每组3个平行,分别投喂4种饵料:人工配合饵料、轮虫、蛋黄和轮虫+人工配合饵料.试验周期为28 d.结果表明,(1)轮虫+人工配合饵料和人工配合饵料组生长较快,特定生长率分别为0.014 %/d和0.013 %/d, 绝对生长率达到0.150、0.142 g/d,二组差异不显著(P>0.05);蛋黄组生长最慢,与其他各组差异显著(P<0.05).(2)轮虫+人工配合饵料与轮虫组仔稚鱼的成活率达到90.3%和 89.7%,大部分个体发育进入幼鱼阶段,二组差异不显著(P>0.05);蛋黄组存活率较低,只有40.7%,与其他各组差异显著(P<0.05).(3)投喂不同饵料对奥尼罗非鱼仔稚鱼的消化酶具有显著影响,蛋黄组的淀粉酶和脂肪酶活力显著高于其他各组(P<0.05);轮虫+人工配合饵料组的胃蛋白酶活力较高,天然饵料(轮虫)组较低.     

Replacement of Fish Meal with Salicornia Meal in Feeds for Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract.— We investigated the use of the halophyte salicornia Sulicornia bigelovii as a replacement for fish meal in feeds containing 35% crude protein for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus . Five isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets were formulated with salicornia meal to replace 0%. 20%. 40%. 60%. and 80% of the fish meal in the feed. Another diet was formulated entirely from salicornia meal. Diets were fed to three replicate groups of tilapia fingerlings (mean initial weight = 0.5 g/fish) for 6 wk in 40-L aquaria supplied with 22 C well water. Tilapia growth did not differ ( P < 0.05) for fish fed diets in which 0%. 20%. or 40% of the fish meal in the diet was replaced with salicornia meal. Weight gain was reduced when fish were fed diets with higher levels of salicornia meal, and growth was slowest for fish fed diets formulated entirely from salicornia meal. Body fat was reduced and body moisture content was increased ( P < 0.05) for fish fed diets in which more than 80% of the fish meal was replaced with salicornia meal. We conclude that salicornia meal can replace up to 40% of the fish meal in O. niloticus feeds without affecting growth or body composition.     

Cascading effects of introduced Nile perch (Lates niloticus) on the foraging ecology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract –  Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus L.) is the dominant of the introduced tilapiines in many East African lakes and has flourished in the presence of introduced Nile perch ( Lates niloticus L.). We explored the hypothesis that O. niloticus exhibits increased omnivory in response to a decline in abundance of haplochromine cichlids. First, we quantified variation in habitat use and diet of O. niloticus in Lake Nabugabo, Uganda. Second, we compared the diet of O. niloticus in lakes with (Nabugabo, Victoria) and without (Mburo, Wamala, Nyamusingiri, Kyasanduka) introduced Nile perch. In Lake Nabugabo, a higher level of phytoplanktivory was observed in small juveniles than in larger fish and in wetland ecotone areas where haplochromines were most abundant. An omnivorous diet dominated by detritus and invertebrates was recorded for O. niloticus in lakes Nabugabo and Victoria, while a predominantly herbivorous diet was characteristic of O. niloticus in lakes without Nile perch. Availability of a broad food base in lakes where inshore insectivores have been reduced may explain the increased omnivory recorded in lakes Nabugabo and Victoria.     

The protective role of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) against chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress in Oreochromis niloticus

Ability of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to attenuate oxidative damage was evaluated in liver and brain tissues of Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) experimentally exposed to sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos (CPF). O. niloticus was exposed to sublethal concentrations of CPF at 12?μg/L (CPF1) and 24?μg/L (CPF2) for 96?h. The fish of vitamin C (Vit C) and CPF2?+?Vit C groups were fed with Vit C supplemented diet (200?mg Vit C/100?g feed). A significant increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level (P?相似文献   

Potential of the use of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) leaf meal as a partial replacement for fish meal in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

