Effects of dietary histidine on antioxidant capacity in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that dietary histidine could improve antioxidant capacity of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). A total of 1,200 juvenile Jian carp were fed graded levels of histidine at 2.3 (unsupplemented control), 4.4, 6.3, 8.6, 10.8 and 12.7 g/kg diet for 60 days. Results showed that the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) in serum and all tissues apparently decreased with increasing histidine levels up to an optimal level and increased thereafter. Anti-superoxide anion (ASA) capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and glutathione (GSH) content in serum and all tissues, anti-hydroxyl radical (a-HR) capacity, catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in serum, muscle and intestine, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in serum and intestine, as well as glutathione reductase (GR) activity in serum, muscle and hepatopancreas were improved by dietary histidine. Fish fed diet with 8.6 g/kg histidine had lower serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activity than that fed with control diet, whereas pattern of glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity was opposite. The present results suggested that histidine could improve antioxidant capacity and inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation of juvenile Jian carp.     

Dietary phosphorus prevents oxidative damage and increases antioxidant enzyme activities in intestine and hepatopancreas of juvenile Jian carp

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary phosphorus on the intestine and hepatopancreas antioxidant capacity of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). Jian carp, with an average initial weight of 7.17 ± 0.01 g, were fed with diets containing graded concentrations of available phosphorus, namely 1.7 (control), 3.6, 5.5, 7.3, 9.2 and 11.0 g kg^?1 diet for 9 weeks. Results showed that, in intestine and hepatopancreas, content of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and glutathione (GSH), capacity of anti‐superoxide anion (ASA) and anti‐hydroxyl radical (AHR), and glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), glutathione S‐transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly affected by dietary phosphorus levels (P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that significant quadratic responses occurred in MDA content and ASA, GST, GPx and AHR activities in intestine, GSH content and CAT and SOD activities in hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). These results indicate that optimal level of dietary phosphorus prevented oxidative damage and increased antioxidant enzyme activities in the intestine and hepatopancreas of juvenile Jian carp. The phosphorus requirement estimated from MDA using quadratic regression analysis was 5.7 g kg^?1 diet.     

Antioxidant status of serum,muscle, intestine and hepatopancreas for fish fed graded levels of biotin

Lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant activities of muscle, intestine, hepatopancreas and serum in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) were investigated after feeding graded levels of biotin (0.010, 0.028, 0.054, 0.151, 0.330, 1.540 and 2.680 mg kg^?1 diet) for 63 days. Both malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content in all studied tissues and serum were the lowest in fish fed diets containing 0.151–0.330 mg biotin kg^?1 diet and then increased in fish fed the diet with 2.680 mg biotin kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Similarly, glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate–pyruvate transaminase activities in serum significantly decreased with biotin levels up to 0.151 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Conversely, capacities of anti-hydroxyl radical (AHR) and anti-superoxide anion (ASA) in the detected tissues and serum significantly improved with biotin levels up to 0.054–1.540 mg kg^?1 diet and then decreased in 2.680 mg biotin kg^?1 diet group for muscle and intestinal AHR as well as hepatopancreas ASA (P < 0.05). Activities of superoxide dismutase in all studied tissues and serum significantly elevated with biotin levels up to 0.330 mg kg^?1 diet and then decreased when fish fed the diet with 2.680 mg biotin kg^?1 diet, except intestine (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase and total thiol content in all studied tissues and serum showed the upward trend with biotin supplementations (P < 0.05). These results indicated that biotin improved antioxidant status and depressed lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in all studied tissues and serum.     

