Dietary lipid requirements of larval genetically improved farmed tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and effects on growth performance,expression of digestive enzyme genes,and immune response

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary lipid level on growth performance, antioxidant defense, and mRNA levels of digestive enzymes and immune genes in larval genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The results show that larvae fed lipid levels of 4–11.5% had greater weight gain (WG), feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and survival than larvae fed the other dietary lipid levels (P < 0.05). No difference whole‐body crude protein, ash or moisture contents were found between treatments (P > 0.05) but lipid contents increased as dietary lipid level was increased. The 8% and 11.5% dietary lipid levels had stimulatory effects on trypsin mRNA level compared with those of larvae fed the 15% and 18.5% lipid diets. Intestinal and liver amylase mRNA levels decreased in larvae fed the 18.5% lipid diet, following the decrease in dietary starch. Analysis of the secondary curve equation for WG indicated that the optimal dietary lipid level in larval tilapia was 8.56%. In addition, the 4–11.5% lipid levels improved superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased mRNA levels of heat shock protein70, hepcidin antimicrobial peptide‐1, and C‐type lysozyme in the liver of larvae (P < 0.05). A 192‐h Streptococcus iniae challenge study was conducted after the 35‐day feeding trial, and the results showed that post‐challenge mortality of larvae fed the 11.5% lipid level was the lowest and enhanced the immune activities.     

Comparative digestion efficiencies in conventional, genetically improved and genetically male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, lipid and energy of a fishmeal‐based feed (41% crude protein, 9% crude lipid and 19 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy) was compared in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), genetically male Nile tilapia (GMNT) and conventional Nile tilapia (CNT) (Oreochromis niloticus). The experimental fish were reared individually under standardized conditions in a recirculation system at 27±0.1°C for 10 weeks. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was used as a marker. Faeces of individual fish were collected daily by siphoning and stored at −18°C before analysis. No significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the digestibility coefficients of feed dry matter (78.2±3.4%, 77.7±4.4% and 76.4±3.7%), protein (87.9±3.0%, 88.4±2.8% and 88.0±3.3%), lipid (90.0±2.5%, 91.0±2.1% and 89.4±3.0%) and energy (90.4±1.9%, 90.7±2.0% and 89.4±2.3%) in GIFT, GMNT and CNT respectively. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences (P<0.05) in average percentage growth (82.2±7.2, 87.3±7.7 and 74.7±4.1 respectively for GIFT, GMNT and CNT), growth rates or feed utilization efficiencies between the three tilapia groups. We conclude that the higher growth claimed for improved GIFT and GMNT as compared with CNT, if ever existing, cannot be attributed to higher nutrients or energy digestibility.     

高水平烟酸对吉富罗非鱼脂代谢和体脂沉积的影响

为探讨高水平烟酸对鱼类脂代谢和体脂沉积的影响,本研究以吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromisniluticus)为研究对象,设计了2个实验。在实验I中,为确定烟酸是否具有改善血脂作用及其适宜水平,首先通过高糖高脂饲料喂养初始体重(15.28±0.23) g的实验鱼40 d,建立高血脂模型,随后改投添加500 mg/kg、1000 mg/kg、2000 mg/kg烟酸的饲料。结果发现添加500～2000mg/kg的烟酸,均有降低实验鱼血清胆固醇和甘油三酯水平的作用,但以1000～2000 mg/kg的效果较为显著。在实验Ⅱ中,采用2×2双因素实验设计,研究了2种饲料类型(对照组和高糖高脂饲料)和2个烟酸水平(100 mg/kg和1000 mg/kg)对初始体重(24.45±0.07) g实验鱼生长、饲料利用、血脂水平和体成分的影响。养殖8周。结果发现,饲料类型或烟酸水平未对实验鱼的末体重、增重率、特定生长率、肥满度、脏体比和肠脂比,以及全鱼粗脂肪、粗蛋白、水分和灰分含量等生长性能指标产生显著影响(P0.05);对饲料粗蛋白和粗脂肪的表观消化率、饲料系数、摄食率等饲料利用指标也未产生显著影响(P0.05)。与投喂对照组饲料的相比,投喂高糖高脂饲料的实验鱼对饲料干物质和总能的表观消化率,及其血清胆固醇、甘油三酯和游离脂肪酸水平,肝脏、内脏、腹肌的粗脂肪含量显著升高(P0.05);而投喂高水平烟酸实验鱼的血清低密度脂蛋白、胆固醇和游离脂肪酸水平,肝脏粗脂肪含量则显著降低(P0.05)。饲料类型和烟酸水平仅对实验鱼血清的高密度脂蛋白和胆固醇水平存在显著的交互作用(P0.05)。结果表明,饲料中添加1000 mg/kg烟酸不会影响吉富罗非鱼的生长性能和饲料利用,并具有降低血脂水平和肝脏脂肪含量的作用。     

