Effects of Lactobacillus pentosus on the growth performance,digestive enzyme and disease resistance of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from digestive tract of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Eighteen LAB colonies were isolated and one bacterium was found capable of producing three extracellular enzymes (protease, cellulose and lipase) simultaneously and exhibited antagonistic activity against shrimp pathogens (Vibrio vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). The putative probiotic strain AS13 was identified as Lactobacillus pentosus based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The L. vannamei were fed diet containing 0 (control), 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ CFU g^?1 bacterial cells of AS13 for 28 days. The results showed that supplementation of L. pentosus significantly improved the growth performance and feed utilization in the treated groups over the control. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were elevated in the intestines of treated groups. Moreover, feeding of supplemented diets containing AS13 significantly reduced the mortality rate caused by pathogenic Vibrio species (V. vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). Our results indicated L. pentosus AS13 addition at 10⁷ CFU g^?1 can effectively enhance the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzymes and disease resistance of L. vannamei in the laboratory condition.     

Dietary administration of natural immunostimulants on growth performance,haematological, biochemical parameters and disease resistance of Asian Sea bass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790)

This study was aimed to address the promising evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis plant (stem) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS from bacteria) supplemented diets on innate immune response in Lates calcarifer fingerlings against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Fingerlings were fed supplemented diets containing four different concentrations of C. quadrangularis (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g kg^?1 feed), LPS (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg kg^?1 feed) and control (normal formulated diet) for 60 days. The fish fingerlings fed supplemented diet displayed significant differences (P < 0.05) in specific growth rate (SGR) and relative percentage survival compared to the control group fed without C. quadrangularis and LPS‐supplemented diet. Fingerlings were injected intraperitoneally with 100 μL lethal dose of A. hydrophila containing 1 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1. Supplementation of C. quadrangularis and LPS diet significantly increased biochemical profile such as protein, lipid and carbohydrate content, haematological parameters of L. calcarifer fingerlings in different experimental periods when compared with the control group. Dietary doses of C. quadrangularis and LPS‐supplemented diet significantly influenced growth performance and increased survival rate in L. calcarifer fingerlings against A. hydrophila infection.     

Commercial Bacillus probiotic supplementation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchys mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta): growth,immune responses and intestinal morphology

Probiotic administration is associated with the enhancement of host resistance to environmental and nutritional stressors, improving survival and growth rates. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus toyoi on growth performance, innate immune responses and gut morphology of two trout species feeding a commercial diet high in soybean meal. A commercial probiotic (4.2 × 10⁹ CFU g^?1 of additive) was supplemented to the experimental diets at 0% (control), 0.03% (P₁; 6 × 10³ CFU g^?1 of diet) or 0.06% (P₂; 1.5 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1 of diet) and fed to brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for 9 and 20 weeks respectively. Rainbow trout showed significantly better growth performance than brown trout, regardless of the dietary treatment. No effect of dietary probiotic supplementation was detected on growth performance, body composition or innate immune parameters (plasma lysozyme, alternative complement and peroxidase activities). In both species, after 9 weeks, intestinal lamina propria and submucosa were widened, with increased presence of inflammatory cells, significantly higher in groups fed probiotics. This inflammatory process, with villi and enterocytes noticeably damaged compared with the control group, was more pronounced in brown trout. Under the current trial conditions, the B. subtilis + B. cereus toyoi had no positive impact in either trout species, on the contrary a harmful effect was observed.     

Synbiotic effect of Bacillus mycoides and organic selenium on immunity and growth of marron,Cherax cainii (Austin, 2002)

