Dietary nucleotide‐rich yeast supplementation improves growth,innate immunity and intestinal morphology of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary nucleotide (NT)‐rich yeast supplementation on growth, innate immunity and intestinal morphology in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 10, 30 and 50 g/kg of NT‐rich yeast, respectively. A total of 480 shrimp with an average initial body weight of 1.86 ± 0.02 g were randomly allocated into four groups, with four replicates per group and 30 shrimp each replicate. The results indicated that shrimp fed the diet containing 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast had significantly higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) than those fed the control diet, and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in the shrimp fed the 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast supplemental diet. However, there was no significant difference in survival among all treatments. The crude protein of whole shrimp in the 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast group was higher than that in the control group. Total protein, triglyceride concentrations, the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum were significantly influenced by the dietary NT‐rich yeast supplementation. The activities of serum phenoloxidase (PO) and lysozyme (LZM) of shrimp fed the diet containing 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast were higher than those in shrimp fed the other diets. Relative expressions of alp and lzm significantly upregulated in the 30 g/kg NT‐rich yeast group compared to the control group. The intestinal fold height and fold width in the 30 g/kg NT‐rich yeast group were significantly higher than those fed the control diet; and the highest microvillus height occurred in the shrimp fed the 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast diet. In summary, dietary 30–50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast supplementation promotes growth performance, enhances innate immunity and improves intestinal morphology of Litopenaeus vannamei.     

The urogenital papillae as an indicator of sexual maturity in male African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, (Burchell, 1822)

The present study investigated a non‐invasive method based on macroscopic morphological features of male Clarias gariepinus for the assessment of sexual maturity stage. As African catfish cannot be stripped for semen as in most other fish species; they have to be killed to obtain semen from the testes. This method could be used to ensure that males used to obtain sperm are sexually mature to increase the concentration and quality of mature sperm for egg fertilization in the production of C. gariepinus. Morphological features including the length and width of the urogenital papillae (UGP), an external secondary sexual characteristic of C. gariepinus (n = 89) were measured and calculated as a percentage of total body length. The urogenital papillae length (L_UGP) and width (W_UGP) index of each fish were used and compared with the macroscopic and microscopic maturity stage of the testes. The results revealed that although positive, a significant correlation does not exist between the L_UGP or W_UGP and maturity stage of the testes. Therefore, although this procedure would be valuable as an initial non‐invasive assessment of maturity, it does not provide an accurate or reliable indication of the maturity stage of the fish.     

Ovoviviparously produced Artemia nauplii are a suitable live food source for the larvae of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus: Burchell, 1822)

Brine shrimp Artemia, the most common live food organism used in larviculture, can reproduce either oviparously (production of dormant cysts) or ovoviviparously (direct production of nauplii), depending on environmental conditions. Ovoviviparous Artemia nauplii have seldom been considered as a source of live food in aquaculture, partly due to the convenience and the developed techniques associated with the production and use of the dormant cysts. In many countries in Africa, however, hatchery managers do not have access to a reliable supply of affordable good quality cysts. In this study, we therefore demonstrated the potential of a system designed for the continuous ovoviviparous production of nauplii at low salinity, using Great Salt Lake Artemia franciscana and micronized agricultural material as feed. The suitability of the produced nauplii was tested by feeding them directly to Clarias gariepinus larvae in comparison with oviparous nauplii and decapsulated cysts. Higher survival (100%), better protein efficiency ratio (2.6 ± 0.1) and food conversion ratio (1.0 ± 0.1) was observed in larvae fed with the ovoviviparous nauplii (p < 0.05). Overall, we conclude that the ovoviviparous nauplii could serve as an alternative live food for larval fish. If optimized, the system could be validated for integration in hatcheries.     

