Optimum dietary protein level for growth and coelomic fluid non‐specific immune enzymes of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus juvenile

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein level of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus juvenile focusing on growth performance and non‐specific immune response. Diets with seven crude protein levels (42.0, 108.9, 155.2, 216.7, 258.0, 313.3 and 357.5 g kg^?1) were fed to sea cucumber juveniles (1.05 ±0.01 g) once a day for 100 days. More than 70% survival was observed, and there was no significant difference among all treatments. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 108.9 g kg^?1 crude protein showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain than those of the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 42.0, 216.7, 258.0, 313.3 and 357.5 g kg^?1 crude protein. No significantly differences (P > 0.05) were observed in moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash and carbohydrate content of the body wall among all treatments. The coelomic fluid catalase activity of the sea cucumbers generally increased with increasing dietary protein levels. Therefore, the acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme activity increased with increasing dietary protein levels at first and decreased subsequently. The relationship between dietary protein levels and body weight gain was analysed by a second‐order polynomial regression analysis model. The result indicates that the optimum dietary protein level for sea cucumber juveniles is 135.4 g kg^?1.     

Optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial of three protein (200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹) and two lipid levels (20 and 100 g kg⁻¹) was conducted to determine the proper dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Dietary protein and lipid levels were adjusted by adding with different levels of soybean meal, squid liver oil and soybean oil, respectively. Three replicate groups of sea cucumbers (average weight of 1.3 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, survival was not affected by dietary protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumbers were significantly affected by dietary protein (P < 0.006) and lipid levels (P < 0.001). The highest WG and SGR were observed in sea cucumbers fed the 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein diet with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (P < 0.05). WG and SGR of sea cucumbers fed the diet containing 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid were higher than those of sea cucumbers fed the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets (P < 0.05) at each dietary protein level. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, carbohydrate and gross energy of sea cucumbers fed the 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets were significantly higher than those of the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets at 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein (P < 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents were not significantly different among the groups. The results of this study indicate that the diet containing 200 g kg⁻¹ protein (170 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (13 g kg⁻¹ digestible lipid) may be sufficient for optimum growth of juvenile sea cucumber.     

Effects of dietary heat‐killed Lactobacillus plantarum L‐137 (HK L‐137) on the growth performance,digestive enzymes and selected non‐specific immune responses in sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary heat‐killed Lactobacillus plantarum L‐137 (HK L‐137) on growth performance, digestive, non‐specific immune and phagocytosis of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers (initial body weight 1.35 ± 0.04 g) were fed diets supplemented with five levels of HK L‐137 (0, 0.005, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets) for 60 days. Results indicated sea cucumbers fed with diets containing 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain and specific growth rate than other groups. Sea cucumbers fed with diets containing 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher protease activity than control group. Higher amylase, lysozyme and phagocytic activities were found in 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diet group. Higher superoxide dismutase enzyme and alkaline phosphatase activity was found in 0.05 g HK L‐137 kg^?1. While no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in acid phosphatase activity. These results suggested that dietary supplementation of 0.05 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets would have benefit on growth, digestive enzymes and several non‐specific immune parameters of sea cucumber.     

Effects of dietary lipid level on growth performance,body composition and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial aimed to determine the effects of dietary lipid level on growth performance, body composition and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Diets with six crude lipid levels (1.9, 13.8, 29.1, 43.6, 59.6 and 71.6 g kg^?1) were fed to sea cucumbers (initial weights 0.65 ± 0.01 g) at a density of 30 juveniles, once a day. After 60 days, body weight gain (BWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) decreased with increasing dietary lipid levels. The sea cucumbers fed 1.9 g kg^?1 crude lipid showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) BWG than those of the sea cucumbers fed 59.6 and 71.6 g kg^?1 crude lipid. Intestinal protease and lipase activities generally increased with increasing dietary lipid levels. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content of body walls generally increased with increasing dietary lipid levels. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of body walls reached the maximum value at a dietary lipid level of 13.8 g kg^?1. N‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content followed the same pattern of DHA. According to the growth performance and body composition of sea cucumbers, it can be indicated that the optimum dietary lipid level for juvenile sea cucumbers is between 1.9 and 13.8 g kg^?1.     