Supplementation of enzyme-treated soy protein saves dietary protein and promotes digestive and absorptive ability referring to TOR signaling in juvenile fish

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of enzyme-treated soy protein (ETSP) supplementation in the low-protein diet on growth performance, digestive and absorptive capacities, and related signaling molecules’ gene expressions in juvenile Jian carp. The results showed that percent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed intake (FI) were decreased by reducing dietary protein from 34 to 32% (P < 0.05). Supplying low-protein diet with optimal ETSP increased previously mentioned indices of juvenile Jian carp (P < 0.05), which also had no significant difference with the high-protein diet (34%CP) (P > 0.05). Compared with the low-protein diet, appropriate ETSP supplementation in the low-protein diet increased (P < 0.05) (1) the trypsin, lipase, and amylase activities in the hepatopancreas; (2) cholecystokinin concentration in the proximal intestine; (3) the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities in all intestinal segments; and (4) the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of trypsin, lipase, and amylase in hepatopancreas and γ-GT in the mid (MI) and distal (DI) intestine, alkaline phosphatase in MI, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and target of rapamycin in all intestinal segments. At the same time, appropriate ETSP supplementation in the low-protein diet downregulated the mRNA levels of AKP in the DI and eIF4E-binding protein 2 in all intestinal segments (P < 0.05). In conclusion, adding 10 g ETSP/kg diet in the low-protein diet can restore the growth performance and digestive and absorptive abilities to the levels in group with 34% dietary protein. Supplementation of optimal ETSP in the low-protein diet enhanced the digestive and absorptive abilities and regulated the signaling molecules related to the TOR signaling pathway.     

Methionine hydroxy analogue prevents oxidative damage and improves antioxidant status of intestine and hepatopancreas for juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

Oxidative damage and antioxidant status of intestine and hepatopancreas for juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed graded levels of methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA: 0, 5.1, 7.6, 10.2, 12.7, 15.3 g kg^?1 diet) for 60 days were studied. Radical scavenging ability, antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reducase (GR), as well as glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl (PC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were assayed in these tissues. Results indicated that anti‐superoxide anion capacity in intestine and anti‐hydroxyl radical capacity in hepatopancreas significantly improved with dietary MHA levels up to 7.6 and 10.2 g kg^?1 diet respectively, whereupon they decreased (P < 0.05). SOD, CAT, GST, GPX, GR activities in intestine and hepatopancreas, as well as GSH content in hepatopancreas significantly increased with optimal MHA levels which were in the range of 5.1–10.2 g kg^?1 diet, and thereafter decreased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, MDA and PC contents in these tissues together with GOT and GPT activities in plasma significantly decreased with optimal MHA levels which were in the range of 5.1–7.6 g kg^?1 diet, and thereafter increased (P < 0.05). These results suggested that MHA improved antioxidant status and depressed lipid and protein oxidation in intestine and hepatopancreas.     

Effects of dietary vitamin K levels on growth performance,enzyme activities and antioxidant status in the hepatopancreas and intestine of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A total of 1400 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (8.93 ± 0.03 g) were fed diets containing graded levels of vitamin K at 0.027 (basal diet), 1.52, 3.02, 4.51, 6.02 and 7.52 mg kg^?1 diet for 60 days to investigate the effects of vitamin K on growth, enzyme activities and antioxidant capacity in the hepatopancreas and intestine. Percentage weight gain (PWG), feed intake and feed efficiency of fish were improved by vitamin K. Activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase in the intestine and hepatopancreas and Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase in the intestine were increased by vitamin K. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents in the hepatopancreas and intestine were decreased with vitamin K supplements. Certain level of vitamin K increased antihydroxyl radical, antisuperoxide anion, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities and glutathione contents in the hepatopancreas and intestine. Intestinal Lactobacillus, E. coli and Aeromonas were changed with vitamin K supplements. Together, these results indicate that vitamin K improved fish growth, digestive and absorptive ability, and anti‐oxidant capacity. The dietary vitamin K requirement of juvenile Jian carp (8.93–73.7 g) based on PWG was 3.13 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Effects of dietary thiamin supplement on growth,body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A total of 1050 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (8.20 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing seven graded levels of thiamin (0.25, 0.48, 0.79, 1.06, 1.37, 1.63 and 2.65 mg kg^?1) for 60 days to investigate the effects of thiamin on growth, body composition and digestive enzyme activities. Percent weight gain (PWG), feed intake and feed efficiency (FE) were the lowest in fish fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Protein productive value and lipid productive value increased with increasing dietary thiamin levels up to 1.06 and 0.79 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively (P < 0.05). Body protein and lipid increased with increasing dietary thiamin levels (P < 0.05), while moisture and ash of fish carcasses decreased with the increase in dietary thiamin supplementation (P < 0.05). Intestinal folds height had a similar trend to PWG (P < 0.05). Activities of α‐amylase, lipase, trypsin, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase in intestine were all affected by the dietary thiamin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, thiamin could improve growth and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp. The dietary thiamin requirement of juvenile Jian carp (8.0–60.2 g) based on PWG was 1.02 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Effect of dietary thiamin supplement on immune responses and intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study was to investigate the effect of dietary thiamin on the immune response and intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). Seven diets (0.25, 0.48, 0.79, 1.06, 1.37, 1.63 and 2.65 mg thiamin kg^?1) were fed to Jian carp (8.20 ± 0.02 g). At the end of feeding trial, red blood cell counts and white blood cell counts increased with increasing dietary thiamin levels up to 0.79 and 1.06 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively (P < 0.05); Lactobacillus counts in intestine increased gradually, and maximum values obtained when the thiamin level was at 0.79 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). After the feeding trial, fish were injected with Aeromonas hydrophila only one time on the first day of the challenge trial and fed the same diets as the growth trial for 17 days. The survival rate, leucocyte phagocytic activity, lectin potency, acid phosphatase activity, lysozyme activity, total iron‐binding capacity and immunoglobulin M content of fish after being injected with A. hydrophila were all improved with increasing dietary thiamin levels up to a point, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that thiamin could improve immune response and the balance of intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp.     