Growth,digestive enzymes activities,serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared at different stocking densities in in‐pond raceway recirculating culture system

The feeding trial was conducted in 80 days to assess the effects of stoking densities on growth, digestive enzymes activities, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) reared in in‐pond raceway recirculating culture system (IPRS). Fish (initial body weight: 6.25 ± 0.32g ) were randomly allotted to six in‐pond raceways (22 × 5 × 2.5 m) stocked at three different stocking densities: low stocking density (LSD, 0.28 kg/m³), medium stocking density (MSD, 0.57kg /m³) and high stocking density (HSD, 0.85 kg /m³). The results indicated that no significant differences were observed in final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate of GIFT reared at different stocking densities on day 20 (p > 0.05). Fish reared in the HSD group showed poor growth than those reared in the LSD and MSD groups on day 50, but fish reared in the MSD and HSD groups showed poor growth than those reared in the LSD group on day 80. There were no significant differences found in digestive enzyme activities, serum cortisol, lysozyme and superoxide dismutase (SOD) content, hepatic catalase (CAT), total SOD, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content among fish reared at different densities treatments (p > 0.05). Fish reared in the HSD group exhibited significant higher red blood cell number, haematocrit and glucose (GLU) contents on day 80 (p < 0.05). In brief, under this trial conditions, high stocking densities (0.57 kg/m³) resulted in decrease in growth, and GIFT might have an adaptation capability to crowding stress without a change in antioxidant activity, some physiological and immune parameters.     

Isolation of IGF2 and association of IGF2 polymorphism with growth trait in genetically improved farmed tilapias,Oreochromis niloticus L.

Molecular marker‐assisted selection increases the selection precision and reduces the number of generations required to achieve a desired improvement. Here, we report on the relationship between polymorphism in the insulin‐like growth factor II (IGF2) gene and growth trait in a genetically improved farmed tilapia strain (GIFT strain). We first isolated the entire IGF2 (5517 bp), including the complete reading frame and three interrupting introns. After sequence comparison of IGF2 from 10 individuals, we identified nine polymorphic sites in intron 1 and intron 3, and four silent mutation sites in exon 2 and exon 3. Four of the 13 polymorphic sites were examined and genotyped using various technologies, including PCR‐RFLP, tetra‐primer PCR and PCR‐PAGE among 192 experimental individuals. Regression analyses demonstrated that two sites, G161A in exon 3 and the microsatellite locus in intron 3, were significantly associated with male GIFT growth. These two putative markers will be further validated in our future breeding project.     

猪油对罗非鱼生长及餐后脂质代谢的影响

在实用饲料配方的基础上分别添加0%、5%、10%猪油组成试验饲料饲喂罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)(初重43 g)8周,比较研究猪油不同添加水平对罗非鱼生长及餐后脂质代谢的影响。结果表明,罗非鱼的末重(FBW)、特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)和饲料效率(FE)随着饲料中猪油水平的增加而显著升高。而摄食量(FI)表现出相反的变化趋势,即高水平猪油组显著低于对照组。随猪油添加水平增加,罗非鱼肝胰脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活力显著降低,而肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加。血清中甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(CHO)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和极低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(VLDL-C)含量均随饲料中猪油水平增加而显著升高。各试验组罗非鱼血清中CHO、TG、LDL-C和VLDL-C含量随时间推移均表现出先升高后降低的变化趋势,TG和VLDL-C的峰值出现在餐后6h,而CHO和LDL-C峰值在餐后9 h。但HDL-C表现出相反的变化趋势,即先降低后升高,在餐后6 h达到最低值。总之,饲料中添加不同水平猪油会促进罗非鱼生长,但会影响罗非鱼的肝功能以及餐后脂质代谢,罗非鱼抗氧化能力也相应受到影响。     

