Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth performance,fatty acid composition and antioxidant‐related gene expressions in juvenile loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Dojo loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) is one of the most important cultured freshwater fish in several East Asian countries. However, a little information is available in its nutritional requirements. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding varying levels of dietary protein and lipid on growth, fatty acid composition and antioxidant‐related gene expressions in juvenile loach. Six practical diets at three levels of protein (30%, 40% and 50%) and two levels of lipid (6% and 12%) were fed to loach juveniles (initial weight 0.40 g) in triplicated groups (20 fish per replicated) for a period of 8 weeks. Results showed that regardless of lipid level, body weight gain of fish was significantly increased with incremental dietary protein level. Meanwhile, feed conversion ratio was significantly decreased by dietary protein levels, and the lowest value was observed in fish fed dietary protein levels of 50%, regardless of dietary lipid level. Moreover, the percentage of 22:6n‐3 in viscera was significantly increased by different protein levels. The expression level of catalase was significantly increased with incremental dietary protein level with both lipid levels. Meanwhile, the expression level of hepatic nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) was downregulated with incremental dietary protein level with 6% of lipid level, but the expression was upregulated with incremental dietary protein level with 12% of lipid level. In conclusion, these data suggested that 6% lipid and 50% protein in diet was optimal for loach during early development stage.     

Effects of different dietary vitamin C supplementations on growth performance,mucus immune responses and antioxidant status of loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Cantor) juveniles

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of different dietary vitamin C levels on growth performance, immune response and antioxidant capacity of loach juveniles. Six isonitrogenous (58.6% of crude protein), isoenergetic (17.5 kJ g^?1) practical diets supplemented with 0 (VC0), 100 (VC100), 200 (VC200), 500 (VC500), 1000 (VC1000) and 5000 mg kg^?1 (VC5000) of VC (35% ascorbic acid equivalent) were fed to fish (mean initial weight 0.11 ± 0.02 g) in triplicate. Results showed that fish fed VC0 diet had significantly lower body weight gain (BWG) and survival rate (SR). However, BWG and SR improved significantly in fish fed VC100 and VC200 diet respectively. Whole body ascorbic acid concentration increased with incremental dietary VC levels from 0 to 100 mg kg^?1. The activity of mucus alkaline phophatase was significantly increased by the dietary VC level. Incremental levels of VC significantly reduced activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase. Moreover, fish fed diets containing more than 100 mg kg^?1 VC significantly down‐regulated the superoxide dismutase and GPx mRNA expression in liver. Meanwhile, the expressions of liver heat shock protein (HSP70) and nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related‐2 (Nrf2) were affected by fish fed diets containing VC from 100 to 5000 mg kg^?1. In conclusion, VC requirement of loach juveniles for optimum growth and functionally preventing lipid peroxidation was more than 200 mg kg^?1 of diet. Moreover, high dose of VC supplementation did not show any detrimental effects on loach growth performance.     

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on growth,lipid peroxidation and fatty acid composition of Dojo loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Cantor) fingerlings

A high mortality of cultured loach during their early development has constrained loach aquaculture industry in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation on growth performance, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid composition of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus fingerlings. Six test diets supplemented with 0 (0E), 50 (50E), 100 (100E), 150 (150E), 200 (200E) and 500 mg kg^?1 (500E) of dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate were fed loach fingerlings (mean initial weight 24.0 ± 0.2 mg) in triplicate for 40 days. Results showed that the fish fed diet 100E and 200E had significantly higher body weight gains and specific growth ratios and significantly lower feed conversion ratios compared with fish fed diet 0E. With the increase in dietary VE level, whole‐body VE content was significantly increased (except 500E) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value was significantly reduced. Increasing dietary VE level increased the percentages of 20:4n‐6 and 20:5n‐3 in neutral lipid fraction, but decreased the percentages of 20:4n‐6 and 20:5n‐3 in polar lipid fraction. In conclusion, VE requirement of loach fingerlings for optimum growth and functionally preventing lipid peroxidation was 136.1 mg kg^?1 of dry diet under the present experimental conditions.     

