Dietary magnesium requirements of juvenile grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

To determine dietary magnesium (Mg) requirements of juvenile grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, magnesium sulphate was added to the basal diet at 0, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400 mg Mg kg⁻¹ diet. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of juvenile grass carp (initial weight: 7.69 ± 0.13 g) in a closed, recirculating rearing system for 76 days. No mortality or nutritional deficiency signs were observed except the growth depression in fish fed the Mg‐deficient diet. Growth performance and activities of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lysozyme (LSZ) were highest (P <0.05) in fish fed the diet supplemented with 600 mg Mg kg⁻¹. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was higher (P <0.05) in fish fed the diets supplemented with 0 and 150 mg Mg kg⁻¹ than that in fish fed the diets with ≥300 mg Mg kg⁻¹. Mg concentrations both in whole‐body and vertebrae increased with the increase in dietary Mg level up to 300 mg kg⁻¹, whereupon the response reached a plateau. Analysis by second‐order polynomial regression of weight gain, by broken‐line regression of vertebrae Mg concentration and by linear regression of whole‐body Mg retention of fish indicated that the adequate dietary Mg concentration for juvenile grass carp was 713.5, 627.7 and 469.8 mg kg⁻¹ diet, respectively.     

Antifungal Activity of Rhein and Aloe‐Emodin from Rheum palmatum on Fish Pathogenic Saprolegnia sp.

Saprolegnia infections cause severe economic losses among freshwater fish farming. In this study, two known compounds, rhein and aloe‐emodin, were isolated from Rheum palmatum, and the in vitro inhibitory activity of both compounds against mycelial growth and spore germination of Saprolegnia was tested. Both rhein and aloe‐emodin were able to decrease Saprolegnia mycelial growth and spore activity in all tested concentrations after exposure for 48 h. Complete inhibition of mycelial growth was observed at 20 mg/L for rhein and at 50 mg/L for aloe‐emodin, while spore germination was 100% prevented at 16 and 40 mg/L for rhein and aloe‐emodin, respectively. Because rhein showed stronger in vitro anti‐Saprolegnia activity, it was further tested in vivo to measure the prevention and treatment efficacy on Saprolegnia infection of grass carp. Its acute activity to grass carp was also evaluated. The results revealed that exposure to rhein at 20 mg/L for 7 d could prevent 93.3% of infections by Saprolegnia in abraded grass carp, while 67.7% of infected fish could be recovered by treatment with rhein. The 48‐h median lethal concentration (48 h‐LC₅₀) to grass carp was 148.5 mg/L, which is about 7.4 times the effective dose indicating the safety for the use of rhein. This study suggests that rhein has promising anti‐Saprolegnia activity and may be an option in preventing and controlling Saprolegnia infection.     

基因重组草鱼生长激素(r-gGH)对草鱼鱼种生长的促进作用

家蚕多角体病毒表达系统在家蚕体内表达基因重组的草鱼生长激素(r-gGH)，具有与天然草鱼生长激素(GH)相似的免疫原性和生物活性。为了节省基因工程研究中的下游工作 (基因产物的分离和提纯)，本研究将含有r-gGH的家蚕直接作为饵料源，冻干并磨碎后拌在饵料中投喂草鱼鱼种，通过养殖实验及生化测定分析对比r-gGH促进草鱼鱼种生长的剂量依存关系，筛选活性强的处理剂量和处理时间，期望为鱼类养殖生产提供一种较为经济、来源容易、方法简易而又切实可行的促进鱼种生长并且可以大规模应用的方式。实验结果表明，投喂含有r-gGH的家蚕，有相当一部分被鱼体消化道吸收，进入血液循环。投喂2 h和6 h 后，草鱼鱼种的血清GH水平均显著高于对照组(投喂基本饲料)和投喂正常家蚕组；每天投喂和隔2天投喂，均使草鱼鱼种的血清GH水平显著升高，并对草鱼鱼种生长都有明显的促进作用。短期(3 d)和长期(42 d)投喂含有r-gGH 的家蚕，无论是低剂量(10 mg·g^-1饲料)还是高剂量(20 mg·g^-1饲料)，均极其显著地提高草鱼鱼种的血清GH水平；长期(42 d)投喂亦对草鱼鱼种的生长有显著的促进作用，鱼体的相对体重增长率、相对体长增长率、食物转化率和肥满度显著增加。     

