The protein sparing effect of carbohydrates in the diet of eels (Anguilla anguilla)

The effect of partially replacing protein by carbohydrates in eel (Anguilla anguilla) diets was studied. The growth of eels fed 40% protein and 38% wheat meal was greater than that of eels fed 50% protein and 20% wheat meal or 30% protein and 56% wheat meal.The body fat of eels fed a high carbohydrate diet was greater (weight/weight) than the body fat of eels fed a low carbohydrate diet. The food conversion value was lower in eels fed 40% protein than eels fed 50% or 30% protein. However, the protein efficiency ratio was lower in eels fed a low percentage of protein (30%) than that of eels fed a high percentage of protein (40% or 50%).     

Dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio in low‐lipid diets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis,Kaup 1858) juveniles. Influence on growth performance,nutrient utilization and flesh quality

Four isoenergetic (21 kJ/g dry matter, DM) and isolipidic (65 g/kg DM) diets containing different crude protein/total carbohydrate (CHO) ratios: 60/26, 56/30, 52/34 and 48/38, were tested in 22 g Senegalese sole for 104 days. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were not affected by the treatments, and all groups presented extremely low starch ADC values (22.8%–36.5%). Replacement of dietary protein by CHO did not affect daily growth index (0.9–1.0), but significantly increased voluntary feed intake of fish. Regression analyses demonstrated that digestible protein content, rather than digestible energy, was the main dietary factor influencing such feeding activity (R² = .952). A significantly increased feed conversion ratio was observed in sole fed increasing CHO contents. The dietary protein/CHO ratio did not influence whole‐body composition. Sole fed the 48/38 diet showed the lowest efficiency in terms of N and energy utilization. PUFA were the most represented fatty acid fraction in fillet, regardless of the dietary protein/CHO ratio, mainly due to the high content of DHA. Senegalese sole increase feed intake under low dietary protein/CHO ratios to ensure an adequate N intake. Such compensatory mechanism seems to be triggered to satisfy a specific protein metabolic requirement for energy purposes as tissue accretion remained unchanged.     

饲料中非蛋白能源物质对红螯光壳螯虾幼虾生长、生理、生化指标的影响

在等蛋白质、等能量基础上,研究碳水化合物与脂类比例(CHO∶L)为10.75∶1、4.81∶1、2.66∶1、1.52∶1和0.87∶1的5组试验饲料对红螯光壳螯虾[初始体质量(1.72±0.01)g]相关生长、生理、生化指标的影响。8周试验结果表明,CHO∶L比例为2.66∶1时,红螯光壳螯虾的增重率、特定生长率和饲料利用率达到最高。高比例的CHO∶L(10.75∶1)和低比例的CHO∶L(0.87∶1)都会显著地抑制(P<0.05)红螯光壳螯虾的生长和饲料的利用。饲料脂肪水平为40～145 g/kg时,虾的脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶活力显著升高(P<0.05),己糖激酶和丙酮酸激酶活力则呈显著降低趋势(P<0.05)。CHO∶L对虾胃蛋白酶活力影响显著(P<0.01),CHO∶L为2.66∶1和1.52∶1表现出比较高的活力,显著高于(P<0.05)其它试验组。碳水化合物为156.3～360.4 g/kg范围内,虾淀粉酶活力随饲料中碳水化合物的升高而显著升高(P<0.01)。红螯光壳螯虾增重率分别与饲料中碳水化合物和脂肪水平进行二次回归分析得出,红螯光壳螯虾对配合饲料中碳水化合物和脂肪的最适需求量分别为268.28和120.22 g/kg,相对应的CHO∶L为2.20∶1,且红螯光壳螯虾对碳水化合物的利用能力要高于对脂肪的利用。     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio for bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana

This study aimed to investigate the optimum dietary carbohydrate/lipid (CHO/L) ratio for bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated, containing various CHO/L from 1.20 to 12.11. Bullfrogs were fed six diets for 8 weeks and each diet was tested by three replicates. After the 8 weeks feeding, weight gain and specific growth rate increased significantly as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased, but showed little difference (P > 0.05) as dietary CHO/L ratios ranged from 1.20 to 2.76. Nitrogen retention was significantly affected by CHO/L ratios, and bullfrog fed with CHO/L 6.10 and 1.82 diets showed the lowest and highest nitrogen retentions respectively. Energy retention increased significantly as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased and bullfrog fed the CHO/L at 1.82 and 1.20 diets showed the highest value. Whole‐body lipid and energy levels both increased significantly (P < 0.05) as dietary CHO/L ratios decreased. Moreover, liver lipid content of bullfrog fed CHO/L 1.82 and 1.20 diets were significantly higher than that of other groups. Plasma insulin level significantly increased as the elevation of dietary CHO/L. Malondialdehyde level increased as the CHO/L decreased, and the bullfrog fed the CHO/L 1.20 diet had the highest level. In conclusion, the present results clearly showed the effects of dietary CHO/L ratios on growth; the optimum CHO/L is 2.07 (approximately 22.49% carbohydrate and 10.83% lipid) based on the second‐order polynomial regression analysis of weight gain.     