Effects of dietary n‐3HUFA on different growth stages of the white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei: Growth,haematological characteristics,enzyme activities and fatty acid profiles

This study investigated the effects of n‐3 high unsaturated fatty acid (n‐3HUFA) levels on the growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities and fatty acid profiles of both subadult and adult Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei). Seven iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic diets were used, containing n‐3HUFA concentrations of 1.6 (control), 4.8, 7.4, 13.9, 23.9, 29.2 and 34.4 g/kg, respectively. Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to determine the dietary n‐3HUFA requirements of L. vannamei with an initial body weight of 4.25 ± 0.00 g (subadults) and 8.50 ± 0.01 g (adults). The results showed that the dietary n‐3HUFA level significantly affected the weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate, the feed conversion ratio and the hepatosomatic index (HSI) (p < 0.05), but did not significantly affect the survival rate (p > 0.05). At appropriate level, dietary n‐3HUFA improved growth performance and HSI of both subadult and adult L. vannamei. Both subadults and adults showed significant differences in body composition (p < 0.05), except for moisture and crude ash (p > 0.05). Cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein significantly decreased with increasing dietary n‐3HUFA both in subadults and adults (p < 0.05); however, triglyceride showed no significant change (p > 0.05). High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) in subadults was significantly affected by dietary n‐3HUFA (p < 0.05), but followed no apparent regularity; HDL significantly changed in adults and showed an upward trend followed by a downward trend (p < 0.05). There was no significant effect on aspartate transaminase (AST) activity in subadults, but AST in adults and alanine transaminase (ALT) in subadults and adults were significantly affected (p < 0.05). Dietary n‐3HUFA significantly affected serum polyphend oxidase, malic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and sodium‐potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme activities in gills (p < 0.05). The fatty acid composition of the shrimp tissue was associated with the fatty acid composition of the diet. Dietary n‐3HUFA supplementation significantly improved the contents of tissue ∑HUFA and n‐3HUFA, increased the n‐3/n‐6 ratio in the tail muscle and decreased the contents of tissue polyunsaturated fatty acid and saturated fatty acid (p < 0.05). Based on the WGR, the broken‐line equations indicated that the optimum requirements of dietary n‐3HUFA were determined to be 9.0 and 5.1 g/kg for subadult and adult L. vannamei, respectively.     

Effect of dietary arachidonic acid levels on growth performance,hepatic fatty acid profile,intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses for juvenile Synechogobius hasta

An 8‐week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) levels on growth performance, hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses for juvenile Synechogobius hasta. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with arachidonic oil (containing 400 g ARA kg^?1) at inclusion levels of 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 g kg^?1 to replace corn oil. Dietary ARA levels were 0.6, 8.6, 16.7, 32.7 and 64.8 g kg^?1 total fatty acids (FAs), respectively. Fish fed the 8.6–32.7 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs showed the highest weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed intake. By contrast, feed conversion ratio was the lowest for fish fed the 8.6–32.7 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs. Increasing ARA and total n‐6 fatty acid contents and declining linoleic acid content in liver were observed in fish fed the diet containing increasing dietary ARA levels. As a consequence, ∑n‐6/∑n‐3 ratios increased with increasing dietary ARA levels. Dietary ARA levels significantly influenced several enzymatic activities involved in hepatic intermediary metabolism, such as succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase. Superoxide dismutase activity increased with increasing dietary ARA levels. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities and malondialdehyde levels in liver tended to increase with increasing dietary ARA levels from 0.6 to 32.7 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs then declined when dietary ARA levels further increased to 64.8 g ARA kg^?1 total FAs. Broken‐line regression analysis of SGR against dietary ARA level indicated that optimal dietary ARA requirement for juvenile S. hasta was 10.74 g kg^?1 total FAs.     

Effects of dietary n‐3HUFA on juvenile white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei: Growth,feed utilization,antioxidant enzymes activities and fatty acid compositions

Present study investigates the effects of n‐3 high‐unsaturated fatty acid (n‐3HUFA) levels on growth performance, antioxidant enzymes activities and fatty acid compositions of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. These represented seven iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic diets. Analysed n‐3HUFA concentrations were 0.16% (control), 0.48%, 0.74%, 1.39%, 2.39%, 2.92% and 3.44% respectively. A total of 840 juvenile L. vannamei were randomly stocked into 21 0.5 m³ tanks for 56 days. A significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed from 0.16% to 0.74% n‐3HUFA and a decrease when n‐3HUFA was above these levels in weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and low‐density lipoprotein in serum showed a significant decrease, high‐density lipoprotein showed a significant increase (p < 0.05). Phenoloxidase activity in serum and sodium‐potassium adenosine triphosphatase activity in gill were significantly affected by dietary n‐3HUFA (p < 0.05), both of them showing a downward trend after upward. Malic dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase activities in serum were also significantly affected by dietary n‐3HUFA (p < 0.05), which rose first and then decreased in general, both of them have a maximum in 2.39% group. No significant differences of the activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were observed among all groups (p > 0.05). With dietary n‐3HUFA increase, both ∑HUFA and n‐3HUFA contents gradually increased in hepatopancreas and tail muscles (p < 0.05). Based on broken‐line regression analysis of WGR, the optimal n‐3HUFA requirement is 0.89% for juvenile L. vannamei with initial weight of 0.50 ± 0.01 g.     