铜和镉对草鱼肾脏中3种白细胞介素基因表达的影响

为探讨水体铜(Cu)和镉(Cd)污染对草鱼免疫系统的影响,本研究利用实时荧光定量PCR(QRT-PCR)技术,分析在不同时间(2、4、6、8 d)及不同质量浓度的Cu²⁺(0.10、0.20、0.40、0.60、0.80 mg/L)和Cd²⁺(0.05、0.10、0.20、0.30、0.40 mg/L)暴露下,草鱼肾脏中3种白细胞介素——白细胞介素-1β、白细胞介素-8和白细胞介素-10基因表达量的变化。试验结果显示,高质量浓度和长时间的Cu²⁺暴露(0.60、0.80 mg/L, 8 d)和Cd²⁺暴露(0.20、0.30、0.40 mg/L, 8 d)下,草鱼肾脏中的白细胞介素-1β、白细胞介素-8和白细胞介素-10基因表达量与对照组相比显著增加(P<0.05);在0.80 mg/L Cu²⁺,0.30、0.40 mg/L Cd²⁺暴露下的草鱼肾脏中白细胞介素-1β的基因表达量,以及在0.60、0.80 mg/L Cu²⁺暴露下的草鱼肾脏中白细胞介素-8和白细胞介素-10的基因表达量,均随着暴露时间的增加而逐渐升高,且第8 d时的基因表达量均显著高于第2 d时(P<0.05)。本研究揭示了高质量浓度和长时间的Cu²⁺、Cd²⁺暴露会使草鱼肾脏产生炎症反应,为进一步深入研究重金属对鱼类的免疫毒性机制奠定了基础。     

Effects of dietary selenium on growth performance and oxidative stress in juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary selenium (Se) on feed intake, weight gain and antioxidant activity in juvenile grass carp (11.2 ± 0.03 g). Six Se levels (0.13, 0.41, 0.56, 1.12, 2.18 and 4.31 mg/kg) of semi‐purified diets were assayed in triplicate. The maximum weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake were obtained in fish fed with 1.12 mg Se/kg diet. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity was markedly increased when dietary Se ≤1.12 mg/kg diet and reached a plateau when dietary Se ≥1.12 mg/kg diet. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and serum catalase activities in juvenile grass carp fed with 0.56, 1.12 and 2.18 mg Se/kg diets were all significantly higher than those in the other groups. The malondialdehyde content in liver and serum was firstly decreased and then increased with increasing dietary Se content, and the lowest content was observed in fish fed with 1.12 mg Se/kg diet. With the increase in Se level, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were reduced. In addition, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and albumin content were highest in fish fed with 1.12 mg Se/kg diet. This study indicated that both the Se deficiency and excess of Se caused negative effect on the oxidative stress in juvenile grass carp and suggested that the health‐giving concentration of dietary inorganic Se was 1.12 mg/kg diet. Moreover, based on the broken‐line regression analysis of weight gain, the optimal concentration of dietary inorganic Se was 0.83 mg/kg for juvenile grass carp.     

Dietary Thiamin Requirement of Juvenile Grass Carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

Dietary thiamin requirement of juvenile grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, was to investigate in this experiment. Eight purified diets were formulated with graded levels of thiamin (0.1, 0.6, 1.1, 2.1, 5.5, 9.8, 21.2, and 41.8 mg/kg, respectively). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 40 fish (initial average weight 10.7 ± 0.2 g) for 12 wk in 400‐L aquaria (R = 1 m, h = 0.6 m). Results showed that weight gain rate, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, and hepatosomatic indice of fish increased before dietary thiamin increased to the optimum level, then remained similar thereafter (P > 0.05). Thiamin concentration in fish liver was positively correlated with dietary thiamin and it stayed in stable when dietary thiamin level exceed 5.0 mg/kg. The serum biochemical indices analysis showed that dietary thiamin had significant effects on serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, pyruvate contents, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Body composition was unaffected by dietary thiamin. Broken‐line regression analysis showed that, a dietary thiamin level of 1.3 mg/kg diet was adequate for optimum growth, and 5.0 mg/kg for maximum liver thiamin accumulation.     

