Long-term nutritional effects on the primary liver and kidney metabolism in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): adaptive response to a high-protein/non-carbohydrate diet and starvation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity

The adaptive response of the kinetics of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was studied in trout liver and kidney after feeding (control or high-protein/non-carbohydrate diet) or starving for 30 days, as well as influences on growth and other nutritive parameters. Typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics were found for the hepatic catalysis of G6PDH under all conditions studied, without evidence of sigmoidicity. The administration of a high-protein/non-carbohydrate diet (61.0% protein, 7.9% lipids) produced no significant changes in specific activity or other kinetic parameters of the liver enzyme. This nutritional situation caused a significant daily increase in relative growth (20%) and feed efficiency (13.5%), as well as a 13% decrease in the protein-conversion efficiency, with respect to the control diet (46% protein, 8% lipids, 22% carbohydrates). On the other hand, long-term starvation (30 days), as a lipolytic condition, significantly decreased the activity and catalytic efficiency of hepatic G6PDH, by almost 45%, without significant changes in the K_m and activity-ratio values. These changes agree with a fall in the intracellular concentration of the enzyme as a consequence of a protein-repression process. The activity of the renal G6PDH was less than in the liver of control fish, and no variation in kinetics was found under the high-protein diet or starvation. This behaviour clearly demonstrates that the kidney pentose-phosphate pathway showed no adaptive response in relation to synthesis of fatty acids and other lipids.     

Hepatic enzyme adaptation to different dietary carbohydrates in juvenile tilapiaOreochromis niloticus xO. aureus

The influence of two carbohydrates, starch and glucose, on hepatic enzyme activities of juvenile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus xO. aureus, were investigated. Fish were fed either starch or glucose diet solely for 12 weeks or fed either starch or glucose diet for the first 6 weeks and then switched the diet each other for the last 6 weeks. Fish fed only the starch diet gained more (p < 0.05) body weight, had better feed conversion, higher protein deposition and energy retention values than fish fed the glucose diet. These parameters generally decreased in fish when the starch diet was fed first and then switched to the glucose diet, or increased in fish when the glucose diet was fed first and then switched to the starch diet. The starch — fed fish had higher body lipid content than glucose — fed fish. Body lipid decreased in fish transferred from the starch to glucose diet orvice versa when fish were transformed from the glucose to the starch diet. Hepatic hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and glucose-6-phosphatase activities in fish were not affected by the different dietary regimes. Malic enzyme (ME), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) activities were higher in the fish fed the starch diet than in those fed the glucose diet. Changing the diet from starch to glucose decreased ME, G-6-PD and PGD activities, whereas, changing the diet from the glucose to the starch increased these enzyme activities in fish liver. These results suggest that lipogenic enzyme activity can adapt to dietary carbohydrates in the fish liver.     

Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium supplementation on growth, body composition, and antioxidant defense mechanism in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoide) fed oxidized fish oil

Six oxidized fish oil contained diets were formulated to investigate the effect of graded levels of vitamin E (V_E) (α-tocopherol acetate: 160, 280, and 400 mg kg^?1) associated with either 1.2 or 1.8 mg kg^?1 selenium (Se) on growth, body composition, and antioxidant defense mechanism of juvenile largemouth bass. Another control diet containing fresh fish oil with 160 mg kg^?1 V_E and 1.2 mg kg^?1 Se was also prepared. Over a 12-week feeding trial, about 5 % of Micropterus salmoide fed diet OxSe1.2/V_E160 showed inflammation and hemorrhage symptoms at the base of dorsal, pectoral, and tail fin. Fish in all treatments survived well (above 90 %). Feed intakes (88.42?89.58 g fish^?1) of all treatments were comparable. Growth performances (weight gain and specific growth rate) and feed utilization (feed and protein efficiency ratio) were significantly impaired by dietary oil oxidation, and they did not benefit from neither V_E nor Se supplementation. Regardless of dietary V_E and Se supplementation, oxidized oil ingestion resulted in markedly decreased hepatosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio. Oxidized oil ingestion also induced markedly lower liver and muscle lipid contents, and these effects could be alleviated by dietary Se supplementation. Dietary oil oxidation stimulated hepatic catalase activities relative to the control, and supplementation of V_E abrogated this effect. Hepatic reduced glutathione content in the control was markedly higher than that of treatment OxSe1.2/V_E160, without any significant differences comparing with the other oxidized oil receiving groups. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity and liver Se concentration reflected dietary Se profile, whereas liver V_E level reflected dietary V_E profile. Compared with the control, fish fed diet OxSe1.2/V_E160 obtained markedly higher serum, liver and muscle malondialdehyde contents, which droppe significantly with increasing either V_E or Se supplementation. In conclusion, the overall results in this study suggested that both V_E and Se inclusion could protect largemouth bass from the oxidative damage challenged by dietary oil oxidation.     