Effects of dietary lipid levels on the growth,fatty acid profile and fecundity in the oriental river prawn,Macrobrachium nipponense

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid levels on growth performance, fatty acid profile and fecundity in the oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense. Five isonitrogenous experimental diets were formulated with graded lipid levels [A (5.02%), B (5.98%), C (6.91%), D (7.91%) and E (8.89%) respectively]. The results indicated that the values of body weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention presented a similar trend of increasing first and then decreased with increasing dietary lipid levels. Furthermore, prawns fed diets containing 6.91% lipid showed the best values on these parameters among all the treatments. EPA, DHA and n‐3/n‐6PUFA contents showed associated increasing with the increase in lipid deposition of prawn muscle. The activities of hepatopancreatic amylase, protease and lipase were also significantly (p < .05) improved by dietary 6.91% lipid. Increasing dietary lipid levels could not suppress early maturation with no differences detected in berried females throughout the feeding trial. Significant lower relative fecundity may contribute to describing the dietary moderate lipid level (6.91%) could promote the growth of spawners and decrease spawning quantity. The recommendation dietary lipid requirement, estimated by the broken‐line model based on specific growth rate against dietary lipid levels, was 7.19% of the dry matter for M. nipponense.     

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.     

Conjugated linoleic acid affects growth performance,hepatic fatty acid profile and lipid metabolism in juvenile Synechogobius hasta

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid) levels on growth performance, fatty acid profiles and lipid metabolism of liver in Synechogobius hasta. Fish were fed six diets with fish oil replaced by 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g kg^?1 CLA for 8 weeks. Weight gain, WG, and SGR (specific growth rate) tended to increase when dietary CLA levels increased from 0 to 10 g kg^?1 and then decline with further increasing dietary CLA levels to 25 g kg^?1. FCR (feed conversion ratio) showed contrary trend with WG and SGR. The reduced VSI (vicero somatic index) and increased HSI (hepatosomatic index) were observed in fish fed increasing dietary CLA levels. Whole‐body lipid content declined, but hepatic lipid content increased with increasing dietary CLA levels. Dietary CLA modified total percentages of the main groups of fatty acids in liver. Hepatic 6PGD, ME and ICDH activities increased with increasing dietary CLA levels. FAS and G6PD were very variable and not related to dietary treatments. CPT I activities showed no significant differences among the treatments. Based on second‐order polynomial regression analysis of WG and FCR against dietary CLA level, 8.7–10.1 g kg^?1 was indicated to be the optimal dietary CLA range for maximum growth and feed utilization for S. hasta.     

Effect of dietary iron (Fe) levels on growth performance,hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidant responses in juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

This study was conducted to determine effects of dietary Fe levels on growth performance, hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidant response for juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Yellow catfish were fed six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets containing Fe levels of 16.20, 34.80, 54.50, 76.44, 100.42 and 118.25 mg/kg for 8 weeks. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased with dietary Fe levels from 16.20 to 54.50 mg/kg diet and then plateaued over the level. Feed conversion rate (FCR) was highest and protein efficiency rate (PER) was lowest for fish fed the lowest Fe levels of diet. Fe contents in whole body and liver increased with increasing dietary Fe levels. Hepatic lipid content was lowest, but mRNA levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT‐1) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) were highest for fish fed 54.50 mg Fe/kg diet. Fish fed adequate dietary Fe levels reduced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and GS. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis of WG against dietary Fe levels, optimal dietary Fe requirement for yellow catfish was 55.73 mg Fe/kg diets. Fe‐induced changes in MDA levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities paralleled with the change in hepatic lipid content, suggesting the potential relationship between oxidative stress and hepatic lipid accumulation in yellow catfish.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement with blended vegetable oils on growth,lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of subadult swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

