Effect of replacing dietary fish meal with black soldier fly larvae meal on growth and fatty acid composition of Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

To explore the effect of replacing dietary fish meal (FM) with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFLM) on growth and body composition of Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian), the FM in basal diet of Jian carp was replaced by 0, 35, 70, 105 and 140 g/kg BSFLM respectively to form five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets. A total of 300 Jian carp (10.1 ± 1.6 g) were randomly divided into five groups (triplicate per group) and fed five diets, respectively. After 56 days of feeding, growth and body composition of fish were determined. Results showed that serum maleic dialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, 18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 in fish significantly decreased and 12:0, 14:0 and 16:0 significantly increased with increasing replacement of BSFLM. The growth, biological parameters, proximate composition, amino acid composition and serum biochemical parameters of Jian carp were not affected by the replacement of BSFLM. In conclusion, up to 140 g/kg BSFLM (100% replacement of FM) can be included in diets of Jian carp without unfavourable effects on growth while decreasing n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) composition in body of fish, suggesting that BSFLM could be used after nutrient enrichment with n‐3 HUFA to bring active effects on fish quality.     

Influence of replacing fish meal with enzymatic hydrolysates of defatted silkworm pupa (Bombyx mori L.) on growth performance,body composition and non‐specific immunity of juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of enzymatic hydrolysates of defatted silkworm pupa (EHDSP) on growth performance, body composition and non‐specific immunity of juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis). The control diet (EHDSP0) was produced using fish meal (FM) as the main protein source and the other four diets were formulated by substitution of 25% (EHDSP25), 50% (EHDSP50), 75% (EHDSP75) and 100% (EHDSP100) FM with EHDSP. Five groups containing 270 juvenile mirror carp (14.51 ± 0.03 g) were fed to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the special growth rate, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion rate of experimental fish in EHDSP25 and EHDSP50 groups were not significantly different from EHDSP0 group (p > .05). The spleen index of experimental fish in EHDSP25 group was significantly higher than that of EHDSP0 group (p < .05). The muscle protein content of experimental fish in EHDSP25 and EHDSP50 groups was significantly higher than that of EHDSP0 group (p < .05). Serum alanine aminotransferase and total cholesterol of experimental fish fed with the EHDSP were significantly lower than that of control (p < .05). The activity of serum superoxide dismutase of experimental fish in EHDSP25, EHDSP50 groups was significantly higher than that of EHDSP0 group (p < .05). Intestinal trypsin activity of EHDSP25 group was significantly higher than that of EHDSP0 (p < .05). In conclusion, EHDSP can be included into diet to replace 50% FM of juvenile mirror carp without negative effect on growth, furthermore, it can improve the non‐specific immunity and function of intestinal tract.     

黑水虻幼虫培养基替代豆粕对吉富罗非鱼生长、体组成和血清生化指标的影响

在实用饲料(含豆粕35.0%,豆粕粗蛋白质含量为47.7%)的基础上,用黑水虻幼虫培养基分别替代0(G0)、15%(G15)、30%(G30)、45%(G45)的豆粕,配制成4种等氮(31%),等脂(6%)的实验饲料,以研究罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)饲料中黑水虻幼虫培养基替代豆粕的可行性。将400尾初始体重为(2.30±0.02)g的罗非鱼随机分成4组(每组设4个重复,每个重复25尾),其中以饲喂G0实验饲料的组为对照组,实验期为8周。结果显示:黑水虻幼虫培养基替代豆粕对罗非鱼增重率、饵料系数、存活率影响不显著。与G0组相比,各替代组罗非鱼全鱼粗蛋白、灰分、水分含量差异不显著,但随着替代量的增加,全鱼粗脂肪含量显著降低,G45组全鱼粗脂肪含量显著低于对照组。黑水虻幼虫培养基替代豆粕对罗非鱼肥满度影响不显著,但肝体比随着替代量的增加显著降低,在30%的替代量时差异达到显著水平。与G0组相比,各替代组罗非鱼血清白蛋白、球蛋白、血糖、甘油三酯、胆固醇、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶以及尿素含量差异不显著。由以上研究结果得出,在豆粕用量为35%的基础饲料中,黑水虻幼虫培养基可替代豆粕用量的45%而不影响罗非鱼生长,黑水虻幼虫培养基在基础饲料中的添加量为34.6%,占饲料总蛋白质含量的23.69%;黑水虻幼虫培养基可显著降低罗非鱼全鱼粗脂肪含量以及肝体比。     