The rapid growth of tilapia culture has stimulated the expansion of tilapia feed production and a search for novel protein sources to replace fish meal. Vegetable or plant sources are promising alternatives and legumes are both naturally abundant and high in protein content. A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of replacing the protein from fish meal with peanut ( Arachis hypogaea ) leaf meal (PLM) in diets for male tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus , initial body weight 75.3 g). Four isonitrogenous (35% CP) and isocaloric (18.834 kJ g⁻¹) diets were prepared to include 0% (CON), 10% (PLM10), 20% (PLM20) and 30% (PLM30) of PLM protein. Average fish weights at the end of the 126-day experiment were not statistically different among the fish fed CON, PLM10 and PLM20 diets. The PLM30 diet produced the poorest growth performance. Organic matter and protein contents of fish were similar in the CON, PLM10 and PLM20 diets. Carcass chemical composition showed a decrease in body fat content as PLM replacement levels increased. The high survival ratio in all dietary groups (>97%) suggests that PLM can be used in O. niloticus feeds for long periods without affecting fish growth performance or health.     

Effect of Dietary Ginseng Herb (Ginsana® G115) Supplementation on Growth, Feed Utilization, and Hematological Indices of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), Fingerlings

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary ginseng herb (Ginsana^® G115) supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, and hematological indices of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fingerlings. A total of 378 Nile tilapia fingerlings with an average body weight of 24.4 ± 0.2 g were divided in the six experimental treatments (three replicates each). The experiment was conducted for 17 wk. Six isonitrogenous, 27.2% digestible protein and isocaloric, 12.3 MJ/kg digestible energy experimental diets were formulated. The control diet had no Ginsana G115 added. Diets 2–6 each contained Ginsana G115 at levels of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg, respectively. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of Nile tilapia were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in all treatments receiving Ginsana G115‐supplemented diets than the control diet. Red blood cells counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased with increasing dietary Ginsana G115 levels compared to those of the control diet. The same trend was observed for total plasma protein and total plasma globulin levels. The results of present study suggested that Nile tilapia fingerlings fed diets containing at least 200 mg/kg Ginsana G115 for 17 wk had enhanced growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and hematological indices.     

低聚木糖对斑点叉尾(鲴)生长及血液指标的影响

在平均体质量10.50 g的斑点叉尾(鲴)基础饲料中分别添加0、0.01％、0.05％、0.10％的低聚木糖,26℃饲喂50 d后,检测鱼体生长性能、肌肉营养成分及血液指标.试验结果表明,低聚木糖对血清中血肌酐含量和血液中红细胞数量、血红蛋白含量影响不显著(P＞0.05),但可显著降低血清中甘油三脂、总胆固醇、血糖、尿...     

Incorporating Date Pits Phoenix dactylifera and their Sprouts in Semi-purified Diets for Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

The expansion in date processing has produced a large quantity of date pits Phoenix dactylifera L.: var. ruzeiz that could be used in animal feeds. To evaluate the nutritional value of date pits and their sprouts, two growth trials were conducted using semi-purified diets and fingerling tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.). In the first trial, four isocaloric-isonitrogenous diets containing different levels (0, 15, 30, and 45%) of date pits as a replacement for corn starch were fed to three replicate groups of fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 3.09 ± 0.10 g/fish. At the conclusion of the 9-wk growth trial, final weight gain, feed conversion, specific growth rate and PER were significantly reduced in fish fed diets with all levels of date pits as compared to those fed the control diet (without date pits). However, there were no significant differences in these parameters for fish fed diets contained 15%, 30%, or 45% date pits. Body crude fat was gradually reduced as the level of date pits in the test diets was increased. Consequently, body moisture, crude protein and total ash were proportionally increased. In second trial, three isocaloric-isonitrogenous diets containing 0% date pits (control diet), 15% date pits sprouted for 15 d, and 15% date pits sprouted for 30 d were fed to triplicate groups of tilapia with mean initial weight 2.60 t 0.09 g/ fish) for 9 wk. Growth rates and body composition of fish fed diets containing date pits that were sprouted for 15 or 30 d were similar to that of those fed the control diet. Under the reported conditions the inclusion of sprouted date pits did not affect growth and body composition, whereas nonsprouted date pits negatively influenced fish performance.