A 120‐day trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary fish oil replacement with vegetable oils on growth, lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of subadult swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to replace 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000g/kg of fish oil with a mixture of soybean and rapeseed oil (defined as D1–D5), and each treatment had 30 replicate crabs. Dietary fish oil replacement had no significant effects on growth of the crabs, while the D3 had the highest hepatosomatic index and total lipids in hepatopancreas. The triglyceride and lipase activities in hepatopancreas increased significantly with increasing dietary fish oil replacement. The D4 had the highest levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the hepatopancreas, as well as the haemolymph ALP, ACP and peroxidase. The highest levels of haemolymph total antioxidant capacity, catalase and malondialdehyde were detected in D1. Total n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels in hepatopancreas decreased significantly with increasing dietary fish oil replacement. In conclusion, dietary fish oil replacement had no significant effects on growth of P. trituberculatus, and 500g/kg of fish oil replacement could improve antioxidant capacity, but excessive replacement level will enhance lipid accumulation and peroxidation in the hepatopancreas.     

饲料中花生四烯酸含量对刺参生长性能、抗氧化能力及脂肪酸代谢的影响

为探究饲料中添加花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid,ARA)对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)生长性能、抗氧化能力及脂肪酸代谢的影响,选用初始体重为(10.78±0.06)g的刺参为研究对象,以鱼粉和发酵豆粕为主要蛋白质源,小麦粉为主要糖源制作基础饲料,通过在基础饲料中添加不同比例的ARA-纯化油,制成ARA含量分别为0.02%(对照组)、0.17%、0.36%、0.51%、0.59%和0.98%(占饲料干重)的6组等氮等脂的实验饲料,在室内循环水养殖系统进行为期56 d的养殖实验。结果表明,随着饲料中ARA含量的升高,刺参增重率(weight gain rate,WGR)呈先上升后降低的趋势,0.36%和0.51%ARA饲料组刺参WGR显著高于其他处理组(P0.05),刺参的特定生长率(specific growth rate,SGR)和饲料效率(feed efficiency,FE)与WGR具有相同的变化趋势;刺参体壁粗脂肪含量随饲料ARA含量升高呈先降低后升高的趋势,在0.51%ARA饲料组含量最低,且显著低于对照组与0.98%ARA饲料组(P0.05);同时,随饲料中ARA含量的提高,刺参体壁中ARA和n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-6 PUFA)含量呈显著上升趋势,而二十碳五烯酸(eicosapentaenioc acid,EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(docosahexaenoic acid,DHA)和n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-3 PUFA)含量显著降低(P0.05);抗氧化能力方面,0.36%和0.51%ARA饲料组刺参肠道中超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)和总抗氧化能力酶(total antioxidant capacity enzyme,T-AOC)活性均显著高于对照组与0.98%ARA饲料组(P0.05),而肠道丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量呈相反的变化趋势(P0.05);刺参肠道中脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthase,FAS)和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(acetyl-Co A carboxylase,ACC)活性随饲料ARA含量的升高呈显著降低趋势(P0.05);刺参肠道中肉毒碱棕榈酰转移酶-1(carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1,CPT-1)活性随饲料ARA含量升高呈先升高后降低的趋势(P0.05)。研究表明,在本实验条件下,饲料中添加适量ARA(0.36%~0.51%)能够对刺参生长、抗氧化能力起到一定的促进作用,同时结果显示,饲料ARA含量会对刺参肠道内脂肪酸代谢产生一定的影响。     

Effects of dietary phospholipids levels on growth performance,lipid metabolism,and antioxidant capacity of the early juvenile green mud crab,Scylla paramamosain (Estampador)

Four iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic diets were designed to investigate the effects of dietary phospholipids (PL) levels (with 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% PL supplementation) on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity in early juvenile green mud crab (Scylla paramamosain). There were three replicates of 28 crabs (initial body weight from 42.02 to 42.44 mg) for each diet treatment, and growth trial lasted for 8 weeks. At the end of the growth trial, there was no significant difference in survival among all treatments. Crabs fed diet with 2% PL obtained highest weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate than other crabs. The molting frequency was not affected by different dietary PL addition. Besides, the contents of whole body lipid and long chain highly unsaturated fatty acids significantly increased with elevating dietary PL levels. In the hepatopancreas, crabs fed diet with 0% PL had significantly higher malondialdehyde concentration than other crabs. And crabs fed diet with 2% PL obtained significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity than crabs fed diets with 0% and 4% PL. Moreover, the mRNA expression of Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase was significantly down‐regulated with dietary PL supplementation over 2%. Based on the second order polynomial regression analysis of WG, 2.37% dietary PL level was the optimal demand for early juvenile S. paramamosain. Moreover, we found crabs fed diet with 2% PL obtained better antioxidant capacity than other crabs.     