Dietary combination of pawpaw seed and onion peel powder: Impact on growth,haematology, biochemical and antioxidant status of Clarias gariepinus

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of pawpaw–onion powder (POP) mixture on the growth, and haemato‐biochemical and antioxidant responses of Clarias gariepinus (4.02 ± 0.01g/fish) for 60 days. Five trial diets were formulated as control (without POP or antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP)), AGP (basal diet + 10ml AGP/kg diet), POP 2.5 (basal diet + 2.5g POP/kg diet), POP 5.0 (basal diet + 5.0g POP/kg diet) and POP 10 (basal diet + 10g POP/kg diet). Two hundred and twenty‐five fish were equally distributed into five groups in triplicate and fed twice daily. The results indicate that AGP or POP supplementation exerted no effects on the growth and blood profile among the various groups, but a significantly higher lymphocyte count was observed in POP 10g/kg. The highest whole‐body protein and lipid contents were noticed in fish fed the control diet (p < .05), whereas POP 5.0g/kg group recorded the highest hepatosomatic value. Furthermore, the cholesterol level was found to be lower in the AGP‐ and POP‐fed fish compared with the higher level recorded in the control. The glucose concentration and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were found to be higher in POP 2.5‐fed fish, whereas POP 10‐fed fish showed higher catalase activities compared with other groups (p < .05). Based on the result obtained, this study showed that dietary POP had no significant impact on the growth performance but has direct effects on the whole‐body lipid content, lymphocyte count, cholesterol level, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and antioxidant response of Clarias gariepinus.     

Comparison of the lipid properties of healthy and pansteatitis‐affected African sharptooth catfish,Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), and the role of diet in pansteatitis outbreaks in the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park,South Africa

Pansteatitis has been identified in wild populations of sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), and Nile crocodiles, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, inhabiting the same waters in the Olifants River Gorge in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Mesenteric and pectoral fat tissue was investigated microscopically and by fatty acid analysis in healthy and pansteatitis‐affected catfish from both captive and wild populations. Variation in fatty acid composition between pectoral and mesenteric fat was noted. Composition of mesenteric fat differed between fish from various localities as a result of differences in diet. Pansteatitis in the captive population, resulting from ingestion of high amounts of dietary oxidized fat, reflected higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids within the mesenteric fat. Mesenteric fat of pansteatitis‐affected wild catfish was characterized by an increase in moisture content, a decrease in fat content and a decrease in stearic and linoleic acids. The n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acid ratio of mesenteric fat was higher in pansteatitis‐affected wild catfish than in healthy catfish from the same locality, reflecting higher polyunsaturated fat intake by pansteatitis‐affected fish. The possible role of alien, invasive, phytoplankton‐feeding silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes), in the aetiology of pansteatitis in both catfish and crocodiles in the Olifants Gorge is discussed.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with β‐glucan and synbiotics on growth,haemolymph chemistry,and intestinal microbiota and morphology in the Pacific white shrimp

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with β‐glucan and microencapsulated probiotics (Bacillus subtilis or Pediococcus acidilactici) on growth performance, body composition, haemolymph constituents, and intestinal morphology and microbiota of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Four treatment diets [basal diet (C), β‐glucan‐containing diet (β‐glu), β‐glucan plus B. subtilis‐containing diet (β‐glu+Bs), and β‐glucan plus P. acidilactici‐containing diet (β‐glu+Pa)] were fed to L. vannamei for 90 days. Shrimp fed the β‐glu and β‐glu+Pa diets exhibited similar growth performance and body protein content, which were significantly higher than those of shrimp fed the control diet (P < 0.05). No significant differences in haemolymph triglyceride, cholesterol, protein, haemolymph urea nitrogen or chloride were detected among the experimental diets. However, dietary β‐glucan alone increased the haemolymph glucose level and osmolarity (P < 0.05). Synbiotic supplementation had greater effects on intestinal microbiota and morphology than dietary β‐glucan alone. For example, β‐glu+Bs increased the number of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and decreased the number of Vibrio spp. (P < 0.05), and β‐glu+Pa increased the height of intestinal villi.     

