Dietary myo‐inositol requirements of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂)

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dietary myo‐inositol (MI) requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂). Fish with an initial average body weight of 28.28 ± 0.41 g were randomly divided into six groups with three repetitions in each group and fed the experimental diets with different graded MI concentrations (70.2, 130.0, 270.2, 443.0, 1,096.6 and 1997.3 mg/kg) three times per day for 12 weeks. The results showed that with the increase in dietary MI level from 70.2 mg/kg to 443.0 mg/kg, weight gain (WG) was increased significantly (p < .05); however, when the MI level was further increased, there was no significant difference in weight gain rate (WG) over time (p > .05). Specific growth rate (SGR) showed a similar trend. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (SR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerasomatic index (VSI) and condition factor (CF) were not affected by dietary MI supplementation (p > .05). Dietary MI did not affect whole‐body and muscle crude protein and ash content (p > .05), while dietary MI significantly affected the muscle and whole‐body crude lipid and moisture content (p < .05). Moreover, serum triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were decreased by increasing dietary MI levels. Total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the liver were also affected by the dietary MI (p < .05). In summary, this study indicated that the optimal dietary MI requirement for juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂) was 335.84 mg/kg and 590.65 mg/kg based on the maximum WG and liver MI accumulation indices respectively.     

Role of taurine deficiency in inducing green liver symptom and effect of dietary taurine supplementation in improving growth in juvenile red sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis> fed non-fishmeal diets based on soy protein concentrate

This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of green liver symptom induction and the effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance in juvenile red sea bream fed non-fishmeal diets based on soy protein concentrate (SPC). Juvenile fish (initial BW 72 g) were fed for 20 weeks on SPC diets supplemented with taurine at levels of 0, 1.0, and 2.0%. In the taurine-unsupplemented SPC diet group, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly inferior (P < 0.001), and incidence of green liver was observed in 70% of fish. In this group, hepatopancreatic and plasma taurine concentrations were lowest (P < 0.05), hepatopancreatic content of bile pigments was highest (P < 0.05), and osmotic tolerance of erythrocytes was inferior (P < 0.05) among the dietary treatment groups. Serum osmolality of all treatment groups was at similar levels. These physiological abnormalities as well as SGR and FCR were improved by dietary taurine supplementation. These results indicate that the mechanism for induction of green liver symptom is bile pigment overproduction due to increased hemolysis because erythrocytes become osmotically fragile due to dietary taurine deficiency. Taurine supplementation of SPC diets is essential for maintaining normal physiological condition and growth performance in juvenile red sea bream.     

Amelioration of LPS‐induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress by astaxanthin in Channa argus lymphocyte via activating glucocorticoid receptor signalling pathways

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of astaxanthin (AST) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced lymphocyte viability, ultrastructural lesions, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in Channa argus. Lymphocytes exposed to more than 10 μg/ml LPS alone for 24 hr showed significantly decreased cell viability, elevated nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) contents, and increased nuclear factor κB p65 (NF‐κB p65), myeloid differential protein‐88 (MyD88), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), caspase‐3, caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 gene expression. LPS at a concentration of 10 μg/ml could induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in lymphocytes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were significantly decreased after exposure to 10 μg/ml LPS. Besides, AST strikingly antagonized the LPS‐induced negative effects. AST significantly increased the expression of HSP70, HSP90, IκB‐α, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and decreased inflammatory responses. Further study showed that AST can activate GR signalling pathway and inhibit p65 phosphorylation. In addition, AST attenuated LPS‐induced apoptosis, mitochondrial swelling, degeneration and vacuolization. Collectively, these findings suggest that AST has protective roles in LPS‐induced cell damage via modulating GR activation in C. argus lymphocytes.     