Optimal dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio for juvenile yellowfin seabream (Sparus latus)

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal carbohydrate‐to‐lipid (CHO: L) ratio for juvenile yellowfin seabream cultured in 340‐L indoor recirculating tanks. Seven isonitrogenous (450 g kg⁻¹ dietary protein) and isoenergetic (14.1 MJ kg⁻¹) diets with increasing CHO: L ratios (0.03–5.09 g: g) were fed to triplicate groups of 30 fish with an initial weight of 4.91 g for 56 days. Fish were fed to satiation twice a day and the water temperature ranged between 28 and 31.7 °C during the experimental period. Survival was high in all the groups and was not affected by dietary treatments. Best weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios of 0.29 and 0.72, which were not significantly different from that of 0.03, 1.26 and 1.92, but apparently higher than that of 3.22 and 5.09. Feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein production value (PPV) followed the same general pattern as WG and SGR. Highest level of energy production value (EPV) was found in fish fed diets with CHO: L ratio of 0.72. Proximate compositions of fish whole body and tissues were markedly affected by dietary CHO: L ratios. Whole body, muscle and liver lipid increased as CHO: L ratios decreased, whereas moisture contents were reduced. Dietary CHO: L ratios had no significant effect on protein content in whole body and muscle. Plasma total cholesterol levels of fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios less than 0.72 were significantly higher than those of the other groups. Triacylglyceride levels decreased linearly as dietary CHO: L ratios increased. Viscerosomatic index (VSI) significantly increased as dietary CHO: L ratios decreased. Intraperitoneal fat ratio (IPF) of fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios less than 1.92 were significantly higher than those fed CHO: L ratios of 3.22 and 5.09. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) did not vary between the test diets. Based on second‐order polynomial regression analysis of WG against dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels, 84.1 g kg⁻¹ of carbohydrate and 136.3 g kg⁻¹ of lipid, corresponding to a CHO: L ratio of 0.62, in a diet holding 450 g kg⁻¹ of crude protein and 14 KJ g⁻¹ of metabolizable energy, proved to be optimal for juvenile yellowfin seabream.     

Growth performance and metabolic utilization of diets including starch,dextrin, maltose or glucose as carbohydrate source by gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>) juveniles

The effect of dietary carbohydrate complexity on growth, feed utilization and activity of selected key liver enzymes of intermediary metabolism were studied in gilthead sea bream juveniles. Four isonitrogenous (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (16% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 20% of pregelatinized maize starch, dextrin, maltose or glucose. Triplicate groups of fish (117 g initial weight) were fed each diet to near satiation during 6 weeks. No effect of dietary carbohydrate on growth was noticed. Feed efficiency was lower in fish fed the glucose diet than the maltose and dextrin diets. The lowest protein efficiency ratio was observed in fish fed the glucose diet. Six hours after feeding, glycemia was higher in fish fed the glucose diet than the maltose and starch diets. Liver glycogen content was unaffected by dietary carbohydrate complexity. Hepatic glucokinase (GK) activity was higher in fish fed the glucose and the maltose diets, while higher pyruvate kinase (PK) activity was recorded in fish fed the glucose diet than in fish fed the starch diet. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities were higher in fish fed the starch diet compared to dextrin and glucose diets. Data suggest that dietary glucose and maltose are more effective than complex carbohydrates in enhancing liver glycolytic activity. Dietary glucose also seems to be more effective than starch in depressing liver gluconeogenic and lipogenic activities. Overall, dietary maltose, dextrin or starch was better utilized than glucose as energy source by gilthead sea bream juveniles.     