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilussupplementation on growth performances,digestive enzyme activities and gut histomorphology of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmusSauvage, 1878) juveniles

The influence of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, gut histomorphology and gut microflora were evaluated in juveniles striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). Five experimental diets were formulated by supplementing 0, 10³, 10⁵, 10⁷ and 10⁹ CFU/g L. acidophilus in fishmeal and casein‐based semi‐purified diet. Triplicate groups of striped catfish (21.69 ± 0.18 g) were stocked in 15 fiberglass tanks with stocking density of 25 individuals per tank and fed twice daily at 2.5% of the fish body weight for 12 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and the protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed with 10⁵ and 10⁷CFU/g L. acidophilussupplemented diets compared with the other treatment groups. Compared with the control and fish fed low (10³ CFU/g) L. acidophilus supplementation, those fed with 10⁵ and 10⁷ CFU/g had significantly higher (p < 0.05) apparent protein digestibility. Inclusion of L. acidophilus at 10⁷ CFU/g diet significantly increased amylase, protease and lipase activities. Microscopic analysis showed that the villi length in both the anterior and posterior gut and microvilli length in the posterior gut increased significantly in fish fed L. acidophilus supplementation at 10⁵ and 10⁷ CFU/g of diet. The fish fed L. acidophilus supplemented diets significantly increased the total lactic acid bacteria counts in the gut of striped catfish compared with the control‐fed group. Based on gut histomorphology and growth performance, inclusion of L. acidophilus at 10⁵ CFU/g appears to have the most positive effect on striped catfish farming.     

Commercial Bacillus probiotic supplementation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchys mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta): growth,immune responses and intestinal morphology

Probiotic administration is associated with the enhancement of host resistance to environmental and nutritional stressors, improving survival and growth rates. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus toyoi on growth performance, innate immune responses and gut morphology of two trout species feeding a commercial diet high in soybean meal. A commercial probiotic (4.2 × 10⁹ CFU g^?1 of additive) was supplemented to the experimental diets at 0% (control), 0.03% (P₁; 6 × 10³ CFU g^?1 of diet) or 0.06% (P₂; 1.5 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1 of diet) and fed to brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for 9 and 20 weeks respectively. Rainbow trout showed significantly better growth performance than brown trout, regardless of the dietary treatment. No effect of dietary probiotic supplementation was detected on growth performance, body composition or innate immune parameters (plasma lysozyme, alternative complement and peroxidase activities). In both species, after 9 weeks, intestinal lamina propria and submucosa were widened, with increased presence of inflammatory cells, significantly higher in groups fed probiotics. This inflammatory process, with villi and enterocytes noticeably damaged compared with the control group, was more pronounced in brown trout. Under the current trial conditions, the B. subtilis + B. cereus toyoi had no positive impact in either trout species, on the contrary a harmful effect was observed.     

Improvement of reproductive indices,lysozyme activity,and disease resistance in live‐bearing ornamental fish,Poecilia latipinna using Artemia supplementation with treated yeast cell,Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the present study, the effects of Artemia supplemented with 2‐β‐mercapto‐ethanol (β‐ME) treated yeast cell, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on growth and reproductive performance, lysozyme activity, and disease resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of freshwater ornamental species, Poecilia latipinna, were investigated. Within 60 days, molly fish were fed with three treatments including commercial food (T1), un‐supplemented Artemia (T2), and Artemia supplemented with β‐ME‐treated yeast cell (at concentration of 4 × 10⁷ CFU/L of water) (T3). After the feeding period, the fish were exposed to 100 μl of a suspension (1.1 × 10⁷ cells/ml) of A. hydrophila (BCCM5/LMG3279) and the cumulative mortality rates were recorded for 12 days. No significant difference was found between survival rate and growth performance of P. latipinna except for weight gain that was higher in fish fed through Artemia supplemented with β‐ME‐treated yeast cell compared to control group. Fecundity rate was significantly improved in fish fed using T3 with the maximum amount of 49.5 ± 2.29 per female (p < 0.05). Besides, lysozyme activity was significantly increased in group 3 (p < 0.05). Moreover, lowest fish mortality was significantly observed in this treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the number of colonies formed by yeast cell in T3 (634 × 10³ CFU/g intestine) showed significant difference with other treatments (p < 0.05). In sum, Artemia enriched with β‐ME‐treated yeast improved reproductive indices, immune responses, and resistance against A. hydrophila of P. latipinna.     

