Effect of dietary betaine on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in blunt snout bream fed a high-fat diet

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary betaine levels on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) with initial body weight 4.3 ± 0.1 g [mean ± SEM]. Five practical diets were formulated to contain normal-fat diet (NFD), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with betaine addition (HFB) at difference levels (0.6, 1.2, 1.8%), respectively. The results showed that the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain ratio (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (CF), and feed intake (FI) (P < 0.05) were obtained in fish fed 1.2% betaine supplementation, whereas feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower in the same group compared to others. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and abdominal fat rate (AFR) were significantly high in fat group compared to the lowest in NDF and 1.2% betaine supplementation, while VSI and survival rate (SR) were not affected by dietary betaine supplementation. Significantly higher (P < 0.05), plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cortisol, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content were observed in HFD but were improved when supplemented with 1.2% betaine. In addition, increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in 1.2% betaine inclusion could reverse the increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) level induced by HFD. Based on the second-order polynomial analysis, the optimum growth of blunt snout bream was observed in fish fed HFD supplemented with 1.2% betaine. HFD upregulated fatty acid synthase messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and downregulated carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein mRNA expression; nevertheless, 1.2% betaine supplementation significantly reversed these HFD-induced effects, implying suppression of fatty acid synthesis, β-oxidation, and lipid transport. This present study indicated that inclusion of betaine (1.2%) can significantly improve growth performance and antioxidant defenses, as well as reduce fatty acid synthesis and enhance mitochondrial β-oxidation and lipid transportation in high-fat diet-fed blunt snout bream, thus effectively alleviating fat accumulation in the liver by changing lipid metabolism.     

Effects of dietary linolenic acid on growth,fatty acid composition,immune function and antioxidant status of juvenile blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

A nine‐week feeding trial was performed to determine the dietary linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n–3) requirements of juvenile blunt snout bream. Six iso‐nitrogenous, semi‐purified diets were prepared with different concentrations of LNA (0–25 g/kg). Dietary LNA had no significant effects on survival rate. However, final fish weight, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) increased with increasing dietary LNA concentrations up to 20 g/kg. Dietary LNA increased muscle LNA and total n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents, but decreased total saturated fatty acid content. Fish fed 20 g/kg LNA had the highest plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, total protein, albumin and white blood cell count levels. Additionally, fish fed 20 g/kg LNA had higher triglyceride levels than control fish. Plasma glucose increased with increasing dietary LNA concentrations. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly increased with increasing dietary LNA concentrations up to 15 g/kg. Based on SGR and FER, the optimal dietary LNA requirements of juvenile blunt snout bream were 17.5 and 15.6 g/kg respectively.     

Effects of complete fish meal replacement by rice protein concentrate with or without lysine supplement on growth performance,muscle development and flesh quality of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of fish meal (FM) replacement by rice protein concentrate (RPC) with supplementation of microcapsule lysine (ML) or crystalline lysine (CL) on growth performance, muscle development and flesh quality of blunt snout bream. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated, including FM diet (containing 50 g/kg FM), RPC diet (FM replaced by RPC), MRPC diet (FM replaced by RPC with ML supplementation) and CRPC diet (FM replaced by RPC with CL supplementation). Fish fed FM diet had significantly higher weight gain, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and nitrogen and energy utilization than that of RPC group, but showed no statistical difference with other treatments. In addition, fish fed RPC diet showed higher muscle fibre frequency in the 20‐ to 50‐μm class but lower >50‐μm class and higher cooking loss than that of the other groups. Furthermore, no significant difference was found in whole‐body proximate compositions, frequency distribution of <20‐μm‐diameter fibres, texture, muscle content, collagen, pH 24 hr post‐mortem and sensory quality. The results showed that RPC supplemented with ML or CL could replace fishmeal without any adverse effects on growth performance and flesh quality for blunt snout bream.     