Growth performance and digestion improvement of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus fed by solid‐state fermentation diet

In this study, the compound probiotics including Pseudoalteromonas. Sp D11, Bacillus subtilis A142, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y23 and Lactobacillus plantarum L54 were applied for solid‐state fermenting the artificial diet of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. The quality of solid‐state fermented (SSF) feed and its potential effects on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities were investigated. The results showed that, compared to unfermented diet, SSF feed had a better palatability quality; meanwhile, a higher ratio of crude protein, free amino acids and reducing sugars and a lower ratio of crude fibre, crude ash and alginic acid were found in SSF feed. The results of the feeding trial showed that feeding SSF feed could improve growth performance of sea cucumbers more than those fed with the unfermented diet. The results of digestive enzyme assays showed that feeding SSF feed to animals could significantly improve activities of amylase, cellulase, alginic acid enzyme and protease, which implied that fermented feed could improve digestibility of A. japonicus. In summary, the SSF feed fermented by compound probiotics had better palatability and nutrition value than unfermented feed. And feeding SSF feed could significantly improve the growth performance and digestion ability for sea cucumbers in the phases of nursery and grow‐out.     

Effects of light intensity on larval development and juvenile growth of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

The growth rate, survival rate, development and setting rate of larval sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus were measured under four light intensities (0, 50, 500 and 2,000 lx), and the growth rate and metabolism of the juvenile sea cucumbers were investigated under four light intensity treatments (0, 100, 1,000 and 2,500 lx). The light requirements (i.e. intensity) of the sea cucumber changed as they grew. Better growth performance, development and survival rate were observed in embryos and larvae under 500 lx treatment. However, reduced light intensity (50 lx) increased the settlement rate of the larvae. The highest specific growth rate occurred in juvenile sea cucumbers under 1,000 lx. The sea cucumbers in this group also had the lowest oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate, but the highest O:N ratio, indicating that the optimal light intensity for the juvenile sea cucumber culture was 1,000 lx. Therefore, appropriate light intensities were suggested to provide larval and juvenile sea cucumbers with better growth and development conditions.     

Effects of dietary arginine on growth performance,feed utilization,haematological parameters and non‐specific immune responses of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary arginine on growth performance, feed utilization, haematological parameters and non‐specific immune responses of juvenile Nile tilapia (6.03 g). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of L‐arginine (8.5 g kg^?1, 11.5 kg^?1, 15.3 kg^?1, 18.8 kg^?1 and 22.4 kg^?1 dry diet) from dietary ingredients and crystalline arginine. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 25 juvenile fish (6.04 ± 0.02 g) three times daily (8:30, 12:30, and 17:00 hours) to apparent satiation. Results showed that the weight gain (WG) and special growth rate (SGR) increased with increasing dietary arginine levels up to 15.3 kg^?1 and remained nearly the same thereafter. Arginine supplementation had no impact on the survival, body composition and haematological parameters of tilapia. However, the immune responses (plasma nitric oxide content, total nitric oxide synthase (T‐NOS) and lysozyme activity) significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing dietary argentine level after stress. Quadratic regression analysis (y = ?0.7147x² + 25.986x + 147.53 R² = 0.8736) on weight gain against dietary arginine levels indicated that the optimal dietary arginine requirement was estimated to be 18.2 kg^?1 of the diet (corresponding to 6.24% of dietary protein on a dry weight basis). The present study indicates that arginine has an immunostimulatory potential to help juvenile Nile tilapia cope with stress conditions such as Streptococcus iniae infection.     