Stanniocalcin kinetics in freshwater and seawater european eel (Anguilla anguilla)

The kinetics and hypocalcemic potency of stanniocalcin (STC) were examined in freshwater and seawater eels. The secretion rate and the metabolic clearance rate of STC were calculated from the STC disappearance curve after intra-arterial injection of trout STC. Basal plasma STC concentrations in freshwater and seawater eels did not differ but the STC secretion rate and metabolic clearance rate in seawater eel were 70–75% higher than in FW eel. The increased STC distribution space in seawater eels suggests that the STC receptor density was increased. STC had a higher hypocalcemic potency in seawater than in freshwater eels. These observations support the hypothesis that seawater fish require more hormonal control over transcellular influx of calcium than freshwater fish.To whom correspondence should be addressed.     

Effect of Dietary Carbohydrate‐to‐lipid Ratios on Growth Performance,Body Composition,Hepatic Enzyme Activities,and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Australian Redclaw Crayfish,Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid (CHO : L) ratio for the Australian redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens). Specimens were divided into five treatment groups and fed twice a day to apparent satiation with isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets with dietary CHO : L ratios of 10.75:1, 5.99:1, 3.60:1, 2.18:1, or 1.33:1. Over the 8‐wk growth trial, redclaw crayfish fed the 2.81:1 and 3.60:1 diets exhibited better weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than specimens fed the other diets (P < 0.05). Activities of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase were stimulated by elevated levels of dietary carbohydrate, whereas activities of lipase and alkaline phosphatase were stimulated by elevated levels of dietary lipid. Dietary CHO : L ratios significantly affected digestive enzyme activities (P < 0.05), except for trypsin (P > 0.05). On the basis of the analysis of growth, FCR, and costs of culturing redclaw crayfish, the optimal growth and costs occurred when the dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels were 290.10 g/kg and 80.70 g/kg, respectively, corresponding to a CHO : L ratio of 3.60:1. These results indicate that a CHO : L ratio of 3.60:1 is optimal for rearing redclaw crayfish and that this species uses carbohydrate more efficiently than lipid.     

Non-specific immunity parameters and the formation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), fed high levels of dietary carbohydrates

The effects of long-term hyperglycaemia (5 months), through feeding high levels of dietary carbohydrates, on the non-specific immunity parameters of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), was assessed. Fish were fed one of three diets composed of a basal diet containing ≈ 14% digestible carbohydrate which was progressively diluted with gelatinized potato starch in the following ratios of basal diet to supplemental carbohydrate (gelatinized potato starch): 65:00, 65:20, 65:35. The three diets were pair-fed based on the feed intake of the fish fed the diet containing the highest level of starch (65:35) and representing 100% intake. The other diets were then fed at different levels in a manner that allowed all the groups of fish in the same block to receive the same amount of the basal diet [e.g. the basal diet (undiluted, 65:00) was fed at 65% of the dietary intake of the 65:35 diet]. Blood glucose concentrations and relative liver-to-body size increased with increased dietary carbohydrate intake. Feeding supplemental carbohydrates resulted in a small increase in weight gain of the fish at both supplemental levels. Pronephros tissue lysozyme activity and pronephros macrophage superoxide production were not affected by the dietary treatments. The results suggest the presence of advanced glycosylation end-products in muscle tissue collagen, but were not significantly different between treatments. No substantial effect of long-term feeding of a high carbohydrate diet on the non-specific immunity of rainbow trout was observed. However, the results suggest that dietary carbohydrates may have a slight stimulatory effect on phagocytosis at low–moderate levels.     

Effects of dietary zinc intake upon copper metabolism in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Purified diets with copper levels of 2.5 and 500 mg/kg and dietary zinc levels ranging from 34 to 1000 mg/kg were fed for 20 weeks to rainbow trout of mean initial weight 8 g. Growth and feed conversion were similar in all groups of fish and no gross pathologies were observed. Liver copper levels were greatest in trout given the high copper diets; increasing dietary zinc intake reduced these hepatic copper concentrations. Subcellular fractionation of the livers showed that in all groups of trout 70–80% of the hepatic copper was present in the nuclear and mitochondrial fractions. In contrast, the cytosol and microsomal fractions contained, on average, 73% of the liver zinc. Total liver superoxide dismutase activity was constant in all groups of fish. However, in trout fed the high copper diets the relative proportions of the copper-zinc and the manganese superoxide dismutase were correlated with the dietary zinc intake. Increasing dietary zinc reduced the activity of the manganese enzyme and increased that of the copper-zinc metalloenzyme.     