Dietary vitamin E requirement of sub‐adult genetically improved farmed tilapia strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in freshwater

A two‐factor orthogonal test was conducted to determine the dietary vitamin E (VE, dl ‐α‐tocopheryl acetate) requirement for sub‐adult GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at two lipid levels, and evaluate its effect on antioxidant responses. A basal diet containing 60 or 130 g/kg of soybean oil was supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, 120 and 240 mg VE/kg, respectively. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of tilapia with initial weight (80.3 ± 0.7) g for 10 weeks. Results showed that the weight gain, feed efficiency and hepatic VE retention of fish were significantly increased by the increased VE in diets. In groups with 60 and 130 g/kg lipid, fish fed diets supplemented with VE had higher serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity, and lower malondialdehyde content than fish fed the VE un‐supplemented diet (p < .05). The proximate composition of fish had no significant difference in the group with 130 g/kg lipid, whereas crude lipid and ash content were significantly affected by dietary VE in the group with 60 g/kg lipid. Based on broken‐line regression analysis, dietary VE requirement to support the maximum weight gain and serum SOD were 43.2–45.8 and 66.0–76.1 mg/kg in diets with 60 and 130 g/kg lipid, respectively.     

Comparative studies on endocrine status and gene expression of hepatic carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in juvenile GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed high‐carbohydrate diets

The effects of high‐carbohydrate diets on endocrine status and gene expression of hepatic metabolism enzymes in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus) at different sampling times were investigated. Two isonitrogenous (28% crude protein) and isolipidic (5% crude lipid) diets were formulated to contain 40% gelatinized wheat starch (WS) or glucose (GLU). Diets were assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial weight: 51 g) for 42 days. At the end of the trial, there were no significant difference in growth between WS group and GLU group. Hepatosomatic and visceral index and liver glycogen in juveniles were not significantly influenced by high‐carbohydrate diets on Day 42 (P > 0.05). Plasma glucose was higher in the GLU group than the WS group from Day 7 onwards. Data on gene expression showed that G6PD, but not GK and G6Pase, were affected by high‐carbohydrate diet. The levels of G6PD in the GLU group on Days 35 and 42 were significantly higher than those in the WS group. Serum IGF‐I levels of both groups significantly decreased on Day 42, whereas serum insulin levels were unaltered by high‐carbohydrate diet. The serum GH level decreased significantly in the GLU group compared with the WS group. Overall, our data suggest that high‐glucose diets were efficiently used as an energy source by GIFT tilapia juveniles, and significantly affected liver lipogenic activity and serum GH levels.     

Dietary taurine enhances growth and feed utilization in larval Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed soybean meal‐based diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary taurine on growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae. Four plant protein‐based, isonitrogenous (400 g kg^?1 protein), isoenergetic (19 MJ kg^?1) diets supplemented with four taurine concentrations (0.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 g kg^?1; designated as T₀, T_0.5, T₁ and T_1.5, respectively) were prepared. The diets were fed to triplicate groups of fish larvae (0.024 g average body weight), to apparent satiation, three times per day for 60 days. Larval growth rates and feed utilization efficiency were significantly improved with increasing supplemental taurine up to 10 g kg^?1 and decreased with further taurine supplementation. The quadratic regression analyses indicated that the maximum larval performance occurred at about 9.7 g kg^?1 of total dietary taurine. Fish survival was significantly lower at 15 g kg^?1 dietary taurine than at other taurine levels. Body protein significantly increased, while body moisture and ash decreased, with increasing dietary taurine up to 10 g kg^?1 and decreased with further taurine supplementation to 15 g kg^?1. Body lipid was not significantly affected by dietary taurine concentration. A number of body amino acids (tryptophan, arginine, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, glycine, threonine and taurine) significantly increased with increasing supplemental taurine up to 10 g kg^?1 and then decreased with further increase in dietary taurine levels. The rest of body amino acids were not significantly affected by dietary taurine. The present results suggest that about 9.7 g kg^?1 dietary taurine is required for optimum performance of Nile tilapia larvae fed soybean meal‐based diets.     