Effects of fish meal replacement by soybean meal with supplementation of functional compound additives on intestinal morphology and microbiome of Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

A 15‐week trial was carried out to estimate the effects of functional compound additives (FCA) on intestinal morphology and microbiome in Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus, fed diets with soybean meal (SBM) partially replacing fish meal (FM). The formulation of FCA was the mixture of antioxidant, immunopotentiator and Mintrex^® trace elements. Four isonitrogenous (45%) and isolipidic (11%) diets, including FM42 (the control group without FCA), FM35 (15% FM protein substitution level with FCA), FM21 (50% FM protein substitution level with FCA) and FM21‐N (50% FM protein substitution level without FCA) were formulated. Quadruplicate groups of seabass (initial average weight 125.65 ± 0.60 g) were randomly handfed each diet twice daily in seawater floating cage. No significant differences were found in microvillus height (HMV) and muscular thickness (MT) of distal intestine among fish fed FM42, FM35 and FM21, whereas the HMV, MT and fold height (HF) in seabass fed FM42 were significantly higher than those of seabass fed FM21‐N (P < 0.05). Seabass fed FM21‐N had more obvious enteritis parameters such as tissue disruption, wider lamina propria and less mucosal fold than those in seabass fed FM21. High‐throughput sequencing technology of gut flora showed that Proteobacteria was the most dominant bacteria at phylum level among groups. There was no significant difference in relative abundance and composition of gut microflora among groups. In conclusion, supplementation of FCA might partially eliminate SBM‐induced enteritis, but the composition and relative abundance of intestinal microflora were not affected by dietary treatments.     

Effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance,feed utilization,intestinal morphology and metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

This study investigated the effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance, feed utilization and metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Fish (initial weight: 14.77 ± 0.45 g) were randomly fed one of five practical diets supplemented with graded levels of lysolecithin (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/kg) in quadruplicate groups for 10 weeks. Results showed that no significant differences in weight gain, condition factor and viscerosomatic index among all the treatments. Fish fed diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg lysolecithin had significantly decreased feed conversion ratio and significantly increased protein efficiency ratio compared to that fed the control diet. The group with 250 mg/kg of dietary lysolecithin had higher protein and lower lipid contents in the whole body, and lower lipid content in the liver than those in the control group. Groups supplemented with 250–500 mg/kg of dietary lysolecithin had significantly higher gastric and intestinal lipase activities than the control group. Dietary lysolecithin at the level of 250 mg/kg significantly increased the activities of Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, total antioxidative capacity, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde compared to the control diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of lysolecithin could confer benefits of feed utilization, body composition and antioxidative capacity of channel catfish.     

Dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis LT3‐1 enhance the growth,immunity and disease resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae infection in genetically improved farmed tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of Bacillus subtilis LT3‐1 in diets on growth, immune parameters, intestinal morphology and disease resistance in genetically improved farmed tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Fish (46.91 ± 0.17 g) were fed with a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis LT3‐1 at 0 (B0), 3.8 × 10¹⁰ (B1), 7.6 × 10¹⁰ (B2), 1.14 × 10¹¹ (B3) and 1.52 × 10¹¹ (B4) CFU kg^?1 for 6 weeks. The results showed that the weight gain of fish in B1 group was significantly enhanced compared to that in B0 group (p < 0.05). The addition of B. subtilis significantly affected serum biochemical indices (total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase). Besides, the haematocrit, total counts of red and white blood cells, as well as the serum catalase and lysozyme activities, were increased, whereas the serum malondialdehyde, the serum immunoglobulin M and complement three contents were reduced. Parameters for intestinal morphology suggested a healthier intestine for the fish fed B. subtilis‐supplemented diets than fish fed the control diet. The survival rate after Streptococcus agalactiae challenge increased in tilapia fed with B. subtilis. The present study demonstrated B. subtilis can effectively improve growth, immunological status and resistance against S. agalactiae infection in tilapia farming.     