Dietary supplementation of microbial floc heightens growth and improves digestive,immune, antioxidant enzymes activity and ammonia resistance in Opsariichthys kaopingensis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of microbial floc on growth, digestive and immune enzymes activity, antioxidant status and ammonia resistance in Opsariichthys kaopingensis. Four hundred fifty healthy O. kaopingensis juveniles (6.21 ± 0.32 g) were randomly assigned to 15 tanks. Juvenile fish were fed five experimental diets containing microbial floc 0 (B0 control), 4% (B4), 8% (B8), 12% (B12) and 16% (B16), respectively, for 30 days. Results showed that B12 could significantly enhance weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), reduce feed conversion rate (FCR) (p < .05), compared to the control. The activity of protease, lipase and amylase in hepatopancreas and gut of B12 group were higher than that of the control (p < .05). Also, significant increases in lysozyme (LSZ), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities of O. kaopingensis were found at B12 group (p < .05). Comparing the antioxidant capacity, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), catalase (CAT) and ascorbic acid (ASA) of juveniles in B12 group were significant highly (p < .05) than control, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was much lower than control in gill, kidney, hepatopancreas, intestine and serum under this experiment condition. After ammonia challenge, survival rate in all dietary supplementation of microbial floc treatment groups was significantly increased (p < .05). Overall, these findings suggest that dietary supplementation of microbial floc enhanced growth, digestion, antioxidant and immune response, and increased ammonia stress resistance in O. kaopingensis. The suitable supplemental level of approximately 12% microbial floc was recommended in the present study.     

Dietary taurine impacts the growth,amino acid profile and resistance against heat stress of tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes)

A 56‐day feeding trail was conducted to evaluate the effects of taurine (Tau) supplementation on growth performance, amino acid profile and heat stress resistance capacity in juvenile Takifugu rubripes (initial body weight: 32.28 ± 0.20 g). Tiger puffer were distributed into five groups and each received one of the following diets: each diet was supplemented with 0 (T1), 5 (T2), 10 (T3), 20 (T4) or 50 (T5) g Tau/kg, respectively. Growth performances were significantly ameliorated with fed diet T3 (p < .05). The Tau content of muscle increased significantly as dietary Tau increased (p < .05). Compared to the control group, fish fed diets T4 and T5 showed significantly higher concentration of triglyceride and urea, respectively (p < .05), while taurine transporter (TauT) gene and IGF‐1 gene expression increased significantly in fish fed diets T3 and T4, respectively (p < .05). After acute heat stress, HSP70 gene expression levels were significantly greater in the livers and spleens of T. rubripes (p < .05) fed diet supplemented with Tau. Levels of complement C4 were highest in fish fed 10 g/kg Tau (p < .05). These data suggested that dietary supplemented with taurine indicated positive effects on growth performances, amino acid profile and resistance against heat stress for T. rubripes.     

Effects of dietary α‐ketoglutarate supplementation on the antioxidant defense system and HSP 70 and HSP 90 gene expression of hybrid sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii ♀ × A. baerii ♂ exposed to ammonia‐N stress

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary α‐ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation on the antioxidant defense system and gene expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP 90 in hybrid sturgeons Acipenser schrenckii ♀ × A. baerii ♂ exposed to ammonia‐N stress. A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was arranged, in which each diet (0%, 1% AKG) was randomly assigned to 0.25 (control) 5 and 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N groups with three replicate aquaria for each 72 h. The 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N significantly increased serum ammonia concentrations and intestinal Gln concentrations and GS activity compared with the 0.25 or 5 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N groups. The intestinal Gln concentration and GS activity increased, and the serum ammonia concentration decreased, in fish given dietary supplementation of 1.0% AKG compared with fish given diets without AKG. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in serum, gills and intestines decreased when fish were exposed to 5 or 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N, and their activity increased in fish given diets with 1% AKG. Catalase in the serum and gills decreased when fish were exposed to 5 or 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N and increased in fish given diets with 1% AKG. The 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N or 1% AKG supplementation increased HSP 70 and HSP 90 gene expression in the liver. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, and increased HSP 70 and HSP 90 gene expression in fish fed diets containing 1% AKG suggested higher tolerance to ammonia‐N stress.     