Effects of malic acid and citric acid on growth performance,antioxidant capacity,haematology and immune response of Carassius auratus gibelio

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of citric acid (CA) and malic acid (MA) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, haematology and immune response of Carassius auratus gibelio. Carassius auratus gibelio were randomly divided into six groups, with three replicates in each group and 20 fish in each replicate. The six groups were fed a basic diet with organic acid supplementation (control group, 0.2%MA, 0.2%MA + 0.1%CA, 0.2%MA + 0.2%CA, 0.2%MA + 0.4%CA and 0.2%MA + 0.6%CA) for 8 weeks respectively. The results showed that compared with the control group, the weight gain rate and specific growth rate significantly increased in organic acid‐fed groups (p < .05). The highest value was in the 0.2%MA + 0.2%CA group. However, there were no significant differences in survival rate, red blood cells or white blood cells between groups. The contents of ALT, AST and LDH in Carassius auratus gibelio fed with organic acids increased, especially in 0.2%MA + 0.4%CA and 0.2%MA + 0.6%CA groups. However, there was no significant difference between the 0.2%MA + 0.2%CA group and the control group. In addition, the highest values of GSH and T‐AOC were found in the 0.2%MA + 0.6%CA group. Compared with the control group, there were no significant differences in the expression of HSP70 or LZM (p > .05), but the expression of Il‐1β, IL‐10 and TNF‐α was up‐regulated in the 0.2%MA + 0.4%CA and 0.2%MA + 0.6%CA groups. The results showed that the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, haematological parameters and expression of immune‐related genes were significantly improved by adding organic acids to the feed of Carassius auratus gibelio. However, excessive addition of organic acids may cause liver injury, and the optimal addition amount in this experiment was 0.2%MA + 0.2%CA.     

Effects of dietary tea polyphenols on growth,biochemical and antioxidant responses,fatty acid composition and expression of lipid metabolism related genes of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary tea polyphenols (TP) on growth performance, biochemical and antioxidants responses, fatty acid composition, and lipid metabolism‐related gene expressions of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Four diets were formulated with different levels of TP (0.00%, 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.05%). Results showed that growth performance of L. crocea were not different among dietary treatments. Compared with the control group, fish in 0.02% TP group had lower body and hepatic lipid content and lower total cholesterol content. The minimum content of triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol were found in 0.05% TP group. Hepatic n‐6 PUFA and n‐3 PUFA were significantly higher in TP supplementation groups. Malondialdehyde content was lower in TP supplementation groups, and superoxide dismutase activity was higher in 0.01% TP group than the control group. The mRNA expressions of carnitine palmitoyltransferase1, acyl‐CoA oxidase and peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptor α were up‐regulated in 0.01% and 0.02% TP groups, while lipoprotein lipase expression was down‐regulated in TP supplementation groups than the control group. Results suggested that 0.01%–0.02% TP supplementation could reduce the deposition of liver lipid of L. crocea caused by high‐lipid diet, which might be due to the increase in lipid oxidation related gene expressions.     