Effect of dietary fermented soybean meal on growth,intestinal morphology and microbiota in juvenile large yellow croaker,Larimichthys crocea

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacement of fish meal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSM) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and microbiota of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Replacement ratio of FM with FSM were 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75%, respectively (marked as FSM0, FSM15, FSM30, FSM45, FSM60 and FSM75). The results indicated that the survival ranged from 84.78% to 99.44%, and no significant differences were observed among all treatments (p > 0.05). Weight gain ratio (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly decreased when the replacement level of FM protein exceeded 60%, and fish fed the FSM60 and FSM75 diets had lower WGR and SGR than those fed the other diets. Feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) significantly increased with replacement levels of FM increasing. Illumina high‐throughput sequence analyses showed that the alpha diversity did not differ among the diets of FSM0, FSM15 and FSM75. The whole community of tested samples was not modified by FSM, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant flora in the intestines based on the phyla level. The dominant phyla in the water sample were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes. Fish fed the diet containing FSM75 significantly reduced the species abundance of Paenibacillus. There was a certain correlation between the intestine microbiota and SGR, antioxidant, and immune. Results indicated that up to 45% of FM can be replaced by FSM without negative effects on growth performance and intestinal integrity of juvenile large yellow croaker.     

Inosine supplementation effectively provokes the growth,immune response,oxidative stress resistance and intestinal morphology of juvenile red sea bream,Pagrus major

A feeding trial was conducted to determine effects of dietary inosine on growth, immune responses, oxidative stress resistance and intestinal morphology of juvenile red sea bream. A semi‐purified basal diet supplemented with 0 (D1, control), 2 g kg^?1 (D2), 4 g kg^?1 (D3), 6 g kg^?1 (D4) and 8 g kg^?1 (D5) dietary inosine, respectively, to formulate five experimental diets. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight: 8 g). After 50 days of feeding trial, fish fed diets with 4 g kg^?1 inosine had the highest (p < .05) final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate. Similarly, improved feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also found at 4 g kg^?1 inosine supplemented group. Some non‐specific immune parameters such as total serum protein, lysozyme activity and bactericidal activity tended to be higher for fish fed diets supplemented with inosine. Peroxidase and catalase activity also influenced (p < .05) by dietary inosine supplementation. Fish fed 2 g kg^?1 and 4 g kg^?1 inosine supplemented diets showed the least oxidative stress condition. Inosine supplementation significantly increased (p < .05) anterior enterocyte height and posterior fold height, enterocyte height and microvillus height compared with control. We concluded that 4 g kg^?1 dietary inosine supplementation effectively provokes growth and health performance of red sea bream by increasing growth, immune response, oxidative stress resistance and intestinal health condition.     

酵母水解物对凡纳滨对虾生长、消化酶活性和肠道形态的影响

本实验旨在研究饲料中添加酵母水解物对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生长性能、血清生化指标、肝胰腺消化酶活性以及肠道形态的影响。酵母水解物添加量分别为0%、1%、3%和5%,配制4种等氮等脂(42.5%粗蛋白和8.5%粗脂肪)的实验饲料。选取初始体重为(1.86±0.02)g的凡纳滨对虾480尾,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复30尾,进行为期8周的养殖实验。结果表明饲料中添加5%酵母水解物组的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)和蛋白质效率(PER)显著高于对照组(P0.05),而该组饲料系数(FCR)最低(P0.05)。对虾全虾粗蛋白含量随饲料中酵母水解物的增加而呈上升趋势,且5%酵母水解物添加组显著高于对照组(P0.05)。添加5%的酵母水解物显著提高了凡纳滨对虾血清总蛋白(TP)和甘油三酯(TG)含量,降低了谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)的活性(P0.05)。各处理组肝胰腺淀粉酶活性和对照组相比差异不显著(P0.05),但3%酵母水解物添加组的胰蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性显著高于对照组(P0.05)。3%酵母水解物添加组的对虾肠道皱襞高度和皱襞宽度显著高于对照组(P0.05),而5%添加组的微绒毛高度显著高于对照组(P0.05)。综上所述,在本实验条件下,饲料中添加3%~5%的酵母水解物能有效改善凡纳滨对虾生长性能、提高饲料利用率、促进消化吸收以及改善肠道形态学指标。     

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

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