Antioxidant defence to ammonia stress of characins (Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner) fed diets supplemented with carotenoids

This study aimed to find out whether dietary carotenoid (CD) supplement could influence the resistance of characins (Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner) to ammonia stress. Two types of CD and its combination [astaxanthin (AX), β‐carotene (BC), 1 : 1 combination of AX and BC (MX)] at three concentrations (10, 20 and 40 mg kg⁻¹) were used resulting in nine pigmented diets. No differences in growth and survival of the fish among treatments were found after 8‐week rearing. Experimental and control fish were then exposed to 15 mg total ammonia nitrogen L⁻¹ (stress group) and 0.15 mg total ammonia nitrogen L⁻¹ (normal group) for 72 h, and their blood was withdrawn. No mortality resulted under such TAN concentrations. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), serum antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (GPx)] and serum transaminases [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] were chosen as indices of fish antioxidant capacity or stress resistance. SOD, GPx and AST were affected by the interactions of dietary CD and ammonia stress. The activities of TAS, SOD, GPx and AST increased under the stress. Dietary CD reduced serum SOD, GPx, ALT and AST activities. In conclusion, dietary CD increased the resistance of characins to ammonia stress.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of carotenoids on survival, growth, pigmentation, and antioxidant capacity of characins, Hyphessobrycon callistus

This study aimed to find out if dietary carotenoid (CD) supplement could make differences in survival, growth, pigmentation, and antioxidant capacity of characins Hyphessobrycon callistus, an ornamental fish. Two types of CD and its combination (AX — astaxanthin, BC — β-carotene, MX — 1:1 combination of AX and BC) at three concentrations (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were used resulting in nine pigmented diets. A diet without CD supplement served as control. No differences in growth and survival of the fish among treatments were found after 8 weeks rearing. Disregarding the types of dietary CD, AX dominated (> 98%) the body CD, indicating that this fish converted most dietary BC into body AX for storage. Body AX and BC content increased with increasing dietary CD concentration. Body AX in BC-fed fish was lower than that in both AX- and MX-fed fish. No difference in body AX was found between AX- and MX-fed fish, and in body BC in all pigmented fish. Serum total antioxidant status [TAS], serum antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidases [GPx]) and serum transaminases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) were chosen as indices of fish antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant activities changed with dietary CD type and concentration. Pigmented fish had lower SOD, GPx and ALT than control fish; dietary CD types only affected SOD and ALT in fish. AX-fed fish had the lowest SOD. Dietary AX had more numbers of negative correlations with antioxidant parameters in fish than BC.     

Dietary nano‐selenium enhances antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella fed with high‐fat diet

To evaluate the effects of dietary nano‐selenium (Nano‐Se) on antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp fed with high‐fat diet, experimental fishes were fed Nano‐Se supplemented diets at doses of 0 (Control), 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mg/kg for 10 weeks. After feeding trial, a part of the fishes were exposed to hypoxia stress. Results showed that the survival ratio of grass carp significantly increased in 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg Nano‐Se group, and the content of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) significantly decreased in 0.6–1.2 mg/kg Nano‐Se groups compared with the control group. In addition, dietary Nano‐Se significantly enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in fishes fed diets with 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg Nano‐Se. Dietary Nano‐Se significantly elevated mRNA expression of GPX1 and catalase (CAT) by promoting the mRNA expression of NF‐E2‐related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) in the hepatopancreas. After hypoxia stress, the GPX and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly enhanced, and the MDA content and mortality rate consequently decreased in fishes fed diets with 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg Nano‐Se. In summary, these results suggested that optimal Nano‐Se in diet enhanced the antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp.     

Effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth,antioxidant capacity and gene expression in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (1050 individuals with initial weight of 1.01 ± 0.001 g) were fed either control diet or one of six dietary astaxanthin (AX) concentration (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) diets for 56 days in 35 tanks (30 shrimp per tank). After 56 days of culture, shrimp‐fed AX125 and AX150 diets had higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, total antioxidant status and lower (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) than shrimp fed control diet. After low dissolved oxygen stress for 1 h, survival rate of shrimp fed AX75, AX100, AX125 and AX150 diets was higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed control diet. Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD) and CAT mRNA expression levels of shrimp fed seven diets were significantly down‐regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but their expression levels were higher under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX‐supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet. About 70‐kDa heat‐shock protein (Hsp70) mRNA expression level of shrimp fed seven diets was significantly up‐regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but its expression level was lower under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX‐supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet.     

Effect of Dietary pH Adjustment on the Utilization of Supplemental Methionine and Lysine by Juvenile Common Carp,Cyprinus carpio

An 8‐wk feeding trial was conducted to compare the effect of dietary pH on the utilization of crystalline amino acid (CAA, 0.2% dl ‐methionine and 0.4% l ‐lysine·HCl) by juvenile common carp, Cyprinus carpio. A basal diet (diet C) with protein derived mostly from fish meal and soybean meal was supplemented with CAA without pH adjustment (diet CAA, pH 6.2) and with pH adjusted to 7.0 and 8.0 (diets CAA pH 7.0, CAA pH 8.0, respectively). Supplementation of CAA, regardless of dietary pH adjustment, significantly increased the feed intake and weight gain, and the latter was significantly higher in fish fed diets CAA pH 7.0 or CAA pH 8.0 compared to fish fed diet CAA. The intestinal protease activity was significantly higher in fish fed diets CAA pH 7.0 or CAA pH 8.0 compared to fish fed diet CAA. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein in diets CAA pH 7.0 and CAA pH 8.0 were significantly higher than those in diet C. Dietary supplementation of CAA generally decreased the plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, but markedly increased the hepatic AST and ALT activities. Compared to fish fed diet CAA, fish fed diets CAA pH 7.0 or CAA pH 8.0 showed higher hepatic AST activity but slightly lower plasma ammonia level. These results indicate that adjusting the pH of CAA‐supplemented diets to neutral or slightly alkaline resulted in improving the CAA utilization by common carp.     

Stimulatory effect of dietary clove,Eugenia caryophyllata,bud extract on growth performance,nutrient utilization,antioxidant capacity,and tolerance of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (B.), to Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila, in farm‐raised fish requires urgent attention. Continuous and indiscriminate use of antibiotics as growth promoters and disease control agents in aquaculture have been discouraged because of the risk of development of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains. There is steady interest in the use of botanicals, such as clove, Eugenia caryophyllata, buds extract (ECBE), as alternatives. Hence, the present study evaluated the effect of dietary ECBE supplementation on the growth performance, physiological, antioxidant, and immunity biomarkers of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Fish (11.7 ± 0.5 g) were fed diets containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0, or 15.0 g ECBE/kg diet up to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish from each treatment were challenged with A. hydrophila infection by intraperitoneal injection and kept under observation for 14 days to record any abnormal clinical signs and daily mortality. The results demonstrated that fish performance and feed intake were significantly enhanced with increasing ECBE levels, and its optimum level is 15 g/kg diet. Further, the dietary ECBE increased significantly the intestinal villi length/width and absorption area in a dose‐dependent manner. There are significant progressive increases in the values of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells, platelets, lymphocytes, and heterocytes, while monocytes, eosinophil, and basophils decreased significantly due to dietary ECBE in a dose‐dependent manner. Highest glucose, cholesterol, total protein, globulin, and albumin‐globulin ratios, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, and creatinine values were found in fish fed 15 g ECBE/kg diets, while lowest values were recorded in fish fed the control diet. Despite the high AST and ALT values, no visible lesions or damage were observed in the liver cells of fish fed ECBE‐enriched diets. In addition, the inclusion of ECBE in fish diets enhanced the antioxidant and immunity capacity. Fish mortality after the bacterial challenge was higher in fish fed the control diet (82.3%) than those fed ECBE‐enriched diets. The lowest fish mortality was observed in fish fed the 15 ECBE/kg diet (4.7%) [Correction added on 16 November 2018: this section has been revised for clarity.].     