Effects of dietary fish oil substitution with linseed oil on growth,muscle fatty acid and metabolism of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of linseed oil (LO) replacing different levels of fish oil (FO) on growth, muscle fatty acid composition and metabolism of gift tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (mean initial weight 22 ± 0.5 g) in indoor recycle aquarium tanks for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet with 50% of the oil as LO had higher final body weight (FWG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) than the other groups (P < 0.05). Hepatopancreas lipid content of fish fed 50% LO was lower than the other groups. Total n‐3 and n‐6 PUFA contents in the dorsal muscle and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum increased with increasing dietary LO level. Fish fed 50% LO had higher alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities in hepatopancreas and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities in serum than the other groups (P < 0.05). However, malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in hepatopancreas were lower than other groups (P < 0.05) with a 50% substitution level. Results of this study indicated that LO could substitute <50% FO without influencing the growth of tilapia. The higher substitution levels of LO induced negative influences on growth, feed utilization and antioxidant ability of tilapia, but could promote DHA synthesis in tilapia muscle.     

Comparison of effects of dietary‐specific fatty acids on growth and lipid metabolism in Nile tilapia

The dominant fatty acids (FAs) in oils are often used to explain different nutritional effects of dietary oils in fish. However, the amounts of dominant FAs among oils are different, and the nutritional roles of these important FAs in fish have not been precisely compared at similar levels in feeding trials. In the present study, different amounts of palmitic acid were added to safflower oil (SO), olive oil (OO) and fish oil (FO) to obtain comparable amounts (about 550 g/kg of total FAs) of 18:2n‐6, 18:1n‐9 and 20:5n‐3 + 22:6n‐3 and subsequently fed to Nile tilapia (11.1 ± 0.01 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed similar growth among groups but FO group obtained lower fat deposition, serum ALT and AST activities, compared to OO. Lipogenesis‐related gene expressions were higher in OO group than FO group in liver, muscle and adipose tissue, but there were only few differences in these genes between SO and FO groups. Lipid catabolism genes in FO group were higher than OO and SO groups in adipose tissue, but not in muscle, and the significantly higher expressions of CPT1b and PPARα were only observed in liver. Overall, dietary 18:2n‐6, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 were beneficial to normal growth and lipid metabolism, whereas high amount of 18:1n‐9 induced lipid deposition and liver damage in Nile tilapia.     

饲料糖水平对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长和肝代谢功能的影响

为研究饲料糖水平对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能和肝代谢功能的影响,实验配制等蛋白、等脂肪含量的8种不同糖水平(10％、15％、20％、25％、30％、35％、40％和45％)饲料,每个糖水平设3个重复,饲养周期49 d,结果显示:(1)饲料糖水平对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的增重率、成活率、饲料系数和肝体比均有显著影响(P＜0.05).饲料糖水平为35％时,罗非鱼增重最快;饲料糖水平为40％时饲料系数最低.(2)随着饲料糖水平的升高,鱼体肌糖原、粗脂肪含量逐渐升高,鱼体肝糖原含量先增加后下降.(3)饲料糖水平对各组鱼血清谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、血清磷酸果糖激酶活性、总蛋白和总胆汁酸浓度均有显著影响(P＜0.05),且随着糖水平的升高,呈上升趋势;而鱼体肝酯酶和脂蛋白脂酶活性则是先上升后下降.(4)饲料糖水平35％时,肝脏组织出现少量细胞脂滴空泡状现象;饲料糖水平40％和45％时,肝脏组织切片有明显的细胞脂滴空泡状、核偏移和细胞质消失现象.肝脏脂滴空泡状面积率与组织脂肪含量具有显著的正相关,与肝脏组织的脂肪肝病变程度成正比.结果表明,吉富罗非鱼苗种饲料以29.10％～ 35.00％的糖水平较利于吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长及后期的脂肪肝病预防.     