Dietary Moringa oleferia leaf meal induce growth,innate immunity and cytokine expression in grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

The present research was designed to investigate the growth promoting and immunostimulating properties of Moringa oleferia leaf meal (MLM) in grass carp. Juvenile grass carp (22.03 g ± 1.164) were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg MLM for 48 days. At the end of feeding trial, skin mucus was used for analysis of lysozyme, protease, antiprotease and peroxidase activity. Head kidney was used for expression analysis of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐8 and interferon‐γ. The obtained results showed that fish fed with 100 and 150 g/kg MLM had significant increase in weight gain and specific growth rate (p < .05). However, condition factor was not altered. The MLM (50 and 100 g/kg) inclusion resulted in higher mucus lysozyme and protease activity (p < .05), while peroxidase activity increased only in fish fed with 100 g/kg MLM and antiprotease activity was not altered. Expression of tnf‐α increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and significant (p < .05) increase was recorded in fish fed with 150 g/kg MLM. The expression of il‐8 and ifn‐γ increased in fish fed with 50 and 150 g/kg MLM; however, the increase was not significant (p > .05). In conclusion, supplementing juvenile grass carp feed with MLM up to 150 g/kg has growth promoting and immunostimulating effects.     

Screening of new Paenibacillus polymyxa S3 and its disease resistance of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

A new strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa S3 with antagonistic effects on 11 major fish pathogens (especially Aeromonas hydrophila), but had no toxicity to grass carp, was screened from the sediment of fishponds. In vivo colonization studies showed that strain S3 could be colonized and distributed in the gill and abdomen of the grass carp. Bioassay results showed that the weight growth rate of grass carp in the strain S3 oral group (16.01%) and strain S3 immersion group (16.44%) was significantly higher than those of the control group (8.61%). At the same time, the activities of ACP, AKP, CAT and GSH-Px in the serum of grass carp in oral and immersion groups were significantly higher than those of the control group. In addition, the treatment with strain S3 could significantly upregulate the expression of the antioxidant-related genes and immune-related genes Keap1, Nrf2, C3, LZM, IgM, TLR-4 and MyD-88 in grass carp tissues. The challenge test showed that strain S3 treatment significantly increased the survival rate of grass carp infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. Whole genome sequencing analysis showed that strain S3 had 16 active metabolite gene clusters, indicating that it had abundant gene resources, which provided important support for its development for fish microecological preparations. In summary, a new strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa S3 with antibacterial activity against a variety of fish pathogens was screened in this study and its probiotic function was evaluated, proving its potential value in fisheries.     

Haematological indices are modulated in juvenile carp, Cyprinus carpio L., exposed to microcystins produced by cyanobacterial water bloom

This study evaluated the influence of toxic cyanobacterial water blooms on the blood indices of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Experimental fish were exposed to a natural population of cyanobacterial water blooms (mainly Microcystis aeruginosa and M. ichthyoblabe), which contained microcystins [total concentration 133–284 μg g^?1 (DW), concentration in water 2.8–7.4 μg L^?1]. Haematological indices showed marked changes in fish exposed to the cyanobacterial population in comparison with the control group. Statistical evaluation of the influence of cyanobacterial water blooms on biochemical indices of the juvenile carp showed a distinct decrease in albumin, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, calcium, cholesterol, glucose, phosphorus and iron when compared to controls. Values of red blood counts [haemoglobin, haematocrit (PCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration] and lactate were significantly increased compared to controls. After exposure to cyanobacterial water bloom, the carp were kept in clean water to monitor the persistence of biochemical indices. The influence of cyanobacterial populations on calcium, cholesterol, glucose, lactate, phosphorus and PCV persisted up to 28 days after conclusion of the experiment. Duration of exposure, toxicity and density of cyanobacterial water blooms had an important impact on individual haematological indices.     