Effects of graded levels of dietary myo‐inositol on non‐specific immune and specific immune parameters in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myo‐inositol (MI) on non‐specific immune and specific immune defence in fish. A total of 1050 Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (22.28±0.07 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups, of three replicates each, of feeding diets containing graded levels of MI (163.5, 232.7, 384.2, 535.8, 687.3, 838.8 and 990.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet). After a 60‐day growth trial, an infectious trial was conducted by injection of Aeromonas hydrophila for 17 days. Results showed that the red blood cell (RBC) and the white blood cell count were significantly increased with increasing MI levels up to 535.8 mg kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). The spleen index showed a tendency similar to RBC, whereas the head kidney index showed the inverse pattern (P<0.05). The phagocytic activity of leucocytes, haemagglutination titre, lysozyme activity, anti‐A. hydrophila antibody titre and immunoglobulin M, after being injected with A. hydrophila, were all improved with an increase in the MI levels up to 232.7–687.3 mg kg^?1 diet respectively (P<0.05). Myo‐inositol did not influence serum acid phosphatase activity and total iron‐binding capacity (P>0.05). These results suggested that MI could enhance non‐specific immune and specific immune responses in fish.     

Dietary supplements of guanosine improve the growth,non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus Selenka,and its resistance against Vibrio splendidus

The growth response, non‐specific immune activities and disease resistance were measured in sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka (initial average weight 6.80 ± 0.10 g), when fed diets supplemented with graded levels of guanosine from the guanosine‐5’‐monophosphate disodium (GMP) at 0 (control), 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg for 8 weeks. The results showed that GMP supplemented at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg significantly enhanced the growth of sea cucumber. Sea cucumber fed a diet with 0.6 g/kg of GMP had significantly higher intracellular superoxide anion production, nitric oxide synthase activity, lysozyme activity and the total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activity than those in control group (p < .05). Increased lysozyme activity and T‐SOD activity were also found in sea cucumber fed GMP at 1.2 g/kg. Moreover, there was significantly lower cumulative mortality after the disease challenge in sea cucumber fed the diets with 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg GMP than that in control and 0.3 g/kg GMP groups (p < .05), and no significant difference was observed between 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg GMP groups. These results suggested that feeding GMP at a dose of 0.6 g/kg could enhance growth, non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber as well as its resistance against Vibrio splendidus.     

Effects of a probiotic mixture (Bacillus subtilis YB‐1 and Bacillus cereus YB‐2) on disease resistance and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

The effect of a commercially available compound probiotics product containing Bacillus subtilis YB‐1 (50%) and Bacillus cereus YB‐2 (50%) fed to sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) on challenge infections and non‐specific immune responses was assessed. Sea cucumbers (were randomly allocated into nine aquariums at a density of 30 sea cucumbers per tank and triplicate groups) were fed diets containing 0 (control), 10⁷ and 10¹⁰ cfu (g diet)^?1 of the probiotics mixture for 32 days. The growth factors and immunological parameters were measured. In addition, the effects on resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus infection were also evaluated. The results indicate that all the immunological parameters (phagocytic activity, superoxide anion production, lysozyme activity, catalase activity and phenoloxidase activity) measured and the growth rate of sea cucumbers fed 10¹⁰ cfu of the probiotics mixture were significantly (P < 0.05) improved than control groups at 16 and 32 days. After challenging, the cumulative mortality for the control was 100%, whereas the cumulative mortality for sea cucumbers fed 10¹⁰ cfu of the probiotics mixture was 47% (P < 0.05). Although the total autochthonous intestinal heterotrophic bacterial counts were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.05), Bacillus sp. levels were significantly elevated in sea cucumbers fed the probiotics mixture (P < 0.05). These results confirmed that administration of the probiotics mixture in the diet stimulated non‐specific immune responses and enhanced the growth performance of sea cucumbers, and was effective in controlling infections caused by V. alginolyticus.     

Effects of dietary peptide intake on growth,energy budget,body composition and non‐specific immunity of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

In this study, a 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of feed supplementating the feed of Apostichopus japonicus with peptides on its growth, energy budget, body composition and immune responses. Sea cucumbers were fed with five experimental diets supplemented with different proportions of peptides: 0 (D1), 12.5 (D2), 25 (D3), 37.5 (D4) and 50 (D5) g/kg in basal diet. Our results suggested that specific growth rate (SGR) and ratio of viscera to body wall (RVBW) of sea cucumbers fed with D4 were significantly improved. Relative to D1, ingestion rate (IR) and faeces production rate (FPR) for D3 and D4 were reduced considerably. Notably, the energy intake increased when peptide level increased from 0 to 50 g/kg. Meanwhile, the energy deposited for growth increased, and the energy loss decreased when peptide level increased from 0 to 37.5 g/kg. The sea cucumbers in D4 had the highest level of crude fat and lowest crude ash. The activities of immunoenzyme, such as SOD, CAT, T‐AOC, ACP and AKP, increased with peptide increase. Results suggested that supplementation of the feed with 25–37.5 g/kg peptides could significantly improve the growth performance, body composition and immune capacity of Apostichopus japonicus.     