Growth Performance,Fatty Acid Composition,Peroxisome Proliferator‐activated Receptors Gene Expressions,and Antioxidant Abilities of Blunt Snout Bream,Megalobrama amblycephala,Fingerlings Fed Different Dietary Oil Sources

A 60‐d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary oil sources on growth, fatty acid composition, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) gene expression levels, and antioxidant responses of blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala, fingerlings. Fish (average initial weight, 0.35 ± 0.01 g) were fed five experimental diets respectively containing fish oil (FO), soybean oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and palm oil (PaO). Results showed that body weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio did not significantly differ among treatments. Fish fed PaO diet showed significantly higher hepatosomatic index value and liver lipid content than those fed FO diet. The FO group showed significantly higher liver eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) + docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) concentrations than other groups in both neutral lipid and polar lipid fractions. The mRNA expression levels of PPAR‐α and PPAR‐γ in the liver were significantly increased by feeding vegetable oil diets compared to FO. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in livers of fish fed PaO diet were lower than those fed FO diet. Meanwhile, PaO group had significantly lower malondialdehyde value than other groups. In conclusion, we suggested that a combination of FO and vegetable oil diet should be used in feed formulations for blunt snout bream fingerlings.     

甘草次酸对团头鲂生长、脂肪沉积与抗氧化功能的影响

为探讨甘草次酸对团头鲂生长、脂肪沉积和抗氧化功能的影响,选取均体质量为(15.63±0.04)g的团头鲂幼鱼420尾,随机分在15个网箱中,分别以甘草次酸水平为0、0.15、0.30、0.45和0.60 g/kg的5种饲料投喂8周。结果发现,饲料添加甘草次酸对团头鲂增重率、特定生长率、饵料系数没有显著影响(P0.05)。甘草次酸可以显著降低实验鱼脏体比、肝体比、腹脂率及肝脏脂肪含量(P0.05),但对全鱼体组成和肌肉脂肪含量无显著影响(P0.05)。比对血浆脂肪代谢酶可见,0.30~0.60 g/kg甘草次酸添加组血浆总胆固醇含量较对照组显著下降(P0.05);而甘油三酯、游离脂肪酸和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量无显著变化(P0.05)。肝脏中脂蛋白酯酶、肝酯酶和总酯酶活性在添加甘草次酸后显著降低(P0.05);0.30~0.60 g/kg甘草次酸添加组脂肪酶活性显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。饲料添加甘草次酸可以显著提高肝脏超氧化物歧化酶活性和还原型谷胱甘肽含量,降低丙二醛含量(P0.05)。研究表明,饲料中添加0.30~0.45 g/kg甘草次酸时,显著降低了团头鲂内脏团的脂肪沉积,改善了鱼体脂肪分布,这可能是由于甘草次酸加强脂解作用,提高脂肪代谢酶活性导致的;饲料中添加甘草次酸也可显著提高团头鲂的抗氧化能力。     

Effects of dietary tryptophan levels on growth performance,whole body composition and gene expression levels related to glycometabolism for juvenile blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

To investigate the effects of dietary tryptophan on growth and glycometabolism in juvenile blunt snout bream, 450 fish (initial weight 23.33 ± 0.03 g) were fed six practical diets with graded levels of tryptophan (from 0.79 g/kg to 5.96 g/kg dry matter) for 8 weeks. Results showed that final weight, per cent weight gain (PWG), protein efficiency rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly improved by 2.80 g/kg diet. The maximum values of protein and ash were observed in 2.80 g/kg diet, while moisture was minimum. Lipid content of fish fed 3.95 g/kg diet was significantly higher than other diets. The highest plasma insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) content was observed in 0.79 g/kg diet. In the liver, IGF‐1 mRNA levels were significantly downregulated by 2.80 g/kg dietary tryptophan, while glucokinase levels were by 3.95 g/kg, while glucose‐6‐phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA levels showed a converse trend compared with IGF‐1. Based on PWG and FCR, the optimal dietary tryptophan level was determined to be 1.99 g/kg (6.20 g/kg of dietary protein) and 1.96 g/kg (6.11 g/kg of dietary protein), respectively, using broken‐line regression analysis.     

Effects of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on growth performance,fatty acid profile and lipogenesis of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Six diets were designed to investigate the effects of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3; DHA) levels (0.5, 1.3, 2.3, 4.2, 8.1 and 15.9 g/kg diets) on growth performance, fatty acid profile and expression of some lipogenesis‐related genes of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Fish (average weight: 26.40 ± 0.11 g) were randomly fed one of six diets for 8 weeks. Results indicated that the final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed 1.3 g/kg DHA were significantly higher than other groups except for the 2.3 g/kg DHA (p < .05). Compared with other groups, the number of lipid droplet clusters of the liver stained with oil red O in the 2.3 g/kg DHA group was the highest, which was consistent with the lipid contents of whole body and liver. The DHA proportion in liver and muscle significantly increased with the increasing dietary DHA levels (p < .05), which reflected fatty acid profiles of diets. The highest mRNA expressions of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase α (ACCα), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1 (SREBP‐1) occurred in the 1.3 g/kg DHA group, followed by 2.3 g/kg DHA. In summary, the supplementation of 1.3–2.3 g/kg DHA could improve growth performance and lipogenesis, and the dietary DHA could improve DHA and PUFA proportion in liver and muscle.     