Influence of dietary carbohydrate on blood chemistry, immunity and disease resistance in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract. The influence of dietary carbohydrate (CHO) on blood chemistry, immunity and disease resistance was studied in two experiments with Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Moist diets with increasing amounts of digestible CHO ranging from 0 to 30% (dry weight) were used. In the first experiment with adult (0.5 kg) fish, blood haemoglobin concentration was negatively correlated with increasing dietary CHO level, while serum glucose and protein did not differ between the groups. Serum cortisol increased linearly in fish fed from 5 to 30% CHO. Serum haemolytic activity was negatively correlated with dietary levels of CHO. Humoral immune responses elicited after vaccination by intraperitoneal injection or by dip immersion with Vibrio salmonicida showed no differences according to diet 10 and 17 weeks post-vaccination. Mortality after challenge with live Aeromonas salmonicida by intraperitoneal injection was lowest in fish fed 10% CHO. In the second experiment with juvenile Atlantic salmon (3g), there were minor differences in body and organ weights. Plasma glucose, protein and cholesterol were elevated in fish fed the highest CHO levels. Fish exposed to immersion challenge with different water concentrations of Vibrio anguillarum showed no statistical differences in mortality. The studies indicate that varying dietary levels of CHO affected immunity and resistance to bacterial infections to a minor extent in Atlantic salmon at low water temperatures during freshwater and seawater stages.     

饲料糖脂比对吉富罗非鱼生长、血液指标和肝脏糖代谢关键酶活性及基因表达的影响

为探讨糖脂比对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能、血液生化指标和肝脏糖代谢关键酶的影响,本实验设计了5种不同糖脂比(1.5、2.3、3.9、7.0、16.5)的等氮等能饲料,以吉富罗非鱼幼鱼为实验对象,进行了为期8周的饲养实验。结果显示,随饲料中糖脂比升高,吉富罗非鱼特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)和蛋白质效率(PER)先升高后降低,糖脂比为3.9和7.0时,WGR、SGR和PER最高。饵料系数(FCR)的变化趋势与此相反,在糖脂比为3.9和7.0组显著低于其他组。随着饲料糖脂比的增加,吉富罗非鱼全鱼粗脂肪含量逐渐下降,在糖脂比为16.5时达到最低水平,但仅与1.5组存在显著差异。血浆甘油三酯在糖脂比最高组也出现显著降低,血浆胆固醇同样在糖脂比最高组显著低于3.9组。然而血糖的变化趋势相反,当糖脂比为16.5时显著高于其他组。随着糖脂比的升高,吉富罗非鱼幼鱼肝脏中丙酮酸激酶(PK)的活性及mRNA表达量逐渐升高,而磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)的活性及mRNA表达水平则逐渐下降。根据二次回归模型得出,在等氮等能的饲料条件下,吉富罗非鱼幼鱼最适宜的糖水平和脂肪水平分别为49.69%和9.53%,其对应的糖脂比为8.4。     

Preliminary observations on the tank and pond culture of the glass eels of the Australian shortfin eel, Anguilla australis Richardson

There is expanding interest in the culture of the Australian shortfin eel Anguilla australis Richardson; however, there is a lack of fundamental biology and husbandry information necessary to further develop an industry within Australia. The present study was undertaken to gain a preliminary understanding of basic husbandry requirements for rearing of juvenile A. australis (glass eels and elvers) in tanks and earthen ponds. Newly caught glass eels were successfully acclimated to culture conditions. During tank culture trials, specific growth rates (SGR) and survival rates ranged from ?2.1 to 2.8% day^?1 and 52% to 100% respectively. Glass eels weaned onto a commercial eel diet exhibited a significantly greater SGR and survival rate than those weaned onto a commercial trout diet. Glass eels weaned onto an eel diet over a 15‐day period grew slightly faster than eels weaned over a 5‐day period, but survival rates were not significantly different for each treatment. SGRs (up to 2.8% day^?1) were significantly higher for glass eels fed at 9 and 12% day^?1 than at 6% day^?1. Stocking densities between 2.5 kg m^?3 and 30 kg m^?3 did not influence either SGR or survival rates. SGRs were significantly higher for glass eels cultured at 25 °C than at lower temperatures. During pond culture trials, SGRs and survival rates ranged from 1.36 to 1.65% day^?1 and 39% to 77% respectively. The SGR and survival rates of juvenile eels stocked into ponds receiving supplementary feeding with a commercial eel diet were not significantly different to those of eels stocked into ponds that did not receive supplementary feeding.     

Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate‐to‐lipid Ratio on Growth Performance,Body Composition,Digestive Enzyme Activities,and Hepatic Enzyme Activities in Juvenile Large Yellow Croaker,Larimichthys crocea

An 8‐wk feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios (CHO : L) on growth performance, body composition, digestive enzyme activities, and hepatic enzyme activities of juvenile large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea. Six isonitrogenous (45% crude protein) and isoenergetic (18 kJ/g gross energy) diets with varying CHO : L ratios (0.07, 0.48, 1.20, 2.19, 4.81, and 10.48) were fed to triplicate groups of large yellow croaker in floating sea cages. Results showed that the highest specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed diets with CHO : L ratio of 2.19. Fish fed the lower (0.07 and 0.48) CHO : L ratios tended to produce lower growth (P < 0.05). The whole‐body lipid content significantly decreased, while hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen content, and plasma glucose concentration significantly increased as dietary CHO : L ratios increased (P < 0.05). Plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased with elevated dietary CHO : L ratios (P < 0.05). The increasing dietary CHO : L ratios significantly stimulated the activities of intestinal amylase and hepatic pyruvate kinase and depressed the activity of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (P < 0.05). Based on a second‐order polynomial regression analysis of SGR, 2.38 was determined as the optimal dietary CHO : L ratio for juvenile large yellow croaker.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio on growth,feed utilization,body composition and digestive enzyme activities of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio (CHO: L) on growth, feed utilization, body composition and digestive enzyme activities of golden pompano, Trachinotus ovatus. Five iso‐nitrogenous (450 g/kg protein) and iso‐energetic (19 MJ/kg gross energy) diets with varying CHO: L ratios of 0.68, 1.02, 1.62, 2.61 and 4.35, respectively, were fed to triplicate groups of 30 fish (average 13.8 ± 0.1 g). Results showed that dietary CHO: L ratios did not show any significant influence on survival of golden pompano (p > .05) but significantly affected its growth performance and feed utilization (p < .05). Fish fed diets with CHO: L ratios at 1.62 and 2.61 exhibited the highest final body weight, weight gain ratio, specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Fish body lipid and liver glycogen contents were also significantly influenced by CHO: L ratio (p < .05). Hepatic amylase activity increased firstly and then decreased as the dietary CHO: L ratio increased, while lipases activity decreased with increasing dietary CHO:L level. The regression model analysis showed that the most suitable dietary CHO: L ratio (protein 450 g/kg) to reach the highest weight gain ratio is 2.38.     

Optimum Dietary Level of L-ascorbic Acid for Japanese Eel, Anguilla japonica

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dietary level of ascorbic acid (AsA) for Japanese eel juveniles using L-ascorbic acid Ca based on growth, AsA content in tissues, hematology, and bactericidal activity of serum with Escherichia coli . Test diets with six levels of AsA (3, 10, 27,126, 645, and 3,135-mg/kg diet) as Ca ascorbate were fed to juvenile Japanese eels (11.0 ± 0.2 g) once a day for 8 wk. High survival rates (> 80%) were observed among all dietary treatment groups. The specific growth rates of the fish fed diets containing 3 and 10-mg AsA/kg were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of other groups. Liver and brain AsA contents of the fish fed diets containing 3, 10, and 27-mg AsA/kg were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the fish fed diets containing 645 and 3,135-mg AsA/kg. Hemoglobin content tended to be higher in the fish fed diets containing 645 and 3,135-mg AsA/kg than those of the fish fed other diets. Hematocrit value and total serum protein content of the fish fed diets containing 645 and 3135 mg AsA/kg were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the other groups. The fish fed diets containing more than 27-mg AsAlkg showed a higher bactericidal activity of serum than the fish fed the diets containing 3-mg and 10-mg AsA/kg. The optimum dietary level of AsA for the Japanese eel juveniles growth was estimated to be more than 27-mg AsA/kg. Furthermore, the inclusion of 645-mg AsA/kg or more also increased the hematocrit, hemoglobin, total serum protein value, and liver and brain vitamin C concentrations.     