Beneficial effects of dietary exogenous protease on the growth,intestinal health and immunity of GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus) fed plant‐based diets

This study investigated the effects of dietary exogenous protease on the growth performance, intestinal health, immune parameters and disease resistance of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Five test diets with commercial protease at the levels of 0, 1.38, 2.76, 5.52 and 11.04 U/g (named PE0, PE1, PE2, PE5 and PE11, respectively) were administered to triplicate tanks with 30 fish for 60 days, and then, the fish were challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae for 14 days. The results indicated that weight gain increased as exogenous protease increased from 0 to 5.52 U protease/g diet and then decreased significantly (p < .05) with a further increase in exogenous protease supplementation (p < .05). The height of the villi in the proximal intestine and distal intestine, the width of the villi in three segments of the intestine, and the thickness of the muscle layer in the proximal intestine and mid‐intestine (p < .05) were increased in the fish fed the PE5 diet. Immune and antioxidant indices (except malondialdehyde), and survival after challenged with S. agalactiae were higher in fish fed PE5 diets than in those fed other diets (p < .05). In conclusion, 5.52 U/g protease supplementation in a plant‐based diet could promote the growth performance, intestinal physical barrier function, innate immunity and S. agalactiae resistance of GIFT.     

Effects of dietary mannanase on growth,metabolism and non‐specific immunity of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

An experiment was designed to assess the effects of a commercial β‐mannanase on performance and immunity of tilapia fed plant‐based diets. A basal diet was supplemented with 0.0 (control), 0.5 and 1.0 g β‐mannase kg⁻¹ to formulate three experimental diets. Each treatment contained 4 tanks with 30 fish per tank. Trial lasted 8 weeks. Our results demonstrated that β‐mannanase addition (0.5 and 1.0 g kg⁻¹) improved significantly (P < 0.05) the final weight, specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the control (0.0 g kg⁻¹). There were no significant differences in feed intake (FI) and survival rate (SR) among the 3 dietary treatments (P > 0.05). β‐mannanase supplementation also led to an increase (P < 0.05) in amylase, trypsin and Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase activities in intestine, and an decrease (P < 0.05) in aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities in serum compared with the control. However, dietary enzyme supplementation had no significant effect on the serum triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C) (P > 0.05). Moreover, the dietary β‐mannanase supplementation groups exhibited an increase in the total leukocyte counts (WBC), differential leukocyte counts, respiratory burst activity, lysozyme activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to the controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, β‐mannanase addition to tilapia diets improved feed utilization and non‐specific immunity resulting in improvements in growth performance.     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid levels on growth performance,muscle fatty acid profile,hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in genetically improved farmed Tilapia strain of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth performance, muscle fatty acid profile, hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in genetically improved farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain of Oreochromis niloticus (initial body weight: 42.6 ± 0.4 g, mean ± standard deviation). Three replicated groups of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia were hand‐fed to satiation, twice a day, with the diets in which CLA oil, containing mainly the bioactive cis‐9, trans‐11 and trans‐10, cis‐12 isomers, was included at 0 (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%, respectively, at the expense of fish oil to maintain the constant lipid and energy levels. Growth performance and feed utilization showed no significant differences among the treatments (P > 0.05). The dietary inclusion of CLA modified total percentages of the main groups of fatty acids. Increasing saturated fatty acid content and reduced mono‐unsaturated fatty acid contents in muscle were observed with increasing dietary CLA inclusion (P < 0.05). Total n‐3 fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids tended to decline with increasing dietary CLA levels (P < 0.05), but n‐6 fatty acids showed no significant differences among the treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary CLA supplementation resulted in the significant increase in the trans‐10, cis‐12 and cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA isomers in muscle (P < 0.05) and also significantly influenced several hepatic enzymatic activities, such as succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities (P < 0.05). Reduced superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and the decline in malondialdehyde levels were observed in fish fed the CLA‐supplemented diets (P < 0.05), indicating that dietary CLA supplementation showed a powerful antioxidant effect for this fish species. Our study was the first report involved in the effect of dietary CLA inclusion on hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant responses in fish, which could be used as indicators of nutritional and physiological status of the fish species.     