Effects of temperature and dietary protein on the growth performance and IGF‐I mRNA expression of juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Juvenile mirror carp were fed with five different diets containing 303, 322, 341, 361 and 379 g kg^?1 protein and reared at three different water temperatures (18, 23 and 28 °C) for 60 days. We investigated the insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) mRNA expression, growth performance and the relationship between IGF‐I mRNA expression and the growth performance. The results indicated that the IGF‐I mRNA expression, final body weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) were enhanced significantly with increasing dietary protein levels (P < 0.05), whereas the protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index (HSI) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) were decreased. Moreover, the IGF‐I mRNA expression, final body weight and SGR were increased significantly with temperature, whereas the HSI and VSI indices were decreased significantly with temperature. Correlation analysis showed that the IGF‐I mRNA expression levels in the brain and liver were positively related to the SGR and FE growth indices (P < 0.01). Finally, the optimal protein requirements for fish growth in different seasons were determined based on the values of SGR and FE, that is 343–348 g kg^?1 protein at 18 °C, 354–352 g kg^?1 at 23 °C and 371–362 g kg^?1 at 28 °C. In this way, we can adjust the dietary protein levels according to culture temperature to reduce any negative impacts on dietary costs and environmental pollution.     

Effects of dietary thiamin supplement on growth,body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A total of 1050 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (8.20 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing seven graded levels of thiamin (0.25, 0.48, 0.79, 1.06, 1.37, 1.63 and 2.65 mg kg^?1) for 60 days to investigate the effects of thiamin on growth, body composition and digestive enzyme activities. Percent weight gain (PWG), feed intake and feed efficiency (FE) were the lowest in fish fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Protein productive value and lipid productive value increased with increasing dietary thiamin levels up to 1.06 and 0.79 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively (P < 0.05). Body protein and lipid increased with increasing dietary thiamin levels (P < 0.05), while moisture and ash of fish carcasses decreased with the increase in dietary thiamin supplementation (P < 0.05). Intestinal folds height had a similar trend to PWG (P < 0.05). Activities of α‐amylase, lipase, trypsin, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase in intestine were all affected by the dietary thiamin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, thiamin could improve growth and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp. The dietary thiamin requirement of juvenile Jian carp (8.0–60.2 g) based on PWG was 1.02 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Effects of dietary histidine on antioxidant capacity in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that dietary histidine could improve antioxidant capacity of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). A total of 1,200 juvenile Jian carp were fed graded levels of histidine at 2.3 (unsupplemented control), 4.4, 6.3, 8.6, 10.8 and 12.7 g/kg diet for 60 days. Results showed that the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) in serum and all tissues apparently decreased with increasing histidine levels up to an optimal level and increased thereafter. Anti-superoxide anion (ASA) capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and glutathione (GSH) content in serum and all tissues, anti-hydroxyl radical (a-HR) capacity, catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in serum, muscle and intestine, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in serum and intestine, as well as glutathione reductase (GR) activity in serum, muscle and hepatopancreas were improved by dietary histidine. Fish fed diet with 8.6 g/kg histidine had lower serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activity than that fed with control diet, whereas pattern of glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity was opposite. The present results suggested that histidine could improve antioxidant capacity and inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation of juvenile Jian carp.     

Effect of dietary iron levels on growth,body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A 60‐day feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of iron on growth, body composition and digestive enzyme activities. Diets with seven levels of iron (53.9, 90.0, 115.6, 146.1, 176.0, 215.8 and 266.0 mg iron kg^?1 diet) were fed to Jian carp (initial weight 11.4 ± 0.0 g). Per cent weight gain (PWG), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio were the lowest in fish fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Body protein content was increased with the increasing iron levels (P < 0.05), but moisture, lipid and ash of fish were not significantly affected by dietary iron levels (P > 0.05). Activities of trypsin, lipase, α‐amylase, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase were improved with increasing dietary iron levels. Serum iron were significantly enhanced with dietary iron levels up to 146.1 mg iron kg^?1 diet, and plateaued. In conclusion, iron improved digestive enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp and the dietary iron requirement for serum iron of juvenile Jian carp (11.4–64.0 g) was 147.4 mg iron kg^?1 diet with ferrous fumarate as the iron source.     