The present feeding trial examined the effect of synbiotic use of Bacillus mycoides and organic selenium (OS) as Sel‐Plex on marron immunity, growth and survival. The marron were cultured in recirculated tanks and fed test diets consisting of a basal diet; basal diet supplemented with B. mycoides (10⁸ CFU g^?1 of feed); basal diet supplemented with OS (Sel‐Plex) (0.2 g kg ^{? 1} of feed) and basal diet supplemented with synbiotic (B. mycoides at 10⁸ CFU g^?1 and OS 0.2 g kg ^{? 1} feed) diet, in triplicate. The effect of the prebiotic OS (Sel‐Plex) on the growth rate of B. mycoides was also studied in vitro. The results suggested that synbiotic use of B. mycoides and OS significantly improved some immune parameters of marron, particularly the glutathione peroxidase, and to some extent total haemocyte counts. However, the synbiotic feed did not synergistically improve marron growth, in fact the use of B. mycoides‐supplemented diet alone demonstrated significantly higher growth in marron compared with the growth of marron fed on other test diets. Supplementation of the basal diet with host origin B. mycoides significantly increased the intestinal bacterial population (3.399 ± 825 CFU g ^{? 1} of gut) in marron compared with other diets. Organic selenium as Sel‐Plex in Trypticase Soya Broth also confirmed that OS did not increase the amount of growth of B. mycoides and resulted in a lower intestinal bacterial population in the synbiotic diet‐fed marron. In conclusion, synbiotic of OS and B. mycoides may improve a particular immune parameters of marron and to a lesser extent their growth.     

Combined effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide and Bacillus licheniformis on growth performance,body composition,intestinal enzymes activities and gut histology of triangular bream (Megalobrama terminalis)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) on growth performance, body composition, intestinal enzymes activities and gut histology of Megalobrama terminalis. Nine experimental diets were formulated to contain three FOS levels (0, 3 and 6 g kg^?1) and three B. licheniformis levels (0, 1 and 5 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1) following a 3 × 3 factorial design. Accordingly, diets were named as 0/0, 0/3, 0/6, 1/0, 1/3, 1/6, 5/0, 5/3 and 5/6 (B. licheniformis/FOS). At the end of the 8‐week feeding trial, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed 6 g kg^?1 FOS were both significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) higher than that of the other groups in terms of dietary FOS levels. Besides, WG and SGR of fish fed 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 B. licheniformis were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the control group in terms of dietary B. licheniformis levels. In addition, a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary FOS and B. licheniformis was observed in finial weight, WG, SGR as well as the survival rate with the highest values all observed in fish fed diet 1/3. Hepatosomatic index, carcass lipid content, lipase activities as well as microvilli length increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0 to 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1, but no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in terms of dietary FOS levels. In addition, a significant (P < 0.05) interaction of FOS and B. licheniformis was observed in both protease and Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase activities with the highest value obtained in fish fed diet 1/3. The results indicated that the dietary applications of dietary FOS and B. licheniformis alone or in combination can significantly improve the growth performance, survival rate, intestinal enzymes activities as well as microvilli length of triangular bream. In addition, there is a significant interaction between dietary FOS and B. licheniformis. The best combination for this species is 3 g kg^?1 FOS with 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 B. licheniformis.     

Development and validation of a real‐time PCR assay for the detection of Aeromonas salmonicida

A real‐time PCR assay using a molecular beacon was developed and validated to detect the vapA (surface array protein) gene in the fish pathogen, Aeromonas salmonicida. The assay had 100% analytical specificity and analytical sensitivities of 5 ± 0 fg (DNA), 2.2 × 10⁴ ± 1 × 10⁴ CFU g^?1 (without enrichment) and 40 ± 10 CFU g^?1 (with enrichment) in kidney tissue. The assay was highly repeatable and proved to be robust following equivalency testing using a different real‐time PCR platform. Following analytical validation, diagnostic specificity was determined using New Zealand farmed Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), (n = 750) and pink shubunkin, Carassius auratus (L.) (n = 157). The real‐time PCR was run in parallel with culture and all fish tested were found to be negative by both methods for A. salmonicida, resulting in 100% diagnostic specificity (95% confidence interval). The molecular beacon real‐time PCR system is specific, sensitive and a reproducible method for the detection of A. salmonicida. It can be used for diagnostic testing, health certification and active surveillance programmes.     

Probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. in Labeo rohita challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila: assessment of stress profile,haemato‐biochemical parameters and immune responses

Fish are always susceptible to a wide variety of deadly pathogens which cause a huge loss in aquaculture industries. In this investigation, we have demonstrated the in vivo probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. MVF1 (GenBank Acc. No. KP256503) in Labeo rohita challenged with pathogenic strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (MTCC 1739). To check the probiotic potential of the selected bacterial strain, fish were divided into four groups: control, D1, D2 and D3. A total of 100 days (70 days probiotic feeding + 71th day sampling and 28 days challenged test + 29th day sampling) of feeding trial was conducted. To establish the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1, certain haematological parameters (haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and leucocyte count), serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin and globulin), immune parameters (serum lysozyme and total IgM levels) and hepatic stress profile (malondialdehyde production, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity) have been measured. Our results demonstrated that red blood cell number, white blood cell number and haemoglobin content were much higher in D2 group fish compared to other groups and control fish. Similarly, total protein contents, albumin concentration, globulin concentration, lysozyme activity and IgM production were also recorded to be highest in D2 group fish. This finding clearly indicated the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1 in L. rohita. Furthermore, our results also demonstrated that 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 feed (D2) provides better immunity compared to 1 × 10⁵ (D1) and 1 × 10⁹ (D3). Due to beneficial effects, the bacterium Bacillus sp. MVF1 might be useful in aquaculture industries to reduce the disease susceptibility.     

Inosine supplementation effectively provokes the growth,immune response,oxidative stress resistance and intestinal morphology of juvenile red sea bream,Pagrus major

A feeding trial was conducted to determine effects of dietary inosine on growth, immune responses, oxidative stress resistance and intestinal morphology of juvenile red sea bream. A semi‐purified basal diet supplemented with 0 (D1, control), 2 g kg^?1 (D2), 4 g kg^?1 (D3), 6 g kg^?1 (D4) and 8 g kg^?1 (D5) dietary inosine, respectively, to formulate five experimental diets. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight: 8 g). After 50 days of feeding trial, fish fed diets with 4 g kg^?1 inosine had the highest (p < .05) final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate. Similarly, improved feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also found at 4 g kg^?1 inosine supplemented group. Some non‐specific immune parameters such as total serum protein, lysozyme activity and bactericidal activity tended to be higher for fish fed diets supplemented with inosine. Peroxidase and catalase activity also influenced (p < .05) by dietary inosine supplementation. Fish fed 2 g kg^?1 and 4 g kg^?1 inosine supplemented diets showed the least oxidative stress condition. Inosine supplementation significantly increased (p < .05) anterior enterocyte height and posterior fold height, enterocyte height and microvillus height compared with control. We concluded that 4 g kg^?1 dietary inosine supplementation effectively provokes growth and health performance of red sea bream by increasing growth, immune response, oxidative stress resistance and intestinal health condition.     

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) on growth performance,immunity and disease resistance of Pangasius catfish (Pangasius bocourti,Sauvage 1880)

This study evaluated the effects of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) and Lactobacillus plantarum singly or combined on growth, immunity and disease resistance of Pangasius bocourti. In the first experiment, different concentrations of JA (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 g kg^?1) were administered to determine an optimal concentration on growth of P. bocourti. In the second experiment, the optimal concentration of JA (5 g kg^?1) was combined with 10⁸ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum. In the final experiment, five randomly selected fish from the second experiment were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Treatments for second and third experiments were 0 g kg^?1 JA (Diet 1), 5 g kg^?1 JA (Diet 2), 10⁸ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum (Diet 3) and 5 g kg^?1 JA + 10⁸ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum (Diet 4). Fish fed 5 g kg^?1 JA or 10⁸ cfu g^?1 of L. plantarum significantly improved specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), serum lysozyme activity and postchallenge survival rate (PCSR). Dietary in the combination of JA and L. plantarum showed significantly enhanced SGR, FCR, serum lysozyme, phagocytosis, respiratory burst activities and PCSR compared with control and individual applications. Dietary JA and L. plantarum significantly stimulated growth, immunity and disease resistance of P. bocourti.     

Effects of taurine supplementation in live feeds on larval rearing performance of California yellowtail Seriola lalandi and white seabass Atractoscion nobilis

The larval rearing performance of California yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) and white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) was compared between larvae fed taurine‐supplemented rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia (Artemia franciscana) and control groups fed live feeds with no taurine enhancement. Results from the S. lalandi trial demonstrated that when fed taurine‐supplemented rotifers, survival was significantly higher than the control group (20.1% vs. 9.1%, P < 0.01) as was notochord length (5.43 mm vs. 5.13 mm, P < 0.005). No larval performance differences were detected between experimental and control treatments of A. nobilis. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that taurine concentrations were significantly elevated in both S. lalandi (23.7 vs. 2.7 mg g^?1, P < 0.001) and A. nobilis (33.0 vs. 21.0 mg g^?1, P < 0.005) when live feeds were supplemented with taurine. Results suggest that taurine is a limiting nutrient in the larviculture of S. lalandi but may not be for A. nobilis.     