Effects of α‐lipoic acid on growth performance,body composition,antioxidant profile and lipid metabolism of the GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed high‐fat diets

The wide use of lipid as a non‐protein energy substitute has led to lipid metabolic problems in cultured tilapia. Therefore, studies that reduce the effects of high‐fat diets in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) are required. This study evaluated the optimum level and effects of dietary α‐lipoic acid (α‐LA) on growth performance, body composition, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of GIFT tilapia. The basal diet (120 g/kg lipid) was supplemented with six concentrations of α‐LA at 0 (control), L300, L600, L900, L1200 and L2400 mg/kg diet to make the experimental diets, which were fed to GIFT tilapia juveniles (initial body weight: 0.48 ± 0.01 g) for 8 weeks. The weight gain of fish improved significantly in the L300 than other dietary treatments. The intraperitoneal fat index and lipid content of fish fed on the L2400 diet decreased significantly than those fed on the control diet. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in serum and liver were significantly higher in fish fed on the L300 diet than the control. The reduced GSH content of fish fed on the L300 in serum and liver was significantly higher than those fed on control diet. The malondialdehyde content in serum and liver was significantly lower in L300 than in the control. The adipose triglyceride lipase gene was significantly up‐regulated in fish fed on the L2400, but the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 gene was down‐regulated in adipose. The liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein gene in the liver was significantly up‐regulated in fish fed on the L300 and L600 diets. Moreover, the acyl‐coenzyme A oxidase gene in liver was significantly up‐regulated in fish fed on the L300, L600, L900 and L1200 diets. Polynomial regression analysis indicated that 439–528 mg/kg α‐LA is an appropriate dosage in high‐fat diet to improve growth performance and relieve lipid oxidative damage by accelerating lipid catabolism and reducing lipid synthesis in GIFT tilapia.     

The effect of dietary methionine concentrations on growth performance of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets with two different digestible energy levels

A growth trial was conducted to examine the effect of dietary digestible energy (DE) content on methionine (Met) utilization and requirement in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Ten iso‐nitrogenous (288 g kg^?1 protein) practical diets, with two DE levels (10.9 MJ kg^?1; 12.4 MJ kg^?1) and five methionine supplementation levels (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g kg^?1), were hand‐fed twice daily to triplicate groups of Nile tilapia (initial body weight 8.95 ± 0.06 g) for 8 weeks. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased significantly with increasing dietary methionine concentration at the same DE content (P < 0.001). At the same dietary methionine level, WG and SGR of fish fed high‐DE diets were significantly higher than that of fish fed low‐DE diets (P = 0.0001), although no interaction was found between dietary DE and methionine supplementation. Based on quadratic regression analysis between dietary methionine concentration and weight gain, optimal methionine requirement for maximum growth, expressed as g Met required kg^?1 diet (low‐ versus high‐DE diets), increased as diet DE concentration increased (7.34 versus 9.90 g kg^?1 diet, respectively; with cysteine 4.70 g kg^?1 diet). The results indicated that diet DE content affects methionine utilization and requirement in juvenile Nile tilapia, fish fed high‐DE diets required more methionine for maximum growth.     

Effect of dietary l‐methionine concentrations on growth performance,serum immune and antioxidative responses of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary l ‐methionine supplementation on growth performance, serum immune and antioxidative responses of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Six iso‐nitrogenous (282 g kg^?1 crude protein) diets were formulated to contain graded levels of methionine (0.32%, 0.54%, 0.75%, 0.93%, 1.14% and 1.33% of dry weight) at a constant dietary cysteine level of 0.83 g kg^?1. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 25 juvenile fish (2.3 ± 0.0 g), which were fed three times daily (8:30, 12:30 and 17:00 hours). The results showed that growth performance and feed utilization significantly improved when dietary methionine levels increased (P < 0.05). Using quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary methionine levels indicated that, the optimal dietary methionine requirement for maximum growth of juvenile tilapia was 9.12 g kg^?1 of the dry diet in the presence of 0.83 g kg^?1 cystine. In addition, maximum C4 content and lysozyme activity were observed in fish fed 7.50 g kg^?1 methionine diet; maximum C3 content and superoxide dismutase activity were obtained in fish fed 9.30 g kg^?1 dietary methionine level. While there was no significant difference in serum glutathione peroxidase activity among all methionine supplemented treatments (P > 0.05). Methionine supplementation decreased malondialdehyde content in serum significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with the control diet, while there was no significant difference among supplemented treatments. These data suggested that l ‐methionine affected antioxidant status and promoted serum immune response in juvenile Nile tilapia, and at non‐stressed status, the requirement of dietary methionine in maintaining normal immunity and physiology is lower than that for maximum growth.     