Time‐series response of immune enzymes and catecholamines in juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus during long‐term live transport

Sea cucumbers are free of protective exoskeleton and capable of autolysis under stress conditions. The live transport of small‐size juveniles to grown‐out sites induces hypoxia and congesting stress. The transport process is essential to production of outdoor healthy seedlings. Here, we evaluated the effects of damp transport and water transport on Apostichopus japonicus, an economic species inhabiting along the Asian coast. The survival after transport and immune performance of small‐size juveniles (0.05–0.1 g of immersed weight) were monitored during distinct duration of transport (1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 hr). The results revealed that there were no significant differences between the two transport systems within 5 hr. Given the survival for recovery of 48 hr and responses of immune enzymes and catecholamines during transport, water transport was less detrimental to sea cucumbers than damp transport when the transport duration was less than 8 hr. Once the duration prolonged to 12 hr, these immune parameters changed irregularly and the survival declined drastically. Water transport with a notably higher survival for juveniles was the more appropriate manner for long‐time transport. These findings provide insights into long‐term transport of small‐size A.  japonicus juveniles and might be beneficial for production of ecologically healthy seedlings.     

生物絮团对仿刺参幼参生长与酶活性的影响

 以仿刺参幼参(Apostichopus japonicus)为研究对象, 采用发酵法培养生物絮团, 在室内塑料水槽中进行为期30 d的幼参培育实验。选择蔗糖作为碳源, 并设置饵料替代(0、10%、15%和20%共计4个梯度)和换水频次 (3 d/次和7 d/次两种)正交实验, 分析其对幼参生长、成活及其体内消化酶、免疫性酶活性和可溶性蛋白含量的影响, 为生物絮团培育幼参技术确定最佳投饵量和换水频次等参数提供依据。结果表明, 实验期间处理组淀粉酶(AMS)活性总体均高于对照组, 生物絮团可以提高幼参淀粉酶活性; 第15天时, 每3 d换水1次并替代15%饵料的处理组幼参体壁中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD, 32.9 U/mg prot)及碱性磷酸酶(AKP, 146.8 U/g prot)活性高于其他3组和对照组(P<0.05); 而每7 d换水1次且替代20%饵料组SOD(35.3 U/mg prot)及AKP酶活性(158.8 U/g prot)均明显高于对照组(P< 0.05)。第30天时, 每7 d换水1次且替代10%饵料组幼参淀粉酶和SOD活性均比15 d有所升高, 尤其AKP活性明显升高; 其特定生长率(4.12 %/d)与成活率(98.9%)均最高。每7 d换水1次且替代15%饵料组体壁中可溶性蛋白含量(10.9 mg/g)最高, 均明显高于对照组(P <0.05); 但与替代10%饵料组(9.3 mg/g)差异不显著。而每3 d换水1次且替代20%饵料组幼参成活率(91.8%)最低, 其可溶性蛋白含量与其他3组和对照组差异不显著(P>0.05)。适当降低换水频次和减少投饵量适于生物絮团系统中幼参的生长、存活与可溶性蛋白质积累。

     

Effect of dietary bovine lactoferrin on growth,haematology and non‐specific immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary lactoferrin (Lf) on growth, haematology and non‐specific immune response of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Fish were fed an experimental diet containing 0 (as control), 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg Lf kg^?1 diet twice daily for 8 weeks and sampled at 2, 4, 6 (immune function and growth), and 8 weeks (immune function, haematology and growth). Statistical analyses revealed no significant effects of dietary Lf on growth performance (specific growth rate, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake and condition factor) or haematological parameters (red and white blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum iron and total iron binding capacity [TIBC]). Among the serum non‐specific immune parameters, lysozyme activity increased significantly in fish fed 100, 200, or 400 mg Lf kg^?1 feed for 8 weeks, whereas haemolytic complement activity increased in fish fed 100 and 400 mg Lf kg^?1 diet after 6 weeks. The antiprotease activity increased in groups fed 100, 200 or 400 mg Lf kg^?1 diet after 8 weeks. However, no significant effect was observed on serum peroxidase level. It can be concluded that feeding of rainbow trout on the diet supplemented with 100 mg kg^?1 or higher for 8 weeks enhances the non‐specific immune response.     