Bacterial septicaemia in prerecruit edible crabs,Cancer pagurus L.

Juvenile edible crabs, Cancer pagurus L., were surveyed from Mumbles Head and Oxwich Bay in South Wales, UK, and the number of heterotrophic bacteria and vibrios in the hemolymph was determined. The percentage of crabs with hemolymph containing bacteria was variable over the survey with higher numbers of animals affected in summer than in winter. Post‐moult crabs contained significantly higher numbers of heterotrophic bacteria in the hemolymph than pre‐ and intermoult animals. Crabs with cuticular damage to the gills also had significantly higher numbers of bacteria in the hemolymph. Crabs were found to have a high prevalence of infection by the dinoflagellate, Hematodinium. Such animals had significantly fewer bacteria in the blood in comparison with Hematodinium‐free animals. Of the 463 crabs surveyed, only 3 individuals had hemolymph containing 2000 + CFU mL^?1. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, two of these crabs contained a Vibrio pectenicida‐like isolate, while the other had a mixed assemblage of vibrios. Although 59% of the crabs surveyed had culturable bacteria in the hemolymph, the majority only had small numbers (<2000 CFU mL^?1), suggesting that such infections may be of limited importance to the sustainability of the crab fishery in this region.     

Studies on bacterial pathogens isolated from diseased torafugu (Takifugu rubripes) cultured in marine industrial recirculation aquaculture system in Shandong Province,China

In spring of 2011, an epidemic outbreak of torafugu with high mortality occurred in an aquafarm with marine industrial recirculation aquaculture system (MIRAS) in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. The diseased fish showed anorexia, haemorrhaging and festering fin and skin and swelling internal organs. Forty‐five dominant bacterial isolates were obtained from the diseased fish, and were found to belong to 12 species according to 16S rRNA gene sequences. One strain from each species was selected to test the pathogenicity, and five strains were showed to be virulent to zebrafish. Whereas Enterovibrio nigricans Fr42 was highly virulent with the LD₅₀ of 7.8 × 10⁴ CFU g^?1, Photobacterium swingsii Fr23, Vibrio owensii Fr40, V. harveyi Fr51 and V. rotiferianus Fr71 were moderately virulent with the LD₅₀ of 1.7 × 10⁶ to 8.4 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1. Both the bacteria and their extracellular products of the five strains were found to show phospholipase, caseinase, gelatinase, amylase and/or lipase activities. The production of N‐acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) of the five strains was detected by three different AHLs biosensors, and three of them were found to produce AHLs by at least one kind of biosensor. This is the first study describing various opportunistic bacterial pathogens of fish cultured in MIRAS in China.     

Dietary amino acid l‐methionine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch‐1974) estimated by growth and haemato‐biochemical parameters

An 8 weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary methionine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.08 ± 0.95 cm; 4.33 ± 0.52 g). Six isonitrogenous (40%) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1 GE) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 0.25 g 100 g^?1containing graded levels of _L‐methionine (0.30, 0.55, 0.80, 1.05, 1.30 and 1.55 g 100 g^?1, dry diet) with 0.40 g 100 g^?1 constant level of cystine. Twenty fish were stocked in triplicate groups, in 75‐L circular trough with continuous flow‐through system and fed experimental diets at 4% BW/day twice daily, at 08:00 and 18:00 hours. Maximum live weight gain (296%), best feed conversion ratio (1.56) and protein efficiency ratio (1.60) were occurred at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 methionine, beyond which they showed declining tendency. However, quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirement for methionine at 1.15, 1.08, 1.06 and 1.05 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05), higher whole body protein content, minimum moisture and intermediate fat contents were recorded at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 dietary methionine level. Ash content remained insignificantly (P > 0.05) low among all the treatments, excepting at diet I and diet II. Body protein deposition was also found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 1.05 g 100 g^?1 methionine level. Best somatic and haematological indices values were also obtained at the requirement level. Based on above results, it is recommended that the diet for young H. fossilis should contain methionine at 1.09 g 100 g^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 2.73 g 100 g^?1 dietary protein with 0.40 g 100 g¹ cystine concentration for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization. Thus, the total sulphur amino acid requirement of H. fossilis would be (1.09 + 0.40) 1.49 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet, corresponding to 3.73 g 100 g^?1 of dietary protein.     