Growth and metabolic responses of juvenile Macrobrachium nipponense to different dietary carbohydrate levels

It remains controversial whether carbohydrate can be efficiently used by crustaceans. Six isonitrogenous and isolipid diets were formulated containing 50–350 g kg^–1 corn starch and were fed to juvenile prawns (mean weight, 0.133 ± 0.003 g) for 56 days in five replicates. Prawns fed 50–150 g kg^–1 corn starch attained significantly greater weight gain. Digestive enzyme activities were significantly affected by dietary corn starch level. Hepatopancreatic and muscle glycogen levels peaked in prawns fed 350 g kg^–1 and 150 g kg^–1 corn starch content, respectively. Prawns fed 350 g kg^–1 corn starch had a significantly higher haemolymph glucose level than that in the other groups. Hepatopancreatic hexokinase (HK) activity increased significantly as corn starch level was increased. Hepatopancreatic pyruvate kinase (PK) activity of prawns fed the 150 g kg^–1 and 250 g kg^–1 corn starch was significantly higher than that of prawns fed 50 g kg^–1 corn starch. Including carbohydrate in the diet promoted increased lipogenic activities (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) in the hepatopancreas. Hepatopancreatic HK and PK mRNA expression levels had similar trends with their activities. The 350 g kg^–1 corn starch level induced the highest glucose‐6‐phosphatase and pyruvate carboxylase mRNA expression levels. Overall, moderate metabolic adaptations for using dietary corn starch were detected in Macrobrachium nipponense; however, a high proportion (>150 g kg^–1 ) of corn starch in the diet may reduce growth.     

Effects of dietary glucose and starch levels on the growth,haematological indices and hepatic hexokinase and glucokinase mRNA expression of juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The effect of the different dietary carbohydrate types and levels on growth performance, haematological indices and hepatic hexokinase (HK) and glucokinase (GK) genes expression involved in control of glucose metabolism, was studied in juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio). Two carbohydrates (glucose and starch) diets with two levels (250 and 500 g kg^?1) were fed to triplicate groups of 35 fish for 60 days. The best weight gain rate and specific growth rate were observed in fish fed with 250 g kg^?1 glucose diet and 500 g kg^?1 starch diet (P < 0.05). Fish fed with 500 g kg^?1 glucose showed low feed utilization, with the highest food conversion ratio and the lowest protein efficiency ratio (P < 0.05). Hepatosomatic index was significantly higher in fish fed with glucose diets and the 500 g kg^?1 starch diet compared to 250 g kg^?1 starch. CHOL, HDL‐C and LDL‐C were significantly highest in fish fed with 500 g kg^?1 starch than all other diets (P < 0.05). Hepatic GK mRNA expression level and activity were positively related to glucose and starch levels (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that hepatic glycogen concentration was increased by dietary carbohydrate content (P < 0.05). These results suggest that GK may play a major role in the postprandial glucose utilization in juvenile mirror carp.     

Effect of temperature and dietary protein/lipid ratio on growth performance and nutrient utilization of juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

A 74‐day trial was undertaken to evaluate the effects of temperature (16 and 22 °C) and dietary protein/lipid ratio on the performance of juvenile Senegalese sole (mean body weight: 6.4 g). Four experimental diets were formulated to contain two protein levels (550 g kg^?1 and 450 g kg^?1) combined with two lipid levels (80 g kg^?1 and 160 g kg^?1). Growth was higher at 22 °C and within each temperature in fish fed diets 55P8L and 45P16L. Feed efficiency, N retention (% NI) and energy retention (% EI) were higher at 22 and at both temperatures in fish fed diet 55P8L. Temperature affected whole‐body composition, with dry matter, protein, lipid and energy being higher and ash lower in fish kept at higher temperature. Independently of temperature, whole‐body lipid, energy and ash were higher and protein was lower in fish fed the high‐lipid diets. Visceral and hepatosomatic indices were not affected by diet composition but were higher in fish kept at 16 °C. Liver glycogen and lipid contents and activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were not affected by diet or water temperature. Malic enzyme (ME) and glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activities were higher in fish fed the low‐lipid diets. ME activity was higher at lower temperature. In conclusion, increasing water temperature from 16 to 22 °C improves growth and feed efficiency of Senegalese sole juveniles; regardless of water temperature, the diet with 550 g kg^?1 protein and 80 g kg^?1 lipid promoted the best growth and feed efficiency.     