Effects of arginine supplementation on growth performance and plasma arginine,ornithine and citrulline dynamics of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study aimed to re‐evaluate the effect of excessive arginine supplementation on growth and feed efficiency of rainbow trout, and to assess the effect of dietary arginine supplementation on hepatic amino acid composition, expression of arginase Ⅱ (ARG 2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes in the intestine, and plasma arginine, ornithine, citrulline and urea levels at 0, 6, 12 and 18 hr‐postprandial. Rainbow trout (body weight: 60.5–65 g) were fed diets containing 1.47 (control [CTRL]), 3.89 (3.89A) and 5.64% (5.64A) arginine for nine weeks. Higher muscle protein content was observed in 3.89A than CTRL (p < 0.05). In postprandial study, plasma arginine of 5.64A kept increased until 12 hr‐postprandial and reached identical value (around 150 µg/ml) until 18 hr‐postprandial in 5.64A. Significant increase of plasma arginine level was only observed in arginine supplemented group. Meanwhile, plasma citrulline level in CTRL was significantly higher than in 5.64A at 18 hr‐postprandial. A significantly higher hepatic citrulline level was also observed in CTRL than in 5.64A (p < 0.05). Significantly higher plasma and hepatic free ornithine level was observed in 5.64A than CTRL while significantly higher expression of intestinal ARG2 and HSP70 was found in arginine supplemented groups. These results suggest that citrulline availability seems to be stimulated by arginine deficiency in the CTRL and the presence of arginase in the intestine to regulate excess dietary arginine.     

Effects of chromium yeast,tributyrin and bile acid on growth performance,digestion and metabolism of Channa argus

A 60‐day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of chromium yeast (CY), tributyrin (TB) and bile acid (BA) on the snakehead (Channa argus). The control (CT) group was fed the basal diet, and the experimental groups were fed 200 mg/kg CY (concentration: 1,000 mg/kg), 2.5 g/kg TB (purity: 45%) or 1 g/kg BA (purity: 30%) in addition to the basal diet. The addition of CY, TB and BA statistically increased the weight gain rate, and specific growth rate, whereas the feeding rate and feed conversion ratio were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). When compared with the CT group, TB elevated the serum glutathion peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity; and BA reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) contents significantly (p < 0.05). The three feed additives reduced intestinal malonaldehyde (MDA) levels dramatically. Tributyrin significantly enhanced intestinal trypsin and pepsin activities (p < 0.05). The activity of fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase and pyruvate carboxylase in the group fed CY was significantly lower than in the CT group. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of the three additives enhanced growth performance of C. argus. Dietary supplementation of CY affected protein, glucose and lipid metabolism. Diets with TB levels improved intestinal digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant capacity. The addition of BA improved glycolipid metabolism.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with freeze‐dried powder of Ampithoe sp. on the growth performance,energy metabolism,and ammonia‐nitrogen tolerance of the Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

This study evaluated the influence of dietary supplementation with freeze‐dried powder of Ampithoe sp. (FDPA) on the growth, energy metabolism, and resistance to ammonia‐nitrogen stress in Litopenaeus vannamei. There were four treatment groups: a 0% group (no FDPA addition), a 33% group, a 66% group (33% and 66% of the shrimp diet, respectively, replaced with FDPA), and a 100% group (only FDPA). The results of this study suggested a positive effect of FDPA supplementation on shrimp survival: the supplemented groups had significantly higher survival than the 0% group (p < 0.05). The body length, body weight, and specific growth rate (SGR) of the 33% group were higher than those of the other groups and were significantly higher than that of the 100% group (p < 0.05). FDPA feeding had a negative effect on carbohydrate metabolism pathways and energy consumption due to decreases in pyruvate kinase (PK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity in shrimp fed FDPA during the culture period. The shrimp in the 33% group exhibited good resistance to ammonia‐nitrogen stress. Additionally, the glycolysis pathway and energy consumption of shrimp in the 33% group were enhanced during the ammonia‐nitrogen stress period. Consequently, it was inferred that FDPA supplementation could improve the resistance of shrimp to ammonia‐nitrogen stress (in the 33% group), which might be related to the effects of the supplement on energy metabolism pathways, particularly in terms of enhancing glycolysis to provide sufficient energy for the stress response.     

Effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth,digestive enzyme,immunity and resistant to dry stress of rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fed low fish meal diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth, immunity and resistant to dry stress of rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fed low fish meal diets. Six isonitrogenous and isolipid diets (32% fish meal) supplemented with six taurine concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 g/kg; designated as T₀, T_0.03, T_0.06, T_0.09, T_0.12 and T_0.15 groups, respectively) were prepared. A diet including 42% fish meal (FM group) was also included as a reference. The results showed that specific growth rate (SGR) in FM group was significantly higher than that in lower fish meal treatments. SGR significantly increased and slowly decreased with the increase in taurine supplementation level. Lipase activity value in intestine of M. albus fed FM diet was maximum, and with the increase in taurine supplementation level, lipase activity significantly increased and slowly decreased. The FM group had relative higher total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) content, catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD), and lyzozyme (LZM) activities in serum than the other groups. With the increase in dietary taurine supplementation level, the CAT, T‐SOD, T‐AOC and LZM activities in serum significantly increased and then decreased. In the dry stress experience, the adrenaline (AD), cortisol (COR), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (CHOL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, T‐AOC content, CAT and T‐SOD activities in serum of M. albus in the four groups first increased and reached the peak at 2 hr, and then decreased under air‐exposure stress. Compared to the FM group, T_0.15 group had relative higher T‐AOC content, CAT and T‐SOD activities, and lower AD, COR GLU, TC and MDA concentrations.     

Evaluation of dietary vitamin E supplementation on growth performance and antioxidant status in hybrid snakehead (Channa argus × Channa maculata)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin E on growth performance and antioxidant status of juvenile snakehead. The snakeheads (20.47 ± 0.06 g) were fed with five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets that contained 13 (the basal diet), 52, 79, 168 and 326 mg of vitamin E kg^?1, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate (SGR) and feed intake (FI) were achieved in fish fed on a diet with 79 mg kg^?1 vitamin E (p < .05). No significant differences were found in protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival of fish among all groups (p > .05). Vitamin E supplementation improved hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity significantly. A consistent decline in the hepatic and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was observed in fish fed diets with the increased supplementation of vitamin E (p < .05). In addition, with the increasing level of vitamin E, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were reduced (p < .05). However, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were enhanced in fish fed 79 mg vitamin E kg^?1 diet and then decreased significantly as the content of vitamin E in the diet increased (p < .05). Meanwhile, serum albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) were not affected by the supplemental levels of dietary vitamin E (p > .05). The vitamin E concentrations in liver and serum increased significantly with increasing dietary vitamin E (p < .05). Based on the broken‐line regression of SGR, vitamin E level in the diet is estimated to be 80.5 mg kg^?1 for Channa argus × Channa maculata. In conclusion, this study indicated that the dietary appropriate vitamin E could enhance the growth performance, antioxidant status and non‐specific immune response.     

Hypoxia‐induced changes in survival,immune response and antioxidant status of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed with graded levels of dietary myo‐inositol

A 3‐hr experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary myo‐inositol (MI) supplementation on survival, immune response and antioxidant abilities in Litopenaeus vannamei under acute hypoxia stress. Six practical diets were formulated with supplementation of graded levels (control group 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg dry diet) of MI and were randomly assigned to triplicate groups of L. vannamei (mean weight 0.40 ± 0.00 g) for 8 weeks. Ten healthy shrimp (final mean weight approximately 11–14 g) randomly selected from each tank were exposed to hypoxia stress after feeding trial. After 3‐hr acute hypoxia stress, survival of shrimp fed MI‐supplemented diets (except 0.1 and 0.4 g/kg diets) was significantly increased compared with the control group. Shrimp fed control diet had lower activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) contents in hepatopancreas than those fed the MI‐supplemented diets. In addition, mRNA expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), catalase (CAT) and penaeidin were significantly differentially regulated in hepatopancreas. In summary, dietary MI supplementation may have a positive effect on improving resistance to acute hypoxia stress of L. vannamei.     

Effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance,digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant status of juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) fed with low fish meal diet

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes, antioxidant status and the target of rapamycin (TOR) gene expression in black carp (initial body weight 5.94 ± 0.02 g) fed with low fish meal diet. Six isonitrogen and isolipidic diets were formulated. High fish meal–based diet (HFM) contained 20% fish meal and 24% soybean meal as a positive control. Fifty per cent of fish meal in HFM was replaced by soybean meal and were supplemented with 0, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% dietary taurine respectively (designated as T_0.00 (a negative control), T_0.05, T_0.1, T_0.2 and T_0.4). The results showed that the partial replacement of fish meal by soybean meal without taurine supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in weight gain (WG), activities of amylase and lipase in intestine, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐px) in serum, with a significant increase in feed conversion rate (FCR), the content of malonaldehyde (MDA), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in serum. WG in groups supplemented with equal or above to 0.1% dietary taurine was significantly higher compared with T₀ group. With increasing levels of dietary taurine, the activities of amylase, lipase, GSH‐px and SOD and glutataione (GSH) content significantly increased (p < 0.05). FCR, the content of MDA, TG and TC in serum and crude lipid content in whole body were significantly reduced after taurine treatment (p < 0.05). In liver, TOR mRNA expression in groups with equal or above to 0.1% taurine was significantly higher than T₀ group (p < 0.05).     

Effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid supplementation on the growth performance,serum biochemical indices and antioxidant status of pharaoh cuttlefish,Sepia pharaonis

This study evaluated the effects of dietary γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant status of pharaoh cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis. Cuttlefish were cultured in open‐culturing cement pool systems for 8 weeks. Six practical diets supplemented with graded levels of GABA (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/kg) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 cuttlefish (mean weight: 10.33 g), the cuttlefish were fed two times per day to apparent satiation. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) significantly increased with dietary GABA supplementation (p < .05). The survival rate (SR) and protein content in muscle significantly increased when 58.9 mg/kg GABA supplied. Moreover, the nitric oxide (NO) content and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity in serum were significantly increased with dietary GABA supplementation (p < .05), while the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum decreased significantly when supplied with GABA at 58.9 mg/kg (p < .05). In addition, dietary GABA improved antioxidation activity by significantly increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) but decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and gill (p < .05). On the basis of the quadratic regression analysis of FE, the optimum content of dietary GABA in S. pharaonis was estimated to be 55.3 mg/kg. The findings of this study demonstrated that dietary GABA had a positive effect on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant status of S. pharaonis.     

The effect of dietary folic acid on biochemical parameters and gene expression of three heat shock proteins (HSPs) of blunt snout bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalobrama amblycephala)</Emphasis> fingerling under acute high temperature stress

The effects of dietary folic acid on biochemical parameters and gene expression of three heat shock proteins (HSPs) of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) fingerling under acute high temperature stress. Six dietary folic acid groups (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0) mg/kg diets were designed and assigned into 18 tanks in three replicates each (300 l/tank) and were administered for 10 weeks in a re-circulated water system. The fingerlings with an initial weight of 27.0 ± 0.03 g were fed with their respective diets four times daily. At the end of the experiment, samples were collected before challenge, 0, 24, 72 h, and 7 days. Serum total protein (TP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cortisol, glucose, complement C3 (C3), complement C4 (C4, immunoglobulin M (IgM) hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the expression of heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), 70 (HSP70), and 90 (HSP90) were studied. The results showed that fish fed with dietary folic acid between 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum TP, C3, C4 hepatic SOD, CAT, and the expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 before and after temperature challenge of 32 °C. Also, serum ALP, cortisol, glucose, and hepatic MDA were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by supplementation of dietary folic acid level 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/kg before and after the same temperature challenge of 32 °C. Before stress, 0, 24, 72 h, and 7 days significantly (P < 0.05) affects serum biochemical parameters, immune and antioxidant capacities, and expression level of three HSPs. Furthermore, there was no statistical evidence to show that dietary folic acid inclusion level and temperature duration have significant interactive effect on serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant parameters, and gene expression level (P > 0.05) of the three HSPs. However, there were statistical significant interactive effect between dietary folic acid inclusion level and temperature duration on serum C3 and C4 (P < 0.05) except IgM (P > 0.05). The present results indicate that supplementation of basal diet from 1.0 mg/kg; 2.0 and 5.0 mg/kg can enhance acute high temperature resistance ability in M. amblycephala fingerling to some degree and improve physiological response, immune and antioxidant capacities, and expression level of three HSPs.     