Effects of rearing temperature on growth,metabolism and thermal tolerance of juvenile sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus Selenka: critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and hsps gene expression

Effects of different rearing temperatures (16, 21 and 26°C) on growth, metabolic performance and thermal tolerance of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (initial body weight 7.72 ± 0.96 g, mean ±SD) were investigated in this study. During the 40‐day experiment, growth, metabolic performance, food intake and energy budget at different reared temperatures were determined. Sea cucumbers rearing at 16°C obtained better growth (final body weight 11.96 ± 0.35 g) than those reared at 21 (10.33 ± 0.41 g) and 26°C (8.31 ± 0.19 g) (P < 0.05), and more energy was allocated for growth at 16°C (162.73 ±11.85 J g^?1 d^?1) than those at 21(79.61 ± 6.76 J g^?1 d^?1) and 26°C (27.07 ± 4.30 J g^?1 d^?1) (P < 0.05). Critical thermal maxima (CTmax) values of juvenile sea cucumbers reared at 16, 21 and 26°C were 33.1, 34.1 and 36.6°C, respectively, and the upregulation of hsps in sea cucumbers reared at 26°C was higher than those acclimated at lower temperatures (16 and 21°C), indicating that temperature acclimation could change the thermal tolerance of the sea cucumber, and CTmax and hsps were sensitive indicators of the sea cucumber's thermal tolerance.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate and lipid levels on growth performance,feed utilization,body composition and non‐specific immunity of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid, carbohydrate and their interactions on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and non‐specific immunity of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). The experimental fish were fed the diets with graded levels of dietary crude lipid (80, 110 and 140 g/kg diet) and dietary carbohydrate (60, 90 and 120 g/kg diet) for 7 weeks. Results showed that the specific growth rate decreased significantly as dietary carbohydrate increased, which partly resulted from the progressively reduced feed intake and protein efficiency ratio. Meanwhile, the result of postprandial glucose content confirmed glucose intolerance of the croaker. However, the specific growth rate was not significantly altered by dietary lipid, but the feed intake was remarkably reduced. The different growth performance and feed utilization of croaker in response to dietary lipid and carbohydrate resulted in the variation of body composition. In addition, the activity of lysozyme and classical complement pathway was significantly improved in croaker fed the diet with 110 g/kg lipid. In above, dietary carbohydrate and lipid of large yellow croaker should be maintained at 60 and 110 g/kg diet, respectively, based on the above indices.     

Influence of dietary biotin levels on growth and non‐specific immune response in large yellow croaker,Larimichthys crocea R