Effect of dietary cadmium level on the growth,body composition and several hepatic enzymatic activities of juvenile yellow catfish,Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary cadmium (Cd) level on the growth, body composition and several enzymatic activities of juvenile yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. The experimental diets were formulated with CdCl₂·2.5H₂O at levels of 0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 g kg^?1 diet, resulting in four dietary Cd levels of 0.25 (control), 4.92, 48.57 and 474.7 mg Cd kg^?1 diet respectively. They were fed to juvenile yellow catfish (mean initial weight: 3.26±0.07 g, mean±SD) for 4 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake and protein efficiency ratio tended to decline with increasing dietary Cd levels (P<0.05). In contrast, the feed conversion ratio was the lowest when the dietary Cd level was 0.25 mg Cd kg^?1 diet. Dietary Cd levels significantly influenced body composition and Cd accumulation. Whole body and vertebrae Cd content generally increased as the dietary Cd levels increased (P<0.05). However, muscle Cd content was detected only in fish fed the diets containing the highest Cd level of the diet (P>0.05). Hepatic alkaline phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase and lactate dehydrogenase activities increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary Cd level. Succinate dehydrogenase was very variant and not related to dietary treatments. Malic dehydrogenase activity showed no significant differences among the treatments (P>0.05). The present study provided for the first time the toxic assessment of dietborne Cd in yellow catfish, based on growth performance and the changes in hepatic enzymatic activities for the fish species.     

Purification of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase enzymes from the gill tissue of Lake Van fish and analyzing the effects of some chalcone derivatives on enzyme activities

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutathione reductase (GR) are metabolically quite important enzymes. Within this study, these two enzymes were purified for the first time from the gills of Lake Van fish. In the purifying process, ammonium sulfate precipitation and 2′,5′-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography techniques for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, temperature degradation and 2′,5′-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography for glutathione reductase enzyme were used. The control of the enzyme purity and determination of molecular weight were done with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. K _M and V _max values were determined with Lineweaver–Burk plot. Besides, the effects of some chalcone derivatives on the purified enzymes were analyzed. For the ones showing inhibition effect, % activity–[I] figures were drawn and IC₅₀ values were determined. K _i value was calculated by using Cheng–Prusoff equation.     

Modulation of key metabolic enzyme of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> (Hamilton) juvenile: effect of dietary starch type,protein level and exogenous α-amylase in the diet

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to delineate the effect of both gelatinized (G) and non-gelatinized (NG) corn with or without supplementation of exogenous α-amylase, either at optimum (35%) or sub-optimum (27%) protein levels, on blood glucose, and the key metabolic enzymes of glycolysis (hexokinase, HK), gluconeogenesis (glucose-6 phosphatase, G6Pase and fructose-1,6 bisphosphatase, FBPase), lipogenesis (glucose-6 phaosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD) and amino acid metabolism (alanine amino transfersae, ALT and aspartate amino transferase, AST) in Labeo rohita. Three hundred and sixty juveniles (average weight 10 ± 0.15 g) were randomly distributed into 12 treatment groups with each of two replicates. Twelve semi-purified diets containing either 35 or 27% crude protein were prepared by including G or NG corn as carbohydrate source with different levels of microbial α-amylase (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg kg⁻¹). The G corn fed groups showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) blood glucose and G6PD activity, whereas G6Pase, FBPase, ALT and AST activity in liver was higher in the NG corn fed group. Dietary corn type, α-amylase level in diet or their interaction had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on liver HK activity, but the optimum crude protein (35%) fed group showed higher HK activity than their low protein counterparts. The sub-optimum crude protein (27%) fed group showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) G6PD activity than the optimum protein fed group, whereas the reverse trend was observed for HK, G6Pase, FBPase, ALT and AST activity. Addition of 50 mg α-amylase kg⁻¹ feed showed increased blood glucose and G6PD activity of the NG corn fed group, whereas the reverse trend was found for G6Pase, FBPase, ALT and AST activity in liver, which was similar to that of the G or NG corn supplemented with 100/150 mg α-amylase kg⁻¹ feed. Data on enzyme activities suggest that NG corn in the diet significantly induced more gluconeogenic and amino acid metabolic enzyme activity, whereas G corn induced increased lipogenic enzyme activity. Increased amino acid catabolic enzyme (ALT and AST) activity was observed either at optimum protein (35%) irrespective of corn type or NG corn without supplementation of α-amylase irrespective of protein level in the diet.     