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。     

Evaluation of dietary vitamin E supplementation on growth performance and antioxidant status in hybrid snakehead (Channa argus × Channa maculata)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin E on growth performance and antioxidant status of juvenile snakehead. The snakeheads (20.47 ± 0.06 g) were fed with five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets that contained 13 (the basal diet), 52, 79, 168 and 326 mg of vitamin E kg^?1, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate (SGR) and feed intake (FI) were achieved in fish fed on a diet with 79 mg kg^?1 vitamin E (p < .05). No significant differences were found in protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival of fish among all groups (p > .05). Vitamin E supplementation improved hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity significantly. A consistent decline in the hepatic and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was observed in fish fed diets with the increased supplementation of vitamin E (p < .05). In addition, with the increasing level of vitamin E, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were reduced (p < .05). However, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were enhanced in fish fed 79 mg vitamin E kg^?1 diet and then decreased significantly as the content of vitamin E in the diet increased (p < .05). Meanwhile, serum albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) were not affected by the supplemental levels of dietary vitamin E (p > .05). The vitamin E concentrations in liver and serum increased significantly with increasing dietary vitamin E (p < .05). Based on the broken‐line regression of SGR, vitamin E level in the diet is estimated to be 80.5 mg kg^?1 for Channa argus × Channa maculata. In conclusion, this study indicated that the dietary appropriate vitamin E could enhance the growth performance, antioxidant status and non‐specific immune response.     

饲料蛋白水平对鲤幼鱼肝功能和抗氧化能力的影响

研究了不同蛋白水平饲料对鲤(Cyprinus carpio)幼鱼肝功能和抗氧化能力的影响。选用体质量为(10±1.2)g的健康鲤幼鱼,随机分为5组,每组设3个重复,每个重复35尾鱼。放养在15个规格相同的白色水箱中,分别投喂蛋白水平为30%、30.5%、31%、31.5%和32%的饲料(分别记作Diet 1、Diet 2、Diet 3、Diet 4和Diet5),饲养实验时间为8周,每隔4周对相关生理生化指标进行测定。结果表明,养殖第4和第8周时,31%蛋白水平组血清和肝胰脏的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活性均显著降低(P0.05);血清、肝胰脏和肾脏中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和溶菌酶(LZM)活性升高(P0.05),丙二醛(MDA)浓度显著降低(P0.05)。根据实验结果,从饲料配制的成本考虑,31%蛋白水平饲料能够达到维持鲤幼鱼机体正常的抗氧化能力以及保护肝功能的营养需求。     

Effects of diludine supplementation on growth performance,liver antioxidant enzyme activities and muscular trace elements of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles at a low water temperature

Diludine is used as an effective agent reducing mutagenic effects of environmental pollutants, increasing productivity and protecting reproductive system of parental individuals and quality of their offspring. A 10‐week study was conducted to evaluate potential effects of diludine on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles growth performance, feed utilization, survival rate, liver antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC1.15.1.1 ; catalase, CAT, EC1.11.1.16 ; glutathione peroxidase, GPx, EC 1.11.1.9 ; glutathione reductase, GR, EC1.6.4.2 ; glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD, EC1.1.1.49 and glutathione S‐transferase, GST, EC1.5.1.18 ), the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation marker and muscular trace elements at a low water temperature (9 °C). Diludine was added at 0.2, 0.5 and 1 g kg^?1 to a fish meal–based control diet, and each diet was fed to triplicate groups of rainbow trout juveniles. After 10 weeks, there were no differences in survival rate between fish fed experimental diets (P > 0.05). It was observed that a significant improvability existed for both growth and feed utilization in fish fed diets supplemented with diludine (P < 0.05). Antioxidant enzymes showed significantly increased activity in liver tissues (P < 0.05) and then a decrease to initial activity levels during the experimental time. (GPx activity was not determined in the juvenile livers.) SOD and GST activities in liver of fish fed the diets with diludine tended to be higher and GR activity tended to be lower than that in fish fed the basal diet. However, in general, it was determined that different concentration of diludine did not affect the studied antioxidant enzyme activities except G6PD in the liver of juveniles fed the diet with 1 g kg^?1 diludine. On the other hand, the significant reduction was found in MDA levels in the fish fed the diets with diludine compared with basal diet on the 14th and 28th days of experiment. It was also observed that Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn and Se levels were significantly higher in the juveniles fed the diet with 1 g kg^?1 diludine than those fed the basal diet. In conclusion, the results of this trial indicate that 1 g kg^?1 dietary supplementation with diludine seems to be most positive for rainbow trout production in cold‐water adaptation.     