Protein‐sparing capability of dietary lipid in herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater finfish: a comparative case study on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus)

Two, 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to compare protein‐sparing capability of dietary lipid in herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and omnivorous tilapia (Oreochomis niloticus × O. aureus). Utilizing a 2 × 3 factorial design, experimental diets containing two levels of crude protein (380 and 250 g kg⁻¹) and three levels of lipid (0, 40 and 100 g kg⁻¹) were formulated for use in both feeding trials. Growth performances showed better response of both fish fed 380 g kg⁻¹ protein diet than those fed 250 g kg⁻¹ protein diet. Despite the dietary protein level, weight gain (WG), specific growth ratio (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio were much higher (P < 0.05) for grass carp fed 40 g kg⁻¹ lipid diet than those fed 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diet; however, there were no significant differences in tilapia fed the two diets. The feed intake of grass carp fed lipid‐free diet was the lowest, but it tended to decrease with increase in dietary lipids in tilapia. Lipid retention (LR) was negatively correlated with dietary lipid concentration of both fish. Viscerosomatic index (VSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), intraperitoneal fat ratio (IPF) and whole‐body and liver lipid content positively correlated with dietary lipid concentration of both fish. Plasma parameters and liver enzymes activities were also positively correlated with dietary lipid concentration of both fish. Liver lipid contents were higher and enzymes activities were lower in grass carp when compared with tilapia. These data suggested that there was no evidence of a protein‐sparing effect of dietary lipids in grass carp. Tilapia has relatively higher capacity to endure high dietary lipid level compared to grass carp.     

Lack of growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 action on in vivo and in vitro growth hormone secretion in sexually immature grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Studies in mammals have shown that synthetic Met-enkephalin derivatives, called growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs), stimulate growth hormone (GH) release. In the present study, GHRP-6 action on GH secretion was examined in vivo and in vitro in sexually immature grass carp. GHRP-6 injected intraperitoneally had no influences on serum GH levels in juvenile grass carp. Following intraperitonal injection of GHRP-6 and dopamine (DA) or cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH), alone and in combination into juvenile grass carp, DA and CSH were effective in elevating serum GH levels, but GHRP-6 was not effective in this respect; in addition, the synergistic action of GHRP-6 and DA or CSH on GH secretion was not seen. In this work, we had adapted and validated a perifusion system and a culture system for GH regulation studies. In a perifusion system, GHRP-6 (1000 to 0.1 nM), GHRP-6 (0.1 to 1000 nM), GHRP-6 (1 μM), and Hexarelin (an analog of GHRP, 1 μM) had no action on GH release from juvenile grass carp pituitary fragments or cells. Under static incubation conditions, GHRP-6 was inactive on GH release from juvenile grass carp pituitary fragments after 1 h and 6 h incubation, but human growth hormone-releasing hormone (hGHRH; 1 to 100 nM) as positive control could stimulate GH release in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, when GHRP-6 (100 nM) in combination static incubation with neuropeptides [e.g., hGHRH (100 nM), salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (sGnRH-A) (100 nM), or D-Ala⁶,Pro⁹-NEt-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (D-Ala⁶,Pro⁹-NEt-LHRH, LHRH-A) (100nM)], GHRP-6 did not strengthen GH secretion actions of neuropeptides, and at the same time neuropeptides also did not modify the effects of GHRP-6 on GH secretion. The present results obtained using in vivo and in vitro techniques adapted for GH regulation studies show that GHRP-6 does not function as a GH-releasing factor in juvenile grass carp as it does in tilapia, amphibians, chickens, and mammals.     

The use of synthetic LH-RH analogue to spawn Chinese carps *

Abstract. The synthetic LH-RH analogue, des-GLY¹⁰[D-Ala⁶] LRH ethylamide was shown to be effective for induced spawning of Chinese carps. Ovulation was induced in 23 of 34 female grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella Val., receiving a single injection of synthetic LH-RH analogue. Spawning success was 92% for 3-year and older fish at optimum temperatures (22–26°C). Reduced spawning success was noted for 2-year-old female fish, and when temperature exceeded 27°C. No mortality of study fish was observed following a single injection. Hybrid carp, grass carp x bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis Val., and grass carp x silver carp, Hypophthal-michthys molitrix Val., were produced using synthetic LH-RH analogue. Male grass carp, bighead carp and silver carp exhibiting pearl organs were stimulated to produce milt regardless of the presence or absence of free flowing milt at the time of injection. The potential importance of synthetic LH-RH analogue in fish culture and mechanisms of hormonal action are briefly discussed.     