Decreasing dietary lipids improves larval survival and growth of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

Shark eggs-based diet is the only diet by which eel larvae can grow to glass eels in captivity. However, the high level of lipids in the diet is suggested to negatively affect eel larvae. This paper examines the effect of defatted shark eggs (DSE) and hen egg yolk (HY) on growth and survival of larvae of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. Lyophilized shark egg and commercial HY were defatted with n-hexane, and four experimental diets were prepared using both defatted and untreated shark eggs and HY. Larvae were reared for 3 weeks by feeding the experimental diets. The highest survival rate was observed in the larvae fed DSE, and larvae fed HY showed the lowest survival rate. The best growth was found in larvae fed DSE, followed by shark eggs and defatted HY, and the worst growth was in HY-fed larvae. These results show that decreasing dietary lipids improves the nutritional value of both shark eggs and HY for eel larvae. Regulation of the dietary lipid level may positively affect the larval performance of eels by combination of ingredients with a low lipid content.     

Does oral 3,5,3 ′-triiodo-l-thyronine affect dietary glucose utilization and plasma insulin levels in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)?

A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effect and interaction of dietary carbohydrate level and triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) supplementation on the growth, physiological response and plasma insulin and cortisol levels of rainbow trout. The oral administration of T₃ significantly increased the growth, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency of trout, indicating an increased protein and perhaps energy utilization in these fish. However, T, administration did not significantly increase the utilization of dietary glucose as an energy source by the trout. Similarly, the administration of T₃ did not significantly affect plasma insulin levels in either the fed or the fasted trout. Plasma insulin levels were significantly higher in fed trout reared on the non-T₃ supplemented high carbohydrate diet in comparison to trout reared on the low carbohydrate diets. This indicates that increased dietary carbohydrate stimulates increased insulin secretion in the trout. Therefore, although rainbow trout are not insulin-deficient, they can still be considered a diabetic-like animal due to their poor glucose tolerance. Plasma cortisol levels were not affected by diet composition and altered plasma glucose levels.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratios on growth,digestive enzyme and blood metabolites of juvenile Brazilian sardines,Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879)

The limited availability of live bait for capturing skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, is a bottleneck to increasing tuna production in many parts of the world. Therefore, a nutrition trial was performed to contribute to the production of the Brazilian sardine, Sardinella brasiliensis, for use as live bait. This study determined the best dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio (CHO:L) for juvenile Brazilian sardines based on growth performance, feed utilisation, body composition, blood metabolites and digestive enzyme activity. Six isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated with increased CHO:L ratios (2.05, 3.41, 4.15, 5.11, 5.80 and 6.72). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 100 fish with mean initial body weight of 2.97 ± 0.51 g, which were fed four times a day to apparent satiation. Survival was not affected by differences in diet, however, a low CHO:L ratio stimulated growth. Juveniles fed with a rich‐carbohydrate diet inhibit feed intake and protein intake. Body lipid increased as dietary lipid increased and was inversely correlated to body moisture. The diets did not affect the juvenile's blood metabolites. Alkaline and acid protease activities were not significantly different, but lipase and amylase responded positively to the dietary lipids and carbohydrates. Using segmented regression, the optimum CHO:L ratio for maximum weight gain of juvenile Brazilian sardines was estimated to be 3.41, which contain approximately 300 g kg^?1 carbohydrate and 88 g kg^?1 lipid.     

Studies on the effect of increasing proportions of sucrose or gelatinized maize starch in diets for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri, R.) on the utilization of dietary energy and protein

Trial 1: eight diets containing between 25 and 54% sucrose and correspondingly between 47 and 23% crude protein were fed to replicate groups of trout for 44 or 45 days. Feed conversion increased only when the sucrose content was above 36% and crude protein correspondingly below 40%. Decreasing the protein content by increasing the proportion of sucrose improved the protein efficiency ratio (PER) between 47 and 40% protein; PER values lower than for the diet containing 47% crude protein were obtained only when the protein concentration was less than 36%.

Trial 2: protein of a fish meal/casein diet was replaced by 10–40% sucrose or gelatinized maize starch. All diets were fed to replicate groups of trout for 60 days. Although gelatinized maize starch did not affect the conversion ratio, with increasing proportions of sucrose in-creasing amounts of feed were required per unit of weight gain. PER values increased with increasing proportions of either carbohydrate. No clear differences could be found in body composition. Efficiency of utilization of gross energy was between 40 and 43% for the basal diet and diets containing gelatinized maize starch, whereas it was reduced to about 31% by increasing the proportion of sucrose to 40%. The percentage of dietary N retained rose from 23 to 29% by increasing sucrose, and to 44% by increasing gelatinized maize starch in the diet.