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.     

橡胶籽油替代豆油对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)生长性能、消化酶活性及部分生化指标的影响

为研究橡胶籽油替代豆油对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)生长性能、消化酶活性、血脂水平、蛋白质代谢及抗氧化功能的影响,分别以橡胶籽油替代0(对照组)、25%、50%、75%和100%豆油配制5种等氮等能饲料,进行10周饲养实验。实验显示,0~50%替代组草鱼增重率、日增重系数显著高于100%替代组(P<0.05)。随着橡胶籽油替代豆油比例的升高,饲料系数呈先下降后上升的趋势,其中,25%替代组饲料系数最低,显著低于50%~100%替代组(P<0.05);25%替代组蛋白质效率最高,显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05)。随着橡胶籽油替代比例的升高,肠道胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶活性呈先上升后下降的趋势,其中,25%替代组脂肪酶活性最高,显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05),50%替代组胰蛋白酶活性最高,显著高于对照组、75%和100%替代组(P<0.05)。0~50%替代组肝胰脏胰蛋白酶活性显著高于75%和100%替代组(P<0.05)。25%~100%替代组血清总胆固醇(TC)含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。随着橡胶籽油替代比例的升高,肝胰脏天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)活性呈先下降后上升的趋势,其中,25%替代组AST、ALT活性最低,显著低于对照组和100%替代组(P<0.05)。0~25%替代组血浆总抗氧化力(TAC)显著低于75%和100%替代组(P<0.05)。对照组血浆、肝胰脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于100%替代组(P<0.05)。由此可知,橡胶籽油替代25%~50%豆油对草鱼生长性能、饲料利用率、血脂水平、抗氧化功能指标均无不良影响;但替代超过50%时显著降低草鱼生长性能和消化酶活性。     

Effects of dietary reduced glutathione on the growth and antioxidant capacity of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

To investigate the effects of dietary reduced glutathione (GSH) on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), 396 juvenile fish with initial body weight of 143.07 ± 6.56 g were randomly distributed into four groups fed four diets with graded supplementation levels of GSH (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg diet) for 83 days. The results showed that the appropriate GSH supplementation (100 and 200 mg/kg diet) significantly increased the growth performance, activities and gene mRNA expression levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione transferase (GST), and the content of GSH and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), whereas it significantly decreased activities and gene mRNA expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA; p < 0.05). However, the excess dietary GSH (400 mg/kg diet) had an adverse effect on the all above indexes. Interestingly, the dietary GSH had the opposite effect on GSH‐related antioxidant enzymes (GPx and GST) and other antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). The results showed that the diet with 200 mg/kg GSH supplementation was optimal for the juvenile Atlantic salmon, which had a measured GSH content of 209.54 mg/kg.     

Semisynthetic ferulic acid derivative: an efficient feed additive for Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Ferulic acid (FA) derivative was synthesized by modifying the functional groups of FA as dietary additive in the feeding of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) juveniles. Structural confirmation of this compound was based on IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary FA derivative supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status and serum biochemical parameters of GIFT juveniles compared with that of FA. A total of 675 fish with an average initial weight of 10.73 ± 0.40 g were fed nine diets supplemented with 0, 0.26, 0.52, 1.04 and 2.08 mmol kg^?1 FA, or 0.26, 0.52, 1.04 and 2.08 mmol kg^?1 FA derivative. Each diet was assigned to three replicate groups of 25 experimental tilapia for 56 days. Weight gain (WG) in groups of fish fed FA derivative was much higher than that of fish fed FA diet (P < 0.05). The antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and GPx) in serum and liver of tilapia fed the FA derivative diets were significantly higher, while the malondialdehyde values were significantly lower than those of the fish fed the FA diets (P < 0.05). The serum biochemical parameters of GIFT were significantly improved by the FA derivative supplement. Moreover, feed conversion ratio, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index were significantly decreased in fish fed FA or FA derivative diet at 0.52 mmol kg^?1 feed (P < 0.05). The investigation on the semisynthetic FA derivative provides a new way for developing safe and efficient feed additives.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of alga Haematococcus pluvialis (Flotow), synthetic astaxanthin and β-carotene on survival, growth, and pigment distribution of red devil, Cichlasoma citrinellum (Günther)