Effect of dietary lysine on growth,intestinal enzymes activities and antioxidant status of sub-adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The dietary lysine requirement of sub-adult grass carp (460 ± 1.5 g) was assessed by feeding diets supplemented with grade levels of lysine (6.6, 8.5, 10.8, 12.9, 15.0 and 16.7 g kg^?1 diet) for 56 days. The test diets (28 % CP) contained fish meal, casein and gelatin as sources of intact protein, supplemented with crystalline amino acids. Weight gain (WG), feed intake and feed efficiency were significantly improved with increasing levels of lysine up to 12.9 g kg^?1 diet and thereafter declined (P < 0.05). Quadratic regression analysis of WG at 95 % maximum response indicated lysine requirement was 10.9 g kg^?1 diet. Activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase in intestine, creatine kinase activity in proximal and mid-intestine responded similar to WG (P < 0.05). In addition, lipid and protein oxidation decreased with increasing levels of lysine up to certain values and increased thereafter (P < 0.05); the anti-hydroxyl radical capacity, dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and glutathione content were increased with increasing dietary lysine levels up to certain values in the detected tissues, except for hepatopancreatic GST. Requirement estimated on the basis of malondialdehyde content in intestine and hepatopancreas was 10.6 and 9.53 g lysine kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

Influence of dietary zinc on lipid peroxidation,protein oxidation and antioxidant defence of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study was conducted to study the effects of dietary zinc on lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant defence of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) by feeding fish with increasing levels of zinc (15.3, 26.9, 40.8, 58.2, 68.9 and 92.5 mg Zn kg^?1) for 6 weeks. Results indicated that malondialdehyde (MDA) content and protein carbonyls (PC) in serum were the highest in fish fed diet containing 15.3 mg zinc kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Serum antisuperoxide anion (ASA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione reductase (GR) activities and glutathione (GSH) content were improved with increasing dietary zinc levels up to 40.8 mg zinc kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and levelled off (P > 0.05). Serum antihydroxy radical (AHR), catalase (CAT) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities followed the similar pattern to that observed in ASA. The MDA and PC levels, ASA, AHR, SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST activities and GSH content in intestine, hepatosomatic and muscle tissue followed the similar pattern to that observed in serum. The present results indicated that zinc decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation and improved antioxidant defence in fish.     