A 9‐week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary biotin levels on growth performance and non‐specific immune response of large yellow croaker. Fish (6.16 ± 0.09 g) were fed twice daily to apparent satiation with diets containing 0.00 (as the basal diet), 0.01, 0.05, 0.25, 1.24 and 6.22 mg biotin kg^?1 diet. Results showed that fish fed the basal diet had the lowest survival rate, and fish fed 0.05 mg kg^?1 dietary biotin achieved significantly higher final weight and weight gain. Dietary biotin levels had no significant influence on carcass crude lipid, moisture and ash content, but significantly influenced the carcass crude protein. Liver biotin concentration significantly increased with the supplementation of biotin, but no tissue saturation was found within the supplementation scope of biotin. Broken‐line regression analysis of weight gain showed that juvenile large yellow croaker requires a minimum dietary biotin of 0.039 mg kg^?1 for maximal growth. The analyses of serum parameters showed that the moderate‐ (0.05 mg kg^?1) and high‐dose (6.22 mg kg^?1) dietary biotin significantly improved both lysozyme and alternative complement pathway activities, indicating dietary biotin within a certain range could improve the non‐specific immune response of large yellow croaker.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of various plant ingredients as an alternative for Sargassum thunbergii on growth and body composition of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Two feeding experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of different plant ingredients on growth and body composition of juvenile sea cucumber. In the first experiment, three replicate groups of the sea cucumber (average weight of 1.5 ± 0.05 g) were fed one of the seven experimental diets containing Sargassum thunbergii (CON), Undaria (UND), Laminaria (LAM), Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata (BRA), fermented soybean (FSB), distillers dried grain (DDG) and rice straw powder (RIC) for 10 weeks. After the feeding trial, survival was not significantly different among the dietary treatments. Specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumber fed the FSB diet (0.73) was significantly higher than that of sea cucumber fed the other diets (P < 0.05), except for the DDG diet (0.64). The lowest SGR was observed in sea cucumber fed the CON diet (0.14). Based on the result of the first experiment, the second experiment was conducted to determine the proper level of dietary DDG for growth of juvenile sea cucumber. Three replicate groups of sea cucumber (average weight of 1.6 ± 0.02 g) were fed one of the five experimental diets containing different levels (g kg^?1) of DDG (DDG0, DDG10, DDG20, DDG30 and DDG40) for 12 weeks. Survival was not significantly different among the treatments (P > 0.05). The best SGR was obtained in sea cucumber fed the DDG10 diet (10.1) and the value of sea cucumber fed the DDG40 diet (5.6) was the lowest (P < 0.05). The SGR of sea cucumber fed the DDG10 diet did not differ from that of sea cucumber fed the DDG20 diet (P > 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents of whole body in sea cucumber among the dietary treatments (P > 0.05) did not differ significantly at both experiments. Results of two feeding trial suggest that dietary inclusion with 100 g kg^?1 FSB or 100–200 g kg^?1 DDG may improve growth of juvenile sea cucumber, and especially DDG could be used as a good ingredient for the low‐cost feed formulation.     

Intra‐specific effects of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) with reference to stocking density and body size

The present studies deal with the intra‐specific effects of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus with unlimited food resources, especially the effects of stocking density on growth variation of the animal and energetic changes of small individuals under the stress of large individuals. The results showed that with the initial body weight of 5.12±0.09–6.11±0.26 g of sea cucumber among the densities of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ind./100 L, the density of 20 ind./100 L was the optimum stocking density because of its highest specific growth rate, crude protein content and crude lipid content in tissue. Individual growth variation of A. japonicus increased with the increase of stocking densities, whereas no significant differences in variation were found when the density was over 30 ind./100 L (P>0.05). The low‐weight individuals under the stress of heavy‐weight individuals exhibited obvious changes in energetics, such as lower ingestion rate, lower energy deposited as growth but higher respiration and excretion. The coefficient of variation in growth of the animals was over 70% due to the simultaneous action of aggression and maybe a factor of chemical mediator, and led to significant changes in the energetics of small‐sized individuals.     

Dietary vitamin E could improve growth performance,lipid peroxidation and non‐specific immune responses for juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to establish the dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile cobia. The basal diet was supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120 mg vitamin E kg^?1 as all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate. The results indicated that fish fed the diets supplemented vitamin E had significantly higher specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, feed efficiency and survival rate than those fed the basal diet. It was further observed that vitamin E concentrations in liver increased significantly when the dietary vitamin E level increased from 13.2 to 124 mg kg^?1. Fish fed the basal diet had significantly higher thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances concentrations in liver than those fed the diets supplemented vitamin E. Fish fed the diets supplemented with 45.7 and 61.2 mg kg^?1 vitamin E had significantly higher red blood cell and haemoglobin than those fed the basal diet, while fish fed the diets supplemented with 61.2 and 124 mg kg^?1 vitamin E had higher immunoglobulin concentration than those fish fed the basal diet. Lysozyme and superoxide dismutase were significantly influenced by the dietary vitamin E level. The dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile cobia was established based on second‐order polynomial regression of weight gain and lysozyme to be 78 or 111 mg all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate kg^?1 diet, respectively.