Dietary protein requirement of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles

A trial was undertaken to estimate the protein requirement of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus). Five fish meal‐based diets were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (from 60 to 490 g kg^?1). Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 25 fish with a mean individual body weight of 22 g. Fish fed the 60 g kg^?1 protein diet lost weight during the trial, while growth improved in the other groups as dietary protein level increased up to 270–370 g kg^?1. Feed efficiency improved as dietary protein level increased. Maximum protein efficiency ratio (PER) was observed with the 17% protein diet. N retention (NR) (% N intake) was not different among groups fed diets with 17% protein and above. Ammonia excretion (g kg^?1ABW day^?1) increased as dietary protein level increased, while no differences in urea excretion were noted. An exponential model was used to adjust specific growth rate and NR (g kg^?1 day^?1) to dietary protein level. Based on that model, dietary protein required for maximum retention was 330 g kg^?1, while for maximum growth it was 270 g kg^?1. On a wet weight basis, there were no differences in whole body composition of fish‐fed diets with 170 g kg^?1 protein and above, except for the protein content, which was lower in group fed the 170 g kg^?1 protein diet than the 490 g kg^?1 protein diet. Specific activities of hepatic amino acid catabolism enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) increased as dietary protein levels increased. There were no differences among groups in fatty acid synthetase and malyc enzyme but 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was significantly lower in fish fed the 60 g kg^?1 protein diet than the 170 and 490 g kg^?1 protein diets.     

Growth performance,oxidative stress indices and hepatic carbohydrate metabolic enzymes activities of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus L., in response to dietary starch to protein ratios

The effect of various dietary starch to proteins ratios (STA/P) on growth performance, oxidative status and liver enzyme activities involved in intermediary metabolism in juvenile Nile tilapia was evaluated. Four isocaloric‐practical diets (12.73 MJ kg^?1 digestible energy) with increasing STA/CP ratios were formulated. These were designated D₀ (344 g crude protein (CP) and 163.5 g starch (STA) kg^?1), D₁ (310 g CP and 243 g STA kg^?1), D₂ (258 g CP and 322 g STA kg^?1) and D₃ (214 g CP and 401 g STA kg^?1). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 60 fish (2.7 g) for 45 days. Compared with the control diet (D₀), significantly (P < 0.05) depressed growth and feed efficiency were observed only in the groups fed on diet D₃. The activities of hepatic enzymes involved in glycolysis and lipogenesis pathways were significantly enhanced in groups fed on diet D₃ compared with other diets. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in catalase activity was detected only in groups fed on diet D₃. Similarly, a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in superoxyde dismutase, glutathione S‐transferases and glutathione peroxidise was observed in groups fed on diets D₂ and D₃ compared with other diets. Results demonstrate the ability of juvenile Nile tilapia to spare protein by dietary carbohydrate.     

Mitochondrial NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme from herring testicular tissue: Purification,kinetic behaviour and regulatory properties

Mitochondrial NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme [EC 1.1.1.39, L-malate: NAD⁺ oxidoreductase (decarboxylating)] was purified from herring testicular tissue to a specific activity of 26.4 μmol NADH/min/mg protein. Herring testicular tissue is one of the most abundant sources of this enzyme. The purification procedure involved differential centrifugation of mitochondria and then chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, Red Agarose and Sephacryl S-300. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of malate in the presence of Mn²⁺ and either NAD or NADP. Under V_max conditions the ratios for the rate of NAD/NADP reduction was 1.8. A study of the reductive carboxulation reaction indicated that this enzyme reaction is reversible; at pH 7.0 the reverse reaction exhibited 22% of the activity of forward reaction. Some kinetic characteristics of the enzyme were determined. ATP was found to be a competitive inhibitor with respect to malate. Fumarate reversed ATP inhibition. Regulation of NAD(P)-dependent malic enzyme from herring testicular tissue mitochondria could respond to changing levels of mitochondrial ATP and fumarate in vivo.     