Evaluation of selected metal nanoparticles on hatching and survival of larvae and fry of Indian major carp,rohu (Labeo rohita)

Different laboratory synthesized metal nanoparticles viz. Copper oxide (CuO), Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver doped titanium dioxide (Ag‐TiO₂) were studied for their effect on hatching and survival of larvae and fry of Indian major carp, rohu, Labeo rohita both in direct application in tank water & coated onto tanks. Among these nanoparticles, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles exhibited highest percentage of hatching in both direct addition (78.0 ± 3.1% and 78.05 ± 4.2%, respectively) and coating onto tanks (58.6 ± 2.1% and 61.2 ± 2.7%, respectively) at 1 mg mL^?1 while least percentage of hatching was recorded in Ag‐TiO₂ nanoparticles irrespective of its concentration & mode of supplementation. Highest survival of L. rohita fry (50.13 ± 2.2%) was observed after 15 days post hatching in CuO coated tanks followed by ZnO coated tanks (38.6 ± 2.8%) while least was recorded in Ag‐TiO₂ coated tanks (22.53 ± 3.0%). However in control tanks coated with Poly‐Urethane base with hardener and uncoated control tanks, the survival was 42.4 ± 1.2% and 41.36 ± 1.8% respectively. Further, significantly lower microbial load of water was recorded in CuO nanoparticles coated tanks (1.5 × 10¹⁰ CFU L^?1) as compared to uncoated control tanks (1.1 × 10¹⁶ CFU L^?1) without affecting water quality parameters. On the other hand, in Ag‐TiO₂ coated tanks, significantly lower microbial load (1.0 × 10⁶ CFU L^?1) as compared to uncoated control tanks at 15 days post hatching was recorded. However, Ag‐TiO₂ was toxic to L. rohita larvae & fry both in direct application and coating onto tanks. Considering the beneficial effects of CuO nanoparticle application, it has the scope of being used in a more eco‐friendly way in hatchery operations.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of Vibrio harveyi by loop‐mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick targeted to vhhP2 gene

Vibrio harveyi is a causative agent of the Vibriosis or luminescent bacterial disease in worldwide aquaculture industry. A reliable assay for identification of V. harveyi infection is important to prevent the bacterial spread. In this study, biotinylated loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) amplicons were produced by a set of four designed primers that recognized specifically the V. harveyi vhhP2 gene, encoding a putative outer membrane protein with unknown function, followed by hybridization with an fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labelled probe and lateral flow dipstick (LFD) detection. A novel set of PCR primer was also designed specifically to vhhP2 gene and appear to be a species‐specific tool for V. harveyi detection. The optimized time and temperature conditions for the LAMP assay were 90 min at 65°C. The LAMP‐LFD and PCR methods accurately identified 22 isolates of V. harveyi but did not detect 16 non‐harveyi Vibrio isolates, and 34 non‐Vibrio bacterial isolates. The sensitivity of LAMP‐LFD for V. harveyi detection in pure culture was 1.1 × 10² CFU mL^?1 or equivalent to 0.6 CFU per reaction, while that of PCR was 6 CFU per reaction. For spiked shrimp sample, the sensitivity of LAMP was 1.8 × 10³ CFU g^?1 or equivalent to 5 CFU per reaction, while that of PCR was 50 CFU per reaction. In conclusion, the established LAMP‐LFD methods provided a valuable tool for rapid identification of V. harveyi and can be used to distinguish V. harveyi from V. campbellii.     