Dietary carotenoids of various types and concentration can affect the pigmentation efficiency in an ornamental fish red devil, Cichlasoma citrinellum . Astaxanthin (AX) containing alga Haematococcus pluvialis , a synthetic AX, and a synthetic β-carotene (BC) were supplemented in formulated diets at two concentrations, 80 and 160 mg kg⁻¹, resulting in six pigmented diets. Formulated diet without carotenoids supplementation served as a control. These diets were fed to the fish, for 8 weeks. Astaxanthin dominated in body carotenoids deposition. Dietary BC hardly had contribution to body AX. Control fish had much lower AX content in skin, fin and muscle than fish fed pigmented diets, but had equal AX content in liver, intestine and gonad as those fish. Dietary synthetic AX had equal efficiency in depositing AX in skin and fin as natural AX but higher efficiency in gonad than natural AX. Fish fed AX supplemented at 160 mg kg⁻¹, either natural or synthetic AX, had higher AX content in skin than fish at 80 mg kg⁻¹ but had equal AX content in fin as fish at 80 mg kg⁻¹. Disregarding the treatment effects, the overall average AX content in tissue in descending order was gonad>fin≧(intestine=skin)>liver>muscle.     

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.     

Effects of dietary nucleotides supplementation on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) performance and acute stress response

This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary nucleotides (NT) on fish performance and acute stress response on fingerling rainbow trout (23 g ± 0.01, mean weight ± SEM). Five experimental diets according to different levels of supplemented nucleotides (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2%) were assayed on experimental fish for 8 weeks. Growth, hematological parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil count), serum proteins (globulin, albumin), and plasma enzymatic activity (alkaline phosphatase, ALP; aspartate transaminase, AST; lactate dehydrogenase, LDH; alanine transaminase, ALT) were assayed. At the end of feeding trial, fish fed the control and 0.2% diets were subjected to handling and crowding stress. Modulatory effects of nucleotides on acute stress response (cortisol and glucose) and plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, and Ca²⁺) were studied. The percentage of body weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) of fish were better when the fish were fed 0.15–0.2% diets. Fish fed the nucleotide-supplemented diets tended to have lower levels of serum enzymes including ALP, AST, LDH, and ALT. Plasma cortisol levels of fish fed on 0.2% diet under handling and crowding stress were significantly lower than fish fed the control diet at all post-stress time intervals. In our study, fish fed nucleotide-supplemented diet had significantly lower concentrations of glucose compared to those fed the basal diet. The concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and potassium of fish fed the control diet were significantly lower than in fish fed nucleotide-supplemented diet. Dietary nucleotides administration seems to promote growth and to enhance resistance against handling and crowding stress in fingerling rainbow trout.     