Effects of propolis enriched diet on growth performance and plasma biochemical parameters of juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) under acute low‐temperature stress

To study the effect of propolis in crude form (CPP), prepared without any chemical refinement (CPP) on Dicentrarchus labrax under low‐temperature stress, sea bass juveniles were randomly divided into three groups: a control group fed with basal diet and two treatment groups fed with basal diet supplemented with 1.25 and 2.5 g kg⁻¹ of propolis. At the end of a 10‐week feeding trial, sea bass were exposed to low‐temperature stress at 12 °C for 24 h. The growth performance, RNA/DNA ratio and changes in serum biochemical parameters were investigated. Dietary intake of propolis stimulated the specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), RNA/DNA ratio and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity, while decreasing plasma triglycerides and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity. Supplement of 2.5 g kg⁻¹ CPP in diet significantly increased the mean SGR and FCE up to 9% and 13.4%, respectively, in comparison with the control group. Low‐temperature stress elevated serum triglycerides, glucose and cortisol levels in all groups; however, glucose and cortisol reached significantly lower end values in group receiving highest amount of propolis in diet. This study suggests that ingestion of basal diet supplemented with 2.5 g kg⁻¹ of propolis could prevent adverse effects of low‐temperature stress and promote the growth of sea bass.     

Evaluation of dietary inclusion of housefly maggot (Musca domestica) meal on growth,fillet composition and physiological responses for barramundi,Lates calcarifer

The study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fish meal (FM) partially replaced by housefly maggot meal (HMM) on growth, fillet composition and physiological responses of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifera. HMM at 100, 150, 200 and 300 g kg^?1 was supplemented in the basal diet to replace dietary FM protein. Basal diet without HMM supplementation was used as control. Total of five experimental diets were fed to triplicate groups of juvenile barramundi (initial weight: 9.66 ± 0.22 g) in a flow‐through rearing system for 8 weeks. Fish fed all experimental diets showed no effects (P > 0.05) on weight gain and whole body protein, lipid and moisture content. Fish fed control diet and 100 g kg^?1 HMM diet had the highest (P < 0.05) hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, followed by 150 g kg^?1 HMM group, the lowest in 200 and 200 g kg^?1 HMM groups. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value was the highest in fish fed 150–300 g kg^?1 HMM diets, followed by 100 g kg^?1 HMM group and the lowest in fish fed the control diet. Fish fed the 300 g kg^?1 HMM diet had lower plasma lysozyme activity than fish fed other diets. The results indicated that up to 300 g kg^?1 HMM can be used to substitute dietary FM protein without negative effect on growth. Although physiological responses were also considered, up to 100 g kg^?1 HMM in barramundi diet was recommended.     

Effects of Cu2+-exchanged montmorillonite on intestinal microflora, digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of Nile tilapia

A total of 360 Nile tilapia at an average initial body weight of 3.9 g were randomly allocated to four treatments, each of which had three replicates of 30 fish per tank and used to investigate the effects of Cu²⁺‐exchanged montmorillonite (Cu‐MMT) on intestinal microflora, digestibility and digestive enzyme activities. The dietary treatments were: (i) basal diet, (ii) basal diet + 1.5 g kg^?1 MMT; (iii) basal diet + 30 mg kg^?1 copper as CuSO₄ (equivalent to the copper in the Cu‐MMT treatment group), or (iv) basal diet + 1.5 g kg^?1 Cu‐MMT. The results showed that supplementation with Cu‐MMT significantly improved growth performance as compared with the control and fish fed with Cu‐MMT had higher growth performance than those fed with MMT or CuSO₄. Supplementation with Cu‐MMT reduced (P < 0.05) the total intestinal aerobic bacterial counts and affected the composition of intestinal microflora with Aeromonas, Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, Alcaligence, Enterobacteriaceae decreasing as compared with the control. Addition of MMT improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, and the activities of intestinal amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase as compared with the control. Addition of Cu‐MMT improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude ash, and the activities of total protease, amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase as compared with the control. While supplementation with CuSO₄ had no (P > 0.05) effect on intestinal microflora, digestibility, and digestive enzyme activities the results showed that Cu‐MMT exhibited antibacterial activity in vivo resulting in a positive effect on digestive enzyme activities, and then promoted the digestion and absorption of dietary nutrition.     