Effects of dietary histidine levels on growth performance,body composition and intestinal enzymes activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A total of 1200 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (8.76 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing graded levels of histidine at 2.3 (unsupplemented control), 4.4, 6.3, 8.6, 10.8 and 12.7 g kg^?1 diet for 60 days to investigate the effects of histidine levels on growth performance, body composition, intestinal enzymes activities and microflora. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, body protein content and lipid content of fish were lowest in fish fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Activities of glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase in muscle and hepatopancreas, trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, lipase activities in intestine and hepatopancreas, and Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase activities in three intestinal segments were improved by dietary histidine (P < 0.05), whereas glutamate‐oxaloacetate transaminase activities and plasma ammonia content followed an opposite trend. The amounts of Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas were significantly affected by dietary histidine levels (P < 0.05). These results suggested that histidine could improve growth and enhance intestinal enzymes activities of juvenile Jian carp. The dietary histidine requirement of juvenile Jian carp (8.76–68.02 g) based on SGR was 7.8 g kg^?1 diet or 2.38 g 100 g^?1 protein by quadratic regression analysis.     

Effects of graded levels of dietary vitamin C on the growth,digestive capacity and intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A 60‐day experiment was carried out to study the effects of vitamin C [ascorbic acid (AA)] on the growth, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal microbial population. Diets with six levels (0.0, 21.4, 45.1, 69.5, 93.6 and 142.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet) of supplemental ascorbyl polyphosphate were fed to juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (12.63±0.02 g). The specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency and productive protein value were significantly improved with increasing AA levels up to 45.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). The hepatopancreas and muscle AA concentrations were increased with increasing dietary AA levels up to 69.5 and 45.1 mg kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05). The activities of intestinal trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, α‐amylase, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase and creatinkinase were all positively affected by the AA supplementation (P<0.05). Intestinal Lactobacillus and Bacillus were increased with increasing AA levels up to 45.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet (P<0.05), while intestinal Escherichia coli decreased with increasing AA levels up to 45.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, AA improve the digestive capacity and intestinal microbial population of Jian carp, and the dietary AA requirement for SGR of juvenile Jian carp was 40.9 mg AA kg^?1 diet.     

Role of cyclooxygenase-mediated metabolites in lipid metabolism and expression of some immune-related genes in juvenile grass carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenopharyngodon idellus</Emphasis>) fed arachidonic acid

Cyclooxygenase (COX) catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid (ARA) to prostaglandins, and COX-mediated metabolites play important roles in the regulation of lipid metabolism and immunity in mammals. However, such roles of COX in fish remain largely unknown. In this study, we designed three semi-purified diets, namely ARA-free (control), ARA, and ARA + acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; a COX inhibitor), and used them to feed grass carp (27.65 ± 3.05 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed that dietary ARA significantly increased the amount of ARA in the hepatopancreas, muscle, and kidney (P < 0.05), whereas this increase was reduced by dietary ASA. The hepatopancreatic prostaglandin E₂ content increased in the ARA group, and this increase was inhibited by ASA (P < 0.05). ARA decreased the lipid content in the hepatopancreas, whereas ASA recovered lipid content to a significant level (P < 0.05). ARA significantly decreased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase in the hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). However, ASA did not rescue the mRNA expression of these genes (P > 0.05). Interestingly, ARA significantly enhanced the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α gene expression, and this increase was attenuated by ASA (P < 0.05). Finally, ARA significantly enhanced the mRNA expression of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in the kidney, and ASA attenuated the expression of toll-like receptor 22 and MyD88 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that COX metabolites play important roles in the inhibition of lipid accumulation in the hepatopancreas of grass carp fed with ARA and that regulation of gene expression promotes lipid catabolism rather than lipogenic activities. Additionally, these eicosanoids might participate in the upregulation of immunity-related genes in the kidney.     

Growth, digestive capacity and intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed graded levels of dietary inositol

A 60‐day feeding trial was carried out with juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) to study the effects of myo‐inositol (MI) on the growth, digestive enzyme and intestinal microbial population. Diets with seven levels of inositol (163.5, 232.7, 384.2, 535.8, 687.3, 838.8 and 990.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet) were fed to Jian carp (initial weight 22.28±0.07 g). Per cent weight gain (PWG) was improved with increasing inositol levels up to 535.8 mg MI kg^?1 diet (P<0.05), and plateaued (P>0.05). The protein production value, lipid production value and ash production value were increased with increasing dietary inositol levels up to 384.2, 838.8 and 838.8 mg MI kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05). Although intestinal protein content and trypsin activity were not affected by inositol levels (P>0.05), chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase activities in intestine were the lowest for fish fed the MI‐unsupplemented diet (P<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and creatinkinase activities in the intestine were increased with an increase in the inositol levels up to 384.2–687.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). Intestinal Aeromonas hydrophila and Escherichia coli decreased with an increase in the levels of dietary inositol up to 232.7 and 687.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05), while Lactobacillus in the intestine increased with an increase in inositol levels up to 990.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, inositol improved growth, digestive capacity and intestinal microbial population of juvenile Jian carp, and the dietary inositol requirement for PWG of juvenile Jian carp is 518.0 mg MI kg^?1 diet.     