Evaluation of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) meal supplementation in diets for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The supplemental effect of Antarctic krill meal (KM) into a low fish meal (FM) diet was evaluated for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). A 56% FM‐based diet was regarded as a high FM inclusion diet (HFM), and a low‐FM diet (LFM) was prepared by replacing 50% FM from the HFM. Four other diets were prepared by supplementing 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% KM into the LFM diet gradually replacing soy protein concentrate and tankage meal (designated as KM3, KM6, KM9 and KM12 respectively). Quadruplicate groups of fish were fed one of the diets for 12 weeks. The growth performance and feed utilization efficiency were improved by the dietary KM supplementation. Digestibility of dietary protein and dry matter was increased by the KM3‐9 diets. Haematocrit and haemoglobin were increased by KM supplementation. The innate immunity and antioxidant capacity assessed by Ig, antiprotease, lysozyme, GPx and SOD and the condition factor of fish were significantly increased by KM3‐9 diets. Moreover, goblet cell counts, villi length and fillet yield of fish were significantly improved by all the KM‐containing diets (KM3‐12). A 25‐day‐long challenge test with the Edwardsiella tarda pathogen showed that the cumulative mortality was higher in fish fed the LFM diet than in fish fed the HFM or KM‐supplemented diets. The results indicate that dietary KM supplementation in a LFM diet can increase growth performance and feed utilization efficiency, diet digestibility, intestinal development and functions, innate immunity and disease resistance of olive flounder. The recommended level of KM inclusion in a LFM diet seems to be 6.6% according to quadratic regression analysis.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and feed utilization of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles

In this study, two growth trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and feed utilization of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles. For the first trial, five diets were formulated to contain 120 g kg^?1 lipid and increasing levels of protein, ranging from 400 to 600 g kg^?1. Two additional diets were formulated with 400 and 600 g kg^?1 protein and 180 g kg^?1 lipids. The diets were fed to apparent visual satiety to duplicate groups of fish with a mean weight of 1.5 g for 10 weeks. For the second growth trial, four diets were formulated to contain 120 g kg^?1 lipid and 380–520 g kg^?1 protein. Two additional diets were formulated with 380 and 520 g kg^?1 protein and 180 g kg^?1 lipids. The diets were fed to apparent visual satiety to triplicate groups of fish with a mean weight of 41 g for 12 weeks. At the end of both trials, there were no growth differences among groups independent of the dietary protein content. In the first trial, growth was negatively correlated to dietary lipid levels. No significant differences of feed intake were detected among groups in both trials, but a direct correlation between feed efficiency and dietary protein level was observed. Protein efficiency ratio and nitrogen (N) retention (% N intake) significantly decreased with the increase of dietary protein levels. In both trials, energy retention (% energy intake) was highest in groups fed on diets with the highest protein‐to‐energy (P/E) ratio. At the end of both trials, no significant differences in whole‐body composition were observed among groups. Specific activity of enzymes involved in amino acid catabolism [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)] showed no significant differences with dietary protein level in both trials. Nevertheless, in the first trial, a significantly lower GDH activity was observed in fish fed with higher dietary lipid levels. No differences were found for specific activity of the lipogenic enzymes, fatty aid synthetase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, in the second trial. Results of this study indicate that a diet with a protein level of 380–420 g kg^?1 and a P/E ratio of 20 g protein MJ^?1 satisfies the growth requirements of D. sargus juveniles. Also, within the range tested, no evidence of protein sparing by dietary lipids seems to occur.     

Effects of dietary turmeric administration on stress,immune, antioxidant and inflammatory responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during copper exposure

The present study assessed the effects of dietary turmeric on Cyprinus carpio resistance and responses to copper exposure. First, the fish were assigned to four treatments received diets supplemented with 0 (control), 5, 10 and 20 g/kg turmeric for 3 weeks. Thereafter, the fish were exposed to lethal concentration (3.5 mg/L) of ambient copper for 24 hr and mortality was 65.3%, 41.8%, 22.7% and 20.6%, respectively. In the second experiment, the fish were fed with the aforementioned diets and simultaneously exposed to sub‐lethal concentration (0.25 mg/L) of ambient copper for 3 weeks. Copper exposure led to increases in plasma cortisol, glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), and decrease in plasma T₄, T₃, lysozyme, alternative complement haemolytic (ACH50), bactericidal activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and blood red blood cell count (RBC) and haemoglobin. Moreover, copper exposure led to significant upregulation of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐a) and interleukin 1‐beta (IL1‐b), and significant downregulation of interleukin 10 (IL10) gene expressions in the fish liver. Turmeric administration at 10 g/kg significantly mitigated/inhibited the copper‐induced negative effects, which seems to be due to the augmenting of the antioxidant defence.