Effects of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal protein as a fishmeal replacement on the growth and immune index of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

A 65 days feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a fish meal (FM) protein alternative in the diet of yellow catfish. Fish meal protein was replaced with BSFL meal protein at 0% (control), 13%, 25%, 37%, 48%, 68%, 85% and 100%. Compared with the control group, increased growth performances (e.g. weight gain rate increased by 21.7%) and immune indexes (e.g. serum lysozyme activity increased by 6.8%) of yellow catfish fed with diets in which a maximum of 48% FM protein was replaced by BSFL meal protein was determined. The diet in which 25% FM protein was replaced by BSFL meal protein resulted in the greatest growth performances (e.g. weight gain rate increased by 29.1%) and immune indexes (e.g. serum lysozyme activity increased by 31.9%) as well as the lowest feed conversion ratio (0.9) among all diets tested. No significant differences in survival rate, body indexes or composition were determined among all treatments. Therefore, BSFL meal protein has the potential to partially replace FM protein in the diet of yellow catfish, and it may also enhance the immunocompetence of the fish.     

Effect of dietary pantothenic acid supplement on growth, body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A 9-week feeding trial was carried out with juvenile Jian carp to study the effect of dietary pantothenic acid (PA) on growth, body composition and intestinal enzyme activities. Semi-purified diets with seven levels (4.0, 15.5, 25.6, 36.1, 45.9, 56.1 and 65.9 mg PA kg⁻¹) of supplemental calcium d -pantothenate were fed to Jian carp (13.0 ± 0.0 g). PA improved specific growth rate (SGR), protein productive value (PPV), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lipid production value (LPV) ( P <  0.05). Fish fed the control diet had significantly lower feed efficiency (FE) than that in any other group ( P <  0.05). Body protein content increased with increasing PA levels ( P <  0.05), but moisture, lipid and ash of fish carcasses were negatively related to the graded PA levels ( P <  0.05). Intestine protein content (IPC), hepatopancreas protein content (HPC) and activity of α-amylase, lipase, trypsin, Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were all positively affected by the dietary PA levels ( P <  0.05), while intestine index (ISI) and hepatopancreas index (HSI) decreased with the increment of supplemental levels of PA ( P <  0.05). These results suggested that PA could enhance fish growth and intestinal enzyme activities. The dietary PA requirement of juvenile Jian carp, Cyprinus carpio var . Jian (13.0–73.0 g), for optimal growth estimated by the broken-line analysis was 23.0 mg PA kg⁻¹ diet.     

Growth, digestive capacity and intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed graded levels of dietary inositol

A 60‐day feeding trial was carried out with juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) to study the effects of myo‐inositol (MI) on the growth, digestive enzyme and intestinal microbial population. Diets with seven levels of inositol (163.5, 232.7, 384.2, 535.8, 687.3, 838.8 and 990.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet) were fed to Jian carp (initial weight 22.28±0.07 g). Per cent weight gain (PWG) was improved with increasing inositol levels up to 535.8 mg MI kg^?1 diet (P<0.05), and plateaued (P>0.05). The protein production value, lipid production value and ash production value were increased with increasing dietary inositol levels up to 384.2, 838.8 and 838.8 mg MI kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05). Although intestinal protein content and trypsin activity were not affected by inositol levels (P>0.05), chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase activities in intestine were the lowest for fish fed the MI‐unsupplemented diet (P<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and creatinkinase activities in the intestine were increased with an increase in the inositol levels up to 384.2–687.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). Intestinal Aeromonas hydrophila and Escherichia coli decreased with an increase in the levels of dietary inositol up to 232.7 and 687.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05), while Lactobacillus in the intestine increased with an increase in inositol levels up to 990.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, inositol improved growth, digestive capacity and intestinal microbial population of juvenile Jian carp, and the dietary inositol requirement for PWG of juvenile Jian carp is 518.0 mg MI kg^?1 diet.     

Dietary protein requirement for large‐size Songpu mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio Songpu)

Dietary protein requirements of large‐size Songpu mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio Songpu) were investigated through an an 82‐day feeding trial. Six practical diets were formulated to contain increasing crude protein levels of 240, 260, 280, 300, 320 and 340 g/kg. Six triplicate groups of fish (25 individuals per replicate with initial mean weights of 246.00 ± 17.36 g) were reared in the floating net cages. Results indicated that the highest weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in the 260 g/kg treatment. The whole‐body crude protein content was significantly higher in the 260 and 280 g/kg treatments (p < .05). The expression of growth hormone (GH) in dorsal white muscle, Rh a glycoprotein (Rhag), Rh b glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh c glycoprotein 1 (Rhcg1) in gills increased significantly with increasing protein levels, while the expression of target of rapamycin (TOR), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and S6 kinase (S6K) in muscle and intestine increased first and then decreased significantly. Based on these findings, 260 g/kg seems to be the proper level of protein in a practical diet for large‐size Songpu mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio Songpu).     