Effects of Dietary Soybean Oil Replacement by Silkworm,Bombyx mori L., Chrysalis Oil on Growth Performance,Tissue Fatty Acid Composition,and Health Status of Juvenile Jian Carp,Cyprinus carpio var. Jian

Five triplicate groups containing 15 Jian carp (33.51 ± 1.91 g) were fed five isonitrogenous (30%) and isolipidic (8%) diets, with an increase in silkworm chrysalis oil (SCO) to replace soybean oil (SO) at 0 (SO), 25 (SCO25), 50 (SCO50), 75 (SCO75), or 100% (SCO100) levels for 59 d. Results showed that the SCO50 and SCO75 groups presented higher thermal growth coefficients than the SO and SCO100 groups and lower feed conversion ratios than the SCO100 group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the 50% SCO‐supplemented level decreased hepatopancreas lipid content and increased muscle crude protein content (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, α‐linolenic acid, n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, and n‐3/n‐6 PUFA ratio increased in the hepatopancreas, and intraperitoneal fat and muscle as the replacement of SO increased (P < 0.05). No significant differences of the serum biochemical indices and hepatopancreatic malondialdehyde content were found among groups (P > 0.05), but hepatopancreatic superoxide dismutase activities in the SCO25 and SCO50 groups were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in muscularis coat thickness, fold height, and fold width in the mid‐intestine (P>0.05). Overall, up to 50 or 75% replacement of SO by SCO in the diet of Jian carp could improve growth performance without affecting the health status of the fish.     

Dietary lysine requirement of juvenile Jian carp (cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study was designed to determine the dietary lysine requirement of juvenile Jian carp (cyprinus carpio var. Jian). A total of 990 juvenile Jian carps (initial weight 7.89 ± 0.04 g) were randomly allocated six groups of each three replicates, feeding isonitrogenous (320 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isolipidic (50 g kg^?1 crude fat) diets containing graded levels of coated l ‐lysine, with dietary lysine content ranging from 22 to 69 g kg^?1 of protein, respectively, for 80 days. Final weight, protein deposition and protein production value were significantly improved in response to the increasing levels of dietary lysine up to 59 g kg^?1 of protein and remained nearly constant thereafter. Whole‐body protein content followed a similar pattern as growth parameters in relation to dietary lysine level. Hepatopancreas and intestine protein content, hepatopancreas index (HSI) and intestine index (ISI) were positively affected by dietary lysine level. The dietary lysine requirement of juvenile Jian carp estimated by broken line analysis based on weight gain was 59 g kg^?1 of protein.     

Effect of methionine on intestinal enzymes activities, microflora and humoral immune of juvenile Jian carp (cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary methionine supplementation on intestinal microflora and humoral immune of juvenile Jian carp (initial weight of 9.9 ± 0.0 g) reared in indoor flow-through and aerated aquaria. Eight amino acid test diets (350 g kg⁻¹ crude protein, CP), using fish meal, soybean-condensed protein and gelatin as intact protein sources supplemented with crystalline amino acids, were formulated to contain graded levels of methionine (0.6–22.0%) at a constant dietary cystine level of 3 g kg⁻¹. Each diet was randomly assigned to three aquaria. Growth performance and feed utilization were significantly influenced by the dietary methionine levels ( P  < 0.05). Maximum weight gain, feed intake occurred at 12 g kg⁻¹ dietary methionine ( P  < 0.05). Methionine supplementation improved hepatopancreas and intestine weight, hepatosomatic and intestine index, intestinal γ-glutamyltransferase and creatine kinase activity, Lactobacillus count, Bacillus count, lysozyme activities, lectin potency, sim-immunoglobulin M content, addiment C3,C4 contents and serum total iron-binding capacity and declined Escherichia coli and Aeromonas counts. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary methionine levels indicated that the optimal dietary methionine requirement for maximum growth of juvenile Jian carp is 12 g kg⁻¹ of the dry diet in the presence of 3 g kg⁻¹ cystine.     