Effects of dietary live or heat‐inactivated autochthonous Bacillus pumilus SE5 on growth performance,immune responses and immune gene expression in grouper Epinephelus coioides

To evaluate the possible dietary application of live and heat‐inactivated probiotic Bacillus pumilus SE5 in grouper Epinephelus coioides, juveniles (14.6 ± 0.2 g) were fed either a basal control diet (without probiotic) or the basal diet supplemented with 1.0 × 10⁸ CFU g^?1 live (T1) and heat‐inactivated B. pumilus SE5 (T2). The heat‐inactivated probiotic significantly improved the final weight, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) at day 60 and significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) at day 30 and 60, while the viable probiotic significantly decreased the FCR at day 60 (P < 0.05). Phagocytic activity, serum complement C3 and IgM levels as well as SOD activity elevated significantly in fish fed the heat‐inactivated probiotic for 60 days (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the heat‐inactivated probiotic remarkably up‐regulated expression of TLR2 and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐8 and IL‐1β) in head kidney (P < 0.05), but the viable probiotic failed to do so. These results indicated that heat‐inactivated B. pumilus SE5 can effectively improve the growth performance and immune responses of E. coioides.     

Effects of dietary nucleotides on growth,physiological parameters and antioxidant responses of Juvenile Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The effects of nucleotides on growth, and physiological and antioxidant parameters were evaluated by feeding Pelteobagrus fulvidraco diets supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0 or 1.5 g kg^?1 of nucleotides respectively. All nucleotide groups showed higher specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, whole‐body lipid content and serum cholesterol concentrations than the control group, but the significant difference was seen only between fish from the 1.5 g kg^?1 nucleotide group and fish from the control group. Whole‐body ash content in fish from the 0.6 g kg^?1 nucleotide group, and liver superoxide dismutase and catalase in fish from the 0.4 g kg^?1 nucleotide group were significantly higher than those in fish from the control group. Respiratory burst activity was significantly higher in fish from the 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 g kg^?1 nucleotide groups than in fish from the control. This finding was accompanied by lower liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid‐reacting substances in fish from the same groups compared to those from the control group. The results indicate that dietary nucleotides could improve growth and antioxidant responses in juvenile yellow catfish.     

Efficacy of feed‐based adjuvant vaccine against Streptococcus agalactiae in Oreochromis spp. in Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the systemic, mucosal immunity and protective capacity of the feed‐based adjuvant vaccine (FAV) of Streptococcus agalactiae following oral vaccination against streptococcosis in tilapias. Two hundred and sixteen red tilapia fish were divided into three major groups. Each major group consisted eight tilapia kept in nine 2000 L glass aquaria. At day 0, all fish from the FAV group were fed with feed that had been incorporated with an adjuvant, while fish in the feed‐based vaccine (FNV) group were fed with vaccine incorporated into the pellet without adjuvant. Fish in the control‐unvaccinated group, FC, were fed with normal commercial pellet. Booster dose was performed on day 14 post immunization. Fish from each group were sacrificed on a weekly basis for the entire 7 weeks. Serum, body mucus and gut lavage fluid were evaluated for antibody responses by indirect ELISA, while histological examination was carried out on the gut following intraperitoneal challenge. The FAV group had a significantly higher protection (P < 0.05) following challenge with 3.4 × 10⁹ CFU mL^?1 of live S. agalactiae than FNV group. This level of protection may be due to high antibody responses, increase in size of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue and high number of lymphocytes in the FAV group.     

Effect of l‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate supplementation on growth performance,body composition,antioxidative capacity and salinity stress tolerance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid (AsA), in the form of l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate (LAPP) on growth performance, body composition, antioxidative capacity and salinity stress tolerance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Five practical diets (46% crude protein and 7.6% lipid) supplemented with graded levels of AsA (14.64, 48.55, 84.98, 308.36 and 639.27 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to five replicate groups of L. vannamei (mean initial wet weight 0.57 g). No significant differences were found on growth performance among all treatments. However, whole body lipid content significantly decreased with dietary AsA levels increasing. Activities of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly affected by dietary AsA levels. Shrimp fed LAPP‐free diet had higher malondialdehyde content than those fed the diets supplemented with LAPP. Dietary AsA levels higher than 308.36 mg kg^?1 diet increased the survival of shrimps after 1, 2 and 3 h of acute salinity change. Broken‐line regression analysis on survival after 3 h of salinity stress and second‐degree polynomial regression analysis on glutathione reductase data indicated that the optimal dietary AsA requirement of L. vannamei was estimated to be 306.39, 319.75 mg kg^?1 diet respectively.