胆碱对高脂胁迫的团头鲂肝脏抗氧化、组织结构和免疫力的影响

以初始体质量(42.20±0.34)g团头鲂为研究对象,研究饲料中添加胆碱对高脂胁迫团头鲂肝脏抗氧化、组织结构和免疫力的影响。实验采用2×2因子设计方法,共配置2个脂肪水平(5%和15%)和2个胆碱水平(1200和2200 mg/kg)的等氮饲料4组。养殖实验在室内循环水系统中进行,养殖周期为8周。养殖实验结束后进行血液和肝脏生化指标、肝脏抗氧化指标和非特异性免疫指标等的检测分析,以及观察肝细胞的超微结构变化。结果显示,当饲料中添加1200 mg/kg胆碱时,随着脂肪水平的升高,团头鲂肝脏脂肪含量和甘油三酯浓度显著增加,而血浆中谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性则显著上升;肝脏中丙二醛(MDA)含量、总超氧化物歧化酶(t-SOD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性等显著升高;血液中白细胞数、溶菌酶活性、总蛋白和球蛋白水平以及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)活性显著降低;超微结构观察到肝细胞中存在大量脂滴,伴随着细胞核变性、核膜残缺、线粒体水肿等异常现象。这些结果表明高脂日粮不仅导致肝细胞的结构和功能的损伤,而且造成肝脏氧化应激和机体免疫力的下降。在高脂饲料(15%脂肪)中添加2200 mg/kg胆碱,可显著降低肝脏脂肪含量、血浆谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性,显著降低肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,并显著提高白细胞数和球蛋白水平以及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)活性,同时肝细胞形态及细胞器结构也趋于正常。研究表明,添加适量胆碱能够减少肝脏脂肪沉积,维持肝脏结构和功能的正常,并增强团头鲂抗氧化能力和机体免疫力,继而保持鱼体的健康。     

Tributyrin‐supplemented high‐soya bean meal diets of juvenile black sea bream,Acanthopagrus schlegelii: Study on growth performance and intestinal morphology and structure

An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of tributyrin supplementation in a high‐soya bean meal diet on juvenile black sea bream (11.30 ± 0.16 g). The positive control (PC) diet contained 45% fishmeal and 20% soya bean meal, while the negative control (NC) contained 12% fishmeal and 45% soya bean meal. Graded levels of tributyrin were added to the NC diet at 0.05% (TB 0.05), 0.1% (TB 0.1), 0.2% (TB 0.2), 0.4% (TB 0.4) and 0.8% (TB 0.8). Ultimately, the fish fed the PC diet had a higher weight gain and specific growth rate than the fish fed other diets. The fish fed the NC diet had the lowest growth, and TB 0.05–TB 0.2 diets increased growth performance while TB 0.4–TB 0.8 diets caused reduction in growth. Dietary tributyrin supplementation improved protease activity and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Compared with the fish fed the NC diet, the fish fed the tributyrin‐supplemented diets had improved gut morphology and structure, and the results were similar to those of the fish fed the PC diet. Furthermore, the analysis of the dose response with second‐order polynomial regression indicated that the optimum tributyrin supplementation for juvenile black sea bream is 2.24 g/kg in the 45% soya bean meal diet.     

Dietary histidine affects intestinal antioxidant enzyme activities,antioxidant gene expressions and inflammatory factors in juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Six semipurified diets of graded histidine levels (from 4.1 to 14.2 g/kg) were fed to fish for 8 weeks. The results showed that the intestinal content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were noticeably lower in 8.0 g/kg diet compared to control group. While the lowest activities of copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‐SOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD) were observed in 9.9 g/kg diet, the intestinal activities of total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and catalase (CAT) in 14.2 g/kg diet were noticeably higher than those in 8.0 and 9.9 g/kg diets. Plasma biochemical indexes were not significantly affected by dietary histidine levels. In the intestine, the Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) mRNA levels were increased in 8.0 g/kg diet, which suppressed the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), and subsequently decreased CAT, GPx1, Cu/Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD expression levels. The lowest mRNA levels of interleukin 8 (IL‐8) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were observed in 8.0 g/kg diet, whereas the highest mRNA levels of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and interleukin 10 (IL‐10) were observed in 8.0 g/kg diet. These results indicated that dietary histidine plays a major role in maintaining intestinal health in juvenile blunt snout bream.     

Dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile blunt snout bream. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated to contain graded isoleucine levels ranging from 5.3 to 20.1 g kg^?1 dry diet. At the end of the experiment, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with increasing dietary isoleucine level up to 11.1 g kg^?1 dry diet, and dietary isoleucine level above 14.2 g kg^?1 dry diet declined these performances. Dietary isoleucine levels (14.2 and 17.3 g kg^?1 dry diet) significantly improved whole‐body protein content, but decreased whole‐body lipid, plasma triglyceride and cholesterol contents. Significantly lower visceral fat index (VFI) in fish fed with 14.2 g kg^?1 dietary isoleucine was observed compared to those fed with deficient or excessive isoleucine. Dietary isoleucine supplementation significantly increased plasma isoleucine concentration, while plasma valine and leucine concentrations showed a reversed trend. Dietary isoleucine levels regulated the target of rapamycin (TOR) gene expression and improved plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in juvenile blunt snout bream. Based on second‐order polynomial regression model analysis of SGR and FER, the optimum dietary isoleucine requirement was estimated to be 13.8 g kg^?1 dry diet (40.6 g kg^?1 dietary protein) and 14.0 g kg^?1 dry diet (41.2 g kg^?1 dietary protein), respectively.     

Effect of mixed protein schedules combined with choline and betaine on the growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Reducing feed cost has been a major issue in fish nutrition. Mixed protein schedules have been proposed as one of the methods successfully tested in many fish species to reduce feed cost. Meanwhile, the effect of dietary choline and betaine supplementation on fish performance was assessed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of mixed protein schedules, combined with choline and betaine, on Nile tilapia performance. This experiment was conducted in a (4 × 3) factorial arrangement of treatments. Four mixed protein schedules were examined, in the presence of choline 0.3% and/or betaine 0.5%. The four mixed protein schedules were achieved by alternating diet (A; 31%CP) and diet (B; 24%CP) as follows: (6 days‐A), (5 days‐A/1 day‐B), (4 days‐A/2 days‐B) and (3 days‐A/3 days‐B). The results indicated that in the presence of betaine 0.5% and choline 0.3%, the optimal mixed protein schedule for tilapia was (3A/3B). Fish fed on the 4A/2B or 3A/3B schedules utilized protein more efficiently than fish fed on the (6A) schedule. Fish fed diets supplemented with betaine (b) only showed the highest energy retention. The lowest feed cost was recorded for fish fed on (3A/3B) in the presence of betaine 0.5% and choline 0.3% in fish diet.     

Prebiotics effect on growth performance,hepatic intermediary metabolism,gut microbiota and digestive enzymes of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus)

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of short‐chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on growth performance, hepatic metabolism, gut microbiota and digestive enzymes activities of white sea bream juveniles. Four diets were formulated: a control diet with fish meal (FM) and plant feedstuffs (PF) (30FM:70PF) and three test diets similar to control but supplemented with 10 g of scFOS, XOS or GOS per kilo diet, which were fed to fish during 12 weeks. Prebiotics had no effect on growth, feed efficiency or gut microbiota. Plasmatic triglycerides were lower in fish fed XOS than FOS and GOS diets. Malic enzyme activity was lower in fish fed XOS than FOS diet. Fish fed XOS diet had lower fatty acid synthetase (FAS), a key lipogenic enzyme and higher alanine aminotransferase activities. Fifteen days after the start of the trial, an enhancement of total alkaline protease, trypsin and lipase activities was observed in fish fed prebiotics, but such effect disappeared at 12 weeks. In conclusion, scFOS, XOS or GOS seem to have limited applicability in white sea bream feed.     