Effects of microalgae‐added diets on growth performance and meat composition of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Two floating diets and one sinking diet were prepared for tilapia with local ingredients by extrusion or steam‐pelleting methods. Indoor and outdoor feeding trials were conducted to evaluate their effects on growth performance and quality of tilapia products. Local ingredients included defatted Haematococcus and Spirulina by‐products from Hawaii. The three diets, plus a commercial feed, were each assigned to three replicate tanks, and each tank (120 L) was stocked with 12 juvenile tilapia in an 8‐week indoor trial. The results showed that (1) the floating diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight growth than the sinking diet; (2) increased inclusion of local microalgae by‐product (defatted Haematococcus) in floating diet from 12% to 24% significantly (P < 0.05) decreased tilapia weight growth; and (3) the three microalgae‐added diets obtained higher (P < 0.05) weight growth than the commercial feed, although they contained lower protein (36.9% to 37.7%) and lipid (7.1% to 8.1%) than the commercial feed (42.3%; 8.6%). The floating diet (containing 12% microalgae) and the commercial feed were also tested in outdoor green water tanks, simulating the commercial production conditions of local tilapia farms. Each diet had three replicate tanks (1200 L) stocked with 100 juvenile tilapia. The 12‐week trial showed that the local diet had significantly (P < 0.05) lower growth (12.0 g week^?1) than the commercial feed (14.8 g week^?1). All tilapia meat products were measured with low n‐3 fatty acid contents. These results provide important information for feed formulation and production using local ingredients for tilapia.     

Animal by‐products with or without enzymatic hydrolysis completely replacement of fish meal in genetically improved farmed tilapia diets (Oreochromis niloticus)

An 8‐week feeding trial was performed to examine the potential of total replacement of fish meal with animal by‐products with or without enzymatic components in juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) diets, Oreochromis niloticus, (mean initial weight, 19.71 ± 0.28 g), reared in RAS system. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with fish meal for the diets with total replacement of the isonitrogenous amounts of enzymatic fish meal (E‐FM), chicken liver meal (CLM), enzymatic chicken liver meal (E‐CLM), dried porcine solubles (DPS) and enzymatic dried porcine solubles (E‐DPS) respectively. The results indicated that the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) in the FM group were significantly higher than the E‐FM and E‐CLM groups (p < .05), but the specific growth rate (SGR) in the E‐CLM group lower than the E‐FM group. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in FM and CLM was significantly lower than the E‐FM, E‐CLM and E‐DPS groups (p < .05), and no significant difference was observed among the FM, CLM and DPS groups (p > .05). The values of the protein retention efficiency (PRE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) in FM, CLM and DPS groups were significantly higher than the E‐CLM group (p < .05). The values of feed intake ratio (FIR) in FM and CLM groups were significantly lower than the E‐FM, E‐CLM and E‐DPS groups (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the whole body contents of moisture, crude lipid and crude ash among the FM and E‐CLM groups (p > .05). The whole body contents of crude protein in the FM group were significantly higher than the E‐FM, CLM, E‐CLM DPS and E‐DPS groups (p < .05). The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein and crude lipid in the FM, E‐FM, E‐CLM and E‐DPS groups were not significantly different (p > .05). The serum glucose(GLU), total cholesterol (TCHO) and triglycerides (TG), or the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not affected by the different treatments (p > .05). There was no significant difference in serum total protein (TP) or albumin (ALB) and between the FM group and other groups (p > .05). There was no significant difference in the serum urea nitrogen (BUN) content in the FM, CLM, E‐CLM and DPS groups (p > .05). Fish fed with the CLM and DPS diets had significantly lower hepatic GHR1, IGF1 and IGF2 gene mRNA expression levels than in fish fed the FM diet (p < .05). The present data showed that 6% of dietary fish meal can be totally replaced by the chicken liver meal and dried porcine solubles with no effect on the growth performance of GIFT strain tilapia.