Effects of dietary fish oil substitution with blending vegetable oils on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activities and tissue fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacement of fish oil (FO) with blending vegetable oils (VOs) on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities and fatty acid composition in tissue of swimming crab Portunustrituberculatus. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain VOs (colza oil: palm oil: linseed oil = 4:2:1) to replace 0 (the control diet), 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/kg of FO (defined D0, D25, D50, D75, D100). Three hundred juvenile swimming crabs (initial weight 2.34 ± 0.08 g) were randomly stocked and sorted into 300 individual rectangle plastic baskets in three cement pools. Each treatment has three replicates, one replicate has 20 swimming crabs, and each diet fed 60 crabs distributed in 60 baskets. The results indicated that crabs fed the control diet showed significantly higher survival, final body weight, per cent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate and moulting frequency, crude protein and crude lipid contents in muscles than those fed the D75 and D100 VO diets (p < .05). Crabs fed the D25 VO diet showed significantly higher concentration of triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and total protein, activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in haemolymph than those fed the control diet (p < .05). Fatty acid composition in hepatopancreas was positively correlated with dietary composition. In summary, based on the PWG, the optimal replacement of FO with VOs was estimated to be 250 g/kg. These findings demonstrated that swimming crabs make better use of FO than VOs.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activities and biochemical composition of juvenile swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid sources on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities and biochemical composition of juvenile swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus of initial weight 2.34 ± 0.08 g. Four different diets were formulated to contain fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SO), linseed oil (LO) or palm oil (PO). The highest final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and molting frequency were observed in crabs fed the FO diet. Crabs fed the SO diet showed higher glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in both serum and hepatopancreas than those fed the FO diet. The lowest malondialdehyde concentration in hepatopancreas and serum were occurred at crabs fed the SO diet. Crabs fed the LO diet had significantly higher SOD and CAT activities in hepatopancreas compared with those fed the FO diet. Crabs fed the PO diet had the highest activities of fatty acid synthase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 activities in hepatopancreas among all treatments. Fatty acid compositions both in hepatopancreas and muscle reflected those of diets. Overall, these findings demonstrated that physiological–biochemical characteristics and lipid metabolism were significantly regulated by different dietary lipid sources. Moreover, dietary SO and LO supplementation could improve antioxidant ability.     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid levels on growth performance,muscle fatty acid profile,hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in genetically improved farmed Tilapia strain of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth performance, muscle fatty acid profile, hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in genetically improved farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain of Oreochromis niloticus (initial body weight: 42.6 ± 0.4 g, mean ± standard deviation). Three replicated groups of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia were hand‐fed to satiation, twice a day, with the diets in which CLA oil, containing mainly the bioactive cis‐9, trans‐11 and trans‐10, cis‐12 isomers, was included at 0 (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%, respectively, at the expense of fish oil to maintain the constant lipid and energy levels. Growth performance and feed utilization showed no significant differences among the treatments (P > 0.05). The dietary inclusion of CLA modified total percentages of the main groups of fatty acids. Increasing saturated fatty acid content and reduced mono‐unsaturated fatty acid contents in muscle were observed with increasing dietary CLA inclusion (P < 0.05). Total n‐3 fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids tended to decline with increasing dietary CLA levels (P < 0.05), but n‐6 fatty acids showed no significant differences among the treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary CLA supplementation resulted in the significant increase in the trans‐10, cis‐12 and cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA isomers in muscle (P < 0.05) and also significantly influenced several hepatic enzymatic activities, such as succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities (P < 0.05). Reduced superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and the decline in malondialdehyde levels were observed in fish fed the CLA‐supplemented diets (P < 0.05), indicating that dietary CLA supplementation showed a powerful antioxidant effect for this fish species. Our study was the first report involved in the effect of dietary CLA inclusion on hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in fish, which could be used as indicators of nutritional and physiological status of the fish species.     

Effects of dietary lipid sources on growth performance,lipid metabolism and antioxidant status of juvenile Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were used to test the influence of lipid source on growth performance, antioxidant status and lipid metabolism of juvenile Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Each diet was supplemented with 90 g kg^?1 of lipid from each of six sources including fish oil (FO), beef tallow (BT), sunflower oil (SO), linseed oil (LO) and equal combinations of FO + SO + BT (FSB) or LO + SO + BT (LSB). After 56 days, fish fed LSB demonstrated highest weight gain, specific growth rate and lowest hepatosomatic index among all groups. The n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the whole fish were highest in the SO group, and n‐3 PUFAs were highest in fish fed LO. The fish fed FO contained highest n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. Triglyceride in the serum of fish fed LSB was lowest, but was not significantly different from that in the SO group. Triglyceride in the serum of fish fed FO and BT was highest among all groups. Lipase, malate dehydrogenase and lipoprotein lipase activities were highest in fish fed LSB. Serum malondialdehyde in fish fed LSB was significantly lower than in fish fed FO or SO, but no significant differences were found among fish fed LSB, BT, LO or FSB. Fish fed LSB showed higher catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity than fish fed FO or FSB. This study indicates that linseed, sunflower oil and BT mixed oil are a suitable lipid source and can benefit growth performance and antioxidation in juvenile sturgeon.