Dietary choline requirement for juvenile blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine dietary choline requirement for juvenile Megalobrama amblycephala. The basal diet was formulated to contain 310 g kg^?1 diet from vitamin‐free casein and gelatine. Choline chloride was supplemented to the basal diet to formulate six purified diets containing 0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg kg^?1, respectively. Each diet was randomly fed to quadrupled groups of Megalobrama amblycephala with initial average weight 1.84 ± 0.04 g in a flow‐through system. Results showed weight gain was increased significantly with increasing dietary choline levels (P < 0.01). Lipid content of liver decreased significantly as dietary choline concentration increased (P < 0.01), whereas lipid content of dressed carcass showed opposite trend (P < 0.01), and lipid content of whole‐body was unaffected by dietary choline supplementation. Broken‐ line regression of weight gain, liver and muscle choline concentration showed choline requirements of Megalobrama amblycephala of 1198, 1525 and 1365 mg kg^?1, respectively. In addition, dietary choline supplementation significantly improved lipid content of dressed carcass but not the content of whole body of blunt snout bream.     

Influence of dietary protein level on growth performance,digestibility and activity of immunity‐related enzymes of leopard coral grouper,Plectropomus leopardus (Lacépède, 1802)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to assess the interaction between dietary protein levels and fish growth, digestibility and activity of immunity‐related enzymes of Plectropomus leopardus. Five diets with different protein levels (400 g/kg, 450 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 550 g/kg and 600 g/kg protein) were designed. P. leopardus fed with 500 g/kg, 550 g/kg and 600 g/kg dietary protein, showed higher weight gain rates than fish fed 400 g/kg and 450 g/kg dietary protein. Ingestion rate in fish fed with 500 g/kg dietary protein was significantly higher than those with other diets. P. leopardus fed with 500 g/kg, 550 g/kg and 600 g/kg dietary protein, showed that feed coefficients were significantly lower than those fed with 400 g/kg and 450 g/kg dietary protein. Net protein utilization was significantly lower in fish fed with 400 g/kg diet than those with other diets. Fish fed with 400 g/kg and 450 g/kg dietary protein had an apparent feed digestibility coefficient for dry matter that was significantly lower than that with other diets. Protease activity was highest in fish fed on 500 g/kg dietary protein. Fish fed with 500 g/kg dietary protein, had the highest superoxide dismutase activity. Fish fed with 600 g/kg dietary protein, had the highest alkaline phosphatase activity. Thus, a diet containing 500 g/kg protein is recommended for P. leopardus aquaculture.     

Dietary choline requirement of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

An eight‐week study was conducted to determine the optimum dietary choline level in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Seven diets were prepared to contain 0, 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg/kg diet. Juveniles (5.9 ± 0.03 g; 5.5 ± 0.4 cm; mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 21 tanks (25 fish/tank) and fed one of the diets in triplicates. Survival rate of fish fed the diet containing the lowest choline level was significantly lower than those of fish fed the other diets (p < 0.05). Final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio significantly increased with increasing choline levels up to 1,000 mg/kg diet. Whole‐body protein and lipid contents increased in accordance with choline levels up to 750 mg/kg diet, beyond which they plateaued. Liver and muscle lipid contents elevated with increasing choline levels up to 2,000 mg/kg diet. Plasma cholesterol esters, triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids were significantly influenced by the graded choline levels; however, responses of those indices were not identical. Broken‐line analyses of weight gain and liver choline concentrations responding to the graded choline levels revealed that choline requirements of the juvenile flounder could be between 847 and 1,047 mg/kg diet.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with coconut oil on the growth,fatty acid profiles and some lipid metabolism relative gene expressions of orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides

This study investigated the effects of coconut oil as a dietary supplement on the growth, lipid metabolism and related gene expressions of juvenile orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides. Coconut oil at concentrations of 0, 10, 30 and 50 g/kg was used to replace dietary lipids in a basal diet containing 150 g/kg lipids. The four experimental diets were, respectively, fed to triplicate groups of juvenile groupers (initial weight: 8.53 ± 0.13 g) in a recirculating system for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 50 g/kg coconut oil exhibited lower (p < .05) weight gain than did fish fed the diet containing 30 g/kg coconut oil; however, no significant differences in weight gain were observed between fish fed diets containing 0 and 10 g/kg coconut oil. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid elongase, fatty acid desaturase and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma gene expressions were all the highest in fish fed the diet containing 10 g/kg coconut oil. Fish fed the coconut oil‐free basal diet demonstrated upregulated gene expression of neuropeptide Y. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with 10 g/kg coconut oil exerted beneficial effects on lipid metabolism by E. coioides.