饲料中添加生物素对草鱼幼鱼生长、体成分和血清生化指标的影响

在纯化饲料中分别添加生物素0、0.05、0.10、0.20、0.40、0.80、1.60 mg/kg投喂初始质量为(5.92±0.25)g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼8周,研究了不同生物素添加量对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养成分、血清生化指标的影响。试验结果显示:与对照组相比,添加生物素提高了草鱼幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率,降低了饲料系数。添加量为0.40 mg/kg时草鱼幼鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与对照组存在显著差异(P<0.05);添加不同水平生物素对草鱼幼鱼全鱼水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著影响,但添加量为0.40 mg/kg时粗蛋白含量最大。0.10 mg/kg组和0.20 mg/kg组的全鱼灰分含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05);添加生物素对血清总蛋白(TP)、血糖(GLU)和总胆固醇(TC)无显著影响,但显著提高了血清甘油三酯(TG)含量,各添加组TG含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),1.60 mg/kg添加组的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综合本试验结果,草鱼幼鱼饲料中生物素适宜添加量为0.40 mg/kg。     

Alpinia galanga oil—A new natural source of fish anaesthetic

This study explores the anaesthetic activity of Alpinia galanga oil (AGO) in fish. Cyprinus carpio (koi carp) was used as a fish model. It was found that the induction time to stage 3 anaesthesia and the recovery time of the fish after exposure to AGO were exponentially and polynomially correlated to AGO concentrations. The viability of normal blood cells of koi carp anaesthetized with 500 mg/L AGO was found to be higher than 90% for normal red blood cells and white blood cells and 89% for peripheral blood nuclear cells indicating nontoxicity of AGO to the fish. A concentration of 300 mg/L of AGO was the most suitable for anaesthetizing koi carp due to the safety and effectiveness aspects as being ideally fitted to anaesthetic criteria. This concentration gave the induction time of 205.55 ± 5.07 s and the recovery time of 202.50 ± 9.30 s. Determination of stress biomarker such as blood cortisol and glucose as well as gene expression showed that the blood cortisol level of the fish anaesthetized with AGO was similar to normal levels. Moreover, blood glucose level was significantly less increased than those anaesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate. Gene expressions of the fish cortisol receptor, cytochrome oxidase subunit1, heat shock protein 70 and Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPaseα₃ were significantly reduced after exposure to AGO indicating the advantages of AGO on fish stress reduction. Thus, AGO is a promising natural source for an alternative fish anaesthetics.     

大蒜素、枸杞多糖对草鱼血清非特异性免疫指标的影响

在草鱼幼鱼的基础饲料中分别添加不同剂量的大蒜素(0、0.4%、0.8%)、枸杞多糖(0、0.066%、0.132%),未添加组为对照组,探讨大蒜素、枸杞多糖对草鱼幼鱼血清溶菌酶(LSZ)、血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、补体C3含量和白细胞吞噬率的的影响.试验结果表明,在第28 d...     

Effects of supplemental phytic acid on the apparent digestibility and utilization of dietary amino acids and minerals in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

A feeding trial was conducted for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of supplemental phytic acid (PA) on the apparent digestibility and utilization of dietary amino acids (AAs) and minerals in juvenile grass carp. Five experimental diets consisted of graded levels of PA (0.2, 4.7, 9.5, 19.1 and 38.3 g kg^?1, named as P0, P5, P10, P20 and P40). Triplicate groups of fish (initial weight, 22.37 ± 0.16 g) were fed twice daily (08:00 and 16:00 h). The crude protein content in whole body significantly (p < .05) decreased in fish fed with 19.1 and 38.3 g PA kg^?1 diet. Supplemental PA (>4.7 g kg^?1) significantly reduced the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of AAs (Asp, Thr, Ser, Glu, Gly, Ala, Cys, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Phe, Lys, Pro, His and Arg) and the ADC of minerals (P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) in grass carp. The contents of minerals (P, Ca, Mg and Zn) in whole body and bone were also found to be significantly reduced in dietary PA > 4.7 g kg^?1, while the bone ash, serum Alkp and Zn contents were found to be significantly decreased when the PA supplementation level was above 9.5 g kg^?1, and the contents of serum Ca and Mg were found to be markedly altered in higher PA‐supplemented groups. The results indicated that supplemental PA decreased the apparent digestibility and utilization of AAs and minerals, and thus reduced the feed utilization of grass carp, suggesting that the level of total PA should be below 4.7 g kg^?1 in grass carp diet.     