Hepatic glucose utilization and lipogenesis of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis) in response to dietary carbohydrate level and complexity

The influence of carbohydrate level and complexity on in vitro hepatic glucose utilization and lipogenesis were determined in hybrid striped bass, Morone chrysops ♀ × Morone saxatilis ♂. Six isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets containing glucose, maltose, or dextrin at two different levels (200 or 400 g kg^?1 diet) were fed to adult fish for 15 weeks. Liver explants were obtained at near‐maximum postprandial glycaemic response and incubated with radioactive labelled substrates. Glycogen synthesis from [¹⁴C]glucose was not different among treatments and was less than ¹⁴CO₂ formation. ¹⁴CO₂ production increased as a function of carbohydrate level but was unrelated to carbohydrate complexity. There was no detectable conversion of [¹⁴C]glucose to lactate for any treatment. Rates of de novo lipogenesis from [1‐¹⁴C]acetate were high in comparison to [U‐¹⁴C]glucose or [9,10‐³H]palmitate incorporation into liver lipids and differed in response to carbohydrate level and complexity. [9,10‐³H]palmitate esterification was an order of magnitude less than glycogen and CO₂ production but 4–10 times greater than [¹⁴C]glucose incorporation into liver lipids. Palmitate incorporation did not differ among treatments. Incorporation of [¹⁴C]glucose into liver lipids was higher in fish fed diets containing 400 g kg^?1 carbohydrate. These data support the idea that glucose is not a major oxidative substrate in hybrid striped bass and indicate that the level of soluble carbohydrate should be limited to 200 g kg^?1 diet or less for hybrid striped bass.     

Dietary selenium requirement for on‐growing gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted in a flow‐through system to determine dietary selenium (Se) requirement for on‐growing gibel carp (initial body weight: 76.2 ± 0.05 g, mean ± SEM). Selenomethionine was supplemented to the basal diet to formulate seven semi‐purified diets containing 0.26, 0.58, 0.72, 1.14, 1.34, 1.73 and 2.09 mg Se kg^?1 diet. The results showed that plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased when fish were fed with 0.58 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and then decreased at 2.09 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Plasma T‐AOC activity was higher in fish fed with 0.72 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher in fish fed with 0.26 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). When fish were fed 1.14 mg Se kg^?1 diet, hepatic GSH‐Px, T‐AOC, GSH and CAT activities were significantly higher than those fed with 0.26 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher at 1.34 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Fish liver Se concentrations were significantly higher when fed with 0.72 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and then kept constant when Se ≥ 0.72 mg kg^?1 (P > 0.05). Whole‐body and muscle Se concentrations were higher when fed with 1.34 mg Se kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and kept a plateau when Se ≥ 1.34 mg kg^?1 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, based on broken‐line regression of hepatic Se concentrations, hepatic SOD activity and hepatic T‐AOC activity, dietary Se requirements for on‐growing gibel carp was 0.73 mg kg^?1, 1.12 mg kg^?1 and 1.19 mg kg^?1 diet respectively.     

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 replacing soybean meal with rubber seed meal on digestive enzyme activity,nutrient digestibility and retention in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with rubber seed meal (RSM) on digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility and retention in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with 0 (control), 100, 200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹ RSM replacing graded levels of SBM respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial average weight 5.2 g) per aquarium in a rearing system maintained at 29 ± 1°C for 8 weeks. The hepatic protease and lipase activities gradually decreased with increasing dietary RSM level, but no significant differences were observed among the low inclusion level (0–200 g kg⁻¹) groups. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and ash showed a similar trend as the hepatic protease and lipase activities. The retentions of protein and individual essential amino acid (except lysine, threonine and leucine) in fish fed diet with 200 g kg⁻¹ RSM were similar to those in fish fed the control diet. These results indicate that dietary RSM inclusion level up to 200 g kg⁻¹ did not markedly affect the digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility and retention in tilapia, whereas these were depressed by the inclusion of 400 g kg⁻¹ RSM.     

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.