Effects of graded levels of dietary vitamin C on the growth,digestive capacity and intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A 60‐day experiment was carried out to study the effects of vitamin C [ascorbic acid (AA)] on the growth, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal microbial population. Diets with six levels (0.0, 21.4, 45.1, 69.5, 93.6 and 142.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet) of supplemental ascorbyl polyphosphate were fed to juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (12.63±0.02 g). The specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency and productive protein value were significantly improved with increasing AA levels up to 45.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). The hepatopancreas and muscle AA concentrations were increased with increasing dietary AA levels up to 69.5 and 45.1 mg kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05). The activities of intestinal trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, α‐amylase, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase and creatinkinase were all positively affected by the AA supplementation (P<0.05). Intestinal Lactobacillus and Bacillus were increased with increasing AA levels up to 45.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet (P<0.05), while intestinal Escherichia coli decreased with increasing AA levels up to 45.1 mg AA kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, AA improve the digestive capacity and intestinal microbial population of Jian carp, and the dietary AA requirement for SGR of juvenile Jian carp was 40.9 mg AA kg^?1 diet.     

Influence of dietary zinc on lipid peroxidation,protein oxidation and antioxidant defence of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study was conducted to study the effects of dietary zinc on lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant defence of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) by feeding fish with increasing levels of zinc (15.3, 26.9, 40.8, 58.2, 68.9 and 92.5 mg Zn kg^?1) for 6 weeks. Results indicated that malondialdehyde (MDA) content and protein carbonyls (PC) in serum were the highest in fish fed diet containing 15.3 mg zinc kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Serum antisuperoxide anion (ASA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione reductase (GR) activities and glutathione (GSH) content were improved with increasing dietary zinc levels up to 40.8 mg zinc kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and levelled off (P > 0.05). Serum antihydroxy radical (AHR), catalase (CAT) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities followed the similar pattern to that observed in ASA. The MDA and PC levels, ASA, AHR, SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST activities and GSH content in intestine, hepatosomatic and muscle tissue followed the similar pattern to that observed in serum. The present results indicated that zinc decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation and improved antioxidant defence in fish.     

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 dietary thiamin supplement on immune responses and intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study was to investigate the effect of dietary thiamin on the immune response and intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). Seven diets (0.25, 0.48, 0.79, 1.06, 1.37, 1.63 and 2.65 mg thiamin kg^?1) were fed to Jian carp (8.20 ± 0.02 g). At the end of feeding trial, red blood cell counts and white blood cell counts increased with increasing dietary thiamin levels up to 0.79 and 1.06 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively (P < 0.05); Lactobacillus counts in intestine increased gradually, and maximum values obtained when the thiamin level was at 0.79 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). After the feeding trial, fish were injected with Aeromonas hydrophila only one time on the first day of the challenge trial and fed the same diets as the growth trial for 17 days. The survival rate, leucocyte phagocytic activity, lectin potency, acid phosphatase activity, lysozyme activity, total iron‐binding capacity and immunoglobulin M content of fish after being injected with A. hydrophila were all improved with increasing dietary thiamin levels up to a point, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that thiamin could improve immune response and the balance of intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp.     

Growth,body composition and intestinal enzyme activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed graded levels of dietary zinc

A 6‐week trial was carried out with 900 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) to investigate the effects of dietary zinc on growth, body composition and intestinal enzyme activities. Diets supplemented with increasing levels (15.3, 26.9, 40.8, 58.2, 68.9 and 92.5 mg Zn kg^?1) of zinc lactate were fed to Jian carp (mean initial weight 15.7 ± 0.01 g). Results indicated that per cent weight gain (PWG), feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lipid productive value (LPV) enhanced with dietary zinc levels up to 40.8 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05), and plateaued thereafter (P > 0.05). Feed intake (FI) was similar to that observed for PWG. Intestosomatic index (ISI), relative gut length (RGL), hepatopancreas protein content (HPC), intestine protein content (IPC), trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) activities were all higher by dietary zinc supplementation than zinc un‐supplementation (P < 0.05). These results suggested that zinc could promote growth and increase nutrient deposition and intestinal enzyme activities. The dietary zinc requirements (use zinc lactate as zinc source) of juvenile Jian carp (15.7–42.2 g) based on PWG and serum zinc were 48.7 and 43.2 mg Zn kg^?1 diet, respectively.     