Carbohydrate utilization by herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater fish species: a comparative study on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio. var CAS III) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate dietary carbohydrate utilization by omnivorous gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (2.4 ± 0.1 g) and herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (6.5 ± 0.1 g). Five isonitrogenous (370 g kg^?1) and isolipid (70 g kg^?1) diets were formulated with increasing corn starch levels (60, 140, 220, 300 and 380 g kg^?1). Results showed that specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) of gibel carp significantly increased from dietary starch of 60 to 300 g kg^?1 and then decreased from 300 to 380 g kg^?1, but those of grass carp showed no significant differences between treatments. Independent of dietary starch levels, grass carp gained significantly higher FE and PRE than gibel carp. Feeding rate (FR) of gibel carp was significantly higher than that of grass carp. In two fish species, high dietary starch (300 and 380 g kg^?1) tended to obtain higher hepatosomatic index (HSI), serum triglyceride, hepatic lipid and body lipid contents. Serum glucose concentration of grass carp was not affected, while that of gibel carp fed the starch of 300 g kg^?1 diet was significantly lower than those of the fish fed other four diets (60, 140, 220 and 380 g kg^?1). Grass carp showed high tolerance to dietary starch while dietary corn starch should be no more than 300 g kg^?1 for gibel carp. High starch contents may cause lipid accumulation in the liver and body.     

Effect of Protein and Starch Level in Practical Extruded Diets on Growth,Feed Utilization,Body Composition,and Hepatic Transaminases of Juvenile Grass Carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

Six practical extruded diets were formulated to investigate the effect of graded levels of starch (17, 22, and 26%) associated with either 30 or 34% protein level on growth, feed utilization, body composition, and hepatic transaminases of juvenile grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella. Over an 8‐wk growth trial, survival rates (99–100%) were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Independent of dietary starch level, weight gain (WG, %), specific growth rate (SGR, %/d), and feed efficiency ratio (FER) showed significant better response (P < 0.05) of fish fed 34% protein diet than those of fish fed 30% protein diet. Protein productive value (PPV) was only affected by dietary protein level, with higher values in the 34% protein level than their 30% counterparts. Irrespective of dietary protein level, lipid productive value (LPV), energy productive value (EPV), viscerosomatic index (VSI, %), intraperitoneal fat ratio (IPF, %), and whole body, liver, and muscle lipid level increased with increasing starch supply. At the same protein level, plasma triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), and low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) increased when dietary starch level increased from 17 to 26%. Neither dietary protein level nor starch level affected activities of hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and aspartate transferase (ASAT). The overall results in this study suggested that the higher 34% protein was superior for juvenile grass carp and an increase in dietary starch level did not improve growth or protein utilization but enhanced whole‐body lipid deposition and liver, viscera and muscle lipid level. The diet containing 34% protein and 17% starch was optimal for practical production of juvenile grass carp.     

Utilization of different dietary lipid sources at high level in herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): mechanism related to hepatic fatty acid oxidation

Herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) has been reported to exhibit low capacity to utilize high dietary lipid, but different lipid sources might affect this limited capacity. In order to compare the effects of different lipid sources with different lipid levels, juvenile grass carp were fed one of nine diets containing three oils [lard, plant oil mixed by maize and linseed oil, and n‐3 high unsaturated fatty acid‐enriched (HUFA‐enriched) fish oil] at three lipid levels (20, 60 and 100 g kg^?1 dry diet) for 8 weeks. Decreased feed intake, poor growth performance, hepatic pathology and higher blood lipid peroxidation were found in 60 and 100 g kg^?1 fish oil groups. Conversely, in lard and plant oil groups, even at 100 g kg^?1 dietary lipid level, feed intake and growth performance did not decrease, despite histological observation revealed hepatic pathology in these groups. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol contents increased significantly in all 100 g kg^?1 dietary lipid groups. In the comparison of hepatic FA β‐oxidation among three oil groups at 60 g kg^?1 dietary lipid level, impaired mitochondrial and peroxisomal FA oxidation capacity was observed in fish oil group. The results confirmed the relatively low capacity of grass carp to utilize high dietary lipid, and furthermore excess HUFA intake will result in more serious adverse effects than other FA.