Growth,body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed graded levels of dietary zinc

A 6‐week trial was carried out with 900 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) to investigate the effects of dietary zinc on growth, body composition and intestinal enzyme activities. Diets supplemented with increasing levels (15.3, 26.9, 40.8, 58.2, 68.9 and 92.5 mg Zn kg^?1) of zinc lactate were fed to Jian carp (mean initial weight 15.7 ± 0.01 g). Results indicated that per cent weight gain (PWG), feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lipid productive value (LPV) enhanced with dietary zinc levels up to 40.8 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05), and plateaued thereafter (P > 0.05). Feed intake (FI) was similar to that observed for PWG. Intestosomatic index (ISI), relative gut length (RGL), hepatopancreas protein content (HPC), intestine protein content (IPC), trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) activities were all higher by dietary zinc supplementation than zinc un‐supplementation (P < 0.05). These results suggested that zinc could promote growth and increase nutrient deposition and intestinal enzyme activities. The dietary zinc requirements (use zinc lactate as zinc source) of juvenile Jian carp (15.7–42.2 g) based on PWG and serum zinc were 48.7 and 43.2 mg Zn kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

Dietary Lipid Levels Affect the Growth Performance,Lipid Deposition,and Antioxidative Capacity of Juvenile Scaleless Carp,Gymnocypris przewalskii,on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

A 56‐d growth trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, lipid deposition, and antioxidative capacity of juvenile scaleless carp, Gymnocypris przewalskii, on Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. One‐year‐old juveniles (initial weight: 15.99 ± 0.02 g) were fed practical diets with different lipid levels of 4, 5.5, 7, 8.5, and 10%, respectively. Results showed that the best specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion rate, and total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC) in hepatopancreas were observed in fish fed the diet with 7% lipid level. Fish fed with high lipid diets (8.5 and 10%) had significantly higher condition factor and viscerosomatic index as well as lipid in muscle, intestine, mesenteric fat tissue, and whole body. Highest level of hepatopancreas lipase and lipoprotein lipases activities as well as malondialdehyde content and the lowest level of feed intake and T‐AOC content in hepatopancreas and intestine were also observed in fish fed with high lipid diets (8.5 and 10%) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, based on SGR and hepatopancreas T‐AOC content, dietary lipid requirement of juvenile G. przewalskii was estimated to be 7.35 and 7.39%, respectively.     

Effect of dietary pantothenic acid supplement on growth, body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A 9-week feeding trial was carried out with juvenile Jian carp to study the effect of dietary pantothenic acid (PA) on growth, body composition and intestinal enzyme activities. Semi-purified diets with seven levels (4.0, 15.5, 25.6, 36.1, 45.9, 56.1 and 65.9 mg PA kg⁻¹) of supplemental calcium d -pantothenate were fed to Jian carp (13.0 ± 0.0 g). PA improved specific growth rate (SGR), protein productive value (PPV), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lipid production value (LPV) ( P <  0.05). Fish fed the control diet had significantly lower feed efficiency (FE) than that in any other group ( P <  0.05). Body protein content increased with increasing PA levels ( P <  0.05), but moisture, lipid and ash of fish carcasses were negatively related to the graded PA levels ( P <  0.05). Intestine protein content (IPC), hepatopancreas protein content (HPC) and activity of α-amylase, lipase, trypsin, Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were all positively affected by the dietary PA levels ( P <  0.05), while intestine index (ISI) and hepatopancreas index (HSI) decreased with the increment of supplemental levels of PA ( P <  0.05). These results suggested that PA could enhance fish growth and intestinal enzyme activities. The dietary PA requirement of juvenile Jian carp, Cyprinus carpio var . Jian (13.0–73.0 g), for optimal growth estimated by the broken-line analysis was 23.0 mg PA kg⁻¹ diet.