Effects of glutamate in low‐phosphorus diets on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activity,immune‐related gene expression and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study investigated the effects of glutamate (Glu) in low‐phosphorus diets on growth performance, haematological indices, antioxidant enzyme activity, immune‐related gene expression and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) (5.07 ± 0.02 g). Fish were fed either graded levels of Glu (0 g/kg, 5 g/kg,  10 g/kg and 20 g/kg, named G0, G0.5, G1 and G2, respectively) in a low‐phosphorus diet (15 g/kg NaH₂PO_4, 0.49), or a normal phosphorus diet ( 20 g/kg NaH₂PO_4, 0.61) without added Glu (C), for 8 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, the fish were challenged with A. hydrophila. Compared with G0 group, 10 g/kg and 20 g/kg Glu supplementation of the low‐phosphorus diet significantly improved the final weight, WGR, SGR and PER, and decreased FCR (p < .05). Glu supplementation of the low‐phosphorus diet significantly enhanced the T‐AOC, SOD activity and GSH content in intestine (p < .05). Glu supplementation significantly reduced MDA content in foregut and midgut and increased CAT activity in midgut and hindgut (p < .05). Regarding immune‐related gene expression, Glu supplementation significantly diminished the up‐regulation of intestinal TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐8 mRNA levels induced by phosphorus deficiency (p < .05). The survival rate of the G1 group was significantly higher than that of the G0 group (p < .05). In conclusion, 10 g/kg Glu supplementation in low‐phosphorus diets can improve the growth performance, enhance the activity of intestinal antioxidant enzymes and strengthen the immune function of juvenile mirror carp.     

Dietary pyridoxine requirement of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

In a 80-day feeding trial, a total of 1050 juvenile Jian carp ( Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) with an average initial weight of 10.71 ± 0.05 g were fed semi-purified diets containing seven graded levels of pyridoxine (0.20, 1.71, 3.23, 4.96, 6.32, 8.58 and 12.39 mg pyridoxine kg⁻¹ diet). Results indicated that with increasing dietary pyridoxine levels up to 4.96 mg kg⁻¹ diet, percent weight gain (PWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were improved, and no differences were found with further increase of pyridoxine levels. Feed intake also followed the similar pattern to that observed with PWG and SGR when dietary pyridoxine levels were ≤6.32 mg kg⁻¹ diet. But feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were not affected by pyridoxine levels. Crude protein of carcass, productive protein value and plasma ammonia concentration were improved with increasing dietary pyridoxine levels up to 4.96 mg kg⁻¹ diet. Amylase activities in the intestine were improved with increasing dietary pyridoxine levels up to 4.96 mg kg⁻¹ diet, but protease and lipase activities in the intestine were not affected by pyridoxine levels. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities in proximal intestine, mid intestine (MI) and distal intestine (DI) were lowest when fed the diet containing 1.71 mg pyridoxine kg⁻¹ diet. The alkaline phosphatase activities in MI and DI followed the same pattern. The dietary pyridoxine requirement of juvenile Jian carp based on PWG estimated by broken line model was 6.07 mg pyridoxine kg⁻¹ diet.     

Effects of dietary histidine levels on growth performance,body composition and intestinal enzymes activities of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

A total of 1200 juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (8.76 ± 0.02 g) were fed diets containing graded levels of histidine at 2.3 (unsupplemented control), 4.4, 6.3, 8.6, 10.8 and 12.7 g kg^?1 diet for 60 days to investigate the effects of histidine levels on growth performance, body composition, intestinal enzymes activities and microflora. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, body protein content and lipid content of fish were lowest in fish fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Activities of glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase in muscle and hepatopancreas, trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, lipase activities in intestine and hepatopancreas, and Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase activities in three intestinal segments were improved by dietary histidine (P < 0.05), whereas glutamate‐oxaloacetate transaminase activities and plasma ammonia content followed an opposite trend. The amounts of Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas were significantly affected by dietary histidine levels (P < 0.05). These results suggested that histidine could improve growth and enhance intestinal enzymes activities of juvenile Jian carp. The dietary histidine requirement of juvenile Jian carp (8.76–68.02 g) based on SGR was 7.8 g kg^?1 diet or 2.38 g 100 g^?1 protein by quadratic regression analysis.