Cork and guar gum supplementation enhanced the buoyancy of faeces,and protease supplementation alleviated the negative effects of dietary cork on growth and intestinal health of tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus

To evaluate the effects of dietary cork, protease and guar gum on growth, intestinal health and faecal floatability of tilapia, fine or coarse particle cork (0.45–0.60 mm, 0.60–0.83 mm) was included in diets at 0 (control), 20 g/kg, 30 g/kg and 40 g/kg, and then, 0.175 g/kg protease (P) and 3 g/kg guar gum (G) were supplemented to the 40 g/kg coarse particle diet individually or in combination (P + G). Tilapia with an initial body weight of 15.0 ± 0.5 g were fed one of the 10 diets for 60 days. The results showed that weight gain (WG), apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP), intestinal evacuation ratio, intestinal digestive enzyme activity (IDE) and villus height decreased, and floating faeces ratio increased with the increasing cork level in diets. At the same supplementation level, coarse particle groups showed significantly higher floating faecal ratio than fine particle groups (p < .05). Dietary protease increased the WG, ADC of DM, IDE and villus height (p < .05), and guar gum increased floating faecal ratio when compared to 40 g/kg coarse particle group (p < .05). However, the ADC of DM, IDE and villus height of protease group were still inferior to those of control group (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary cork increased the floating faeces ratio, and the coarse particles produced more floating faeces than fine particles. Moreover, the supplementation of guar gum in cork‐supplemented diet further increased the floating faeces ratio. However, dietary cork negatively affected the growth performance of tilapia, which could be partially alleviated by the supplementation of protease.     

Effects of antimicrobial peptide APSH‐07 on the growth performance,anti‐oxidation responses,stress resistance and intestine microbiota in large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea

A 65‐day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary antimicrobial peptide APSH‐07 on the growth performance, anti‐oxidation responses, stress resistance and intestine microbiota of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with 0, 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg of APSH‐07, respectively. The results showed that the fish fed with 90 mg/kg of dietary APSH‐07 had the significantly highest specific growth rate (p < .05). The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, the total anti‐oxidative capacity and lysozyme had the significantly highest values in liver of fish fed with 90 mg/kg of dietary APSH‐07 (p < .05). Serum glucose increased significantly in fish fed diets without APSH‐07 supplementation after temperature stress, while serum cortisol increased significantly in those after trawl stress (p < .05). Fish fed with 90 mg/kg of dietary APSH‐07 showed significantly higher operational taxonomic units, ACE estimator and phylogenetic diversity whole tree in intestine microbiota compared to fish fed without APSH‐07 (p < .05). In conclusion, under the present experimental condition, 90 mg/kg of antimicrobial peptide APSH‐07 supplementation in diet had the better growth performance, higher anti‐oxidation and stress resistance capacity, and a potentially more beneficial intestine microbial community of large yellow croaker.     

The supplementation of dietary selenium yeast and green tea‐derived polyphenols improves antioxidant capacity and immune response in juvenile Wuchang bream under ammonia stress

In order to investigate protective effects of dietary selenium yeast and green tea‐derived polyphenols on ammonia stress, healthy Wuchang bream juveniles (3.24 ± 0.08 g) were fed basal diets and three treatment diets supplemented with 0.50 mg/kg selenium yeast, 50 mg/kg green tea‐derived polyphenols, and combination of 0.50 mg/kg selenium yeast and 50 mg/kg green tea‐derived polyphenols, respectively. After a 60‐day feeding, fish were exposed to 22.5 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen for 48 hr. The results showed that total antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the serum were higher in three treatment groups than in control group before and after ammonia exposure (p < .05), while serum cortisol was lower in three treatment groups (p < .05). Similarly, the content and mRNA levels of splenic interleukin 1β, tumour necrosis factor α and immunoglobulin M showed significant increases in three treatment groups in relative to the controls (p < .05). Splenic lesions for three treatment groups were less severe, and the healing process of the lesions was faster than the control group after ammonia exposure. These findings demonstrated that single and combined supplementation of selenium yeast and green tea‐derived polyphenols could enhance antioxidant and immune responses to alleviate oxidative stress and damage by ammonia. Overall, the combination of selenium yeast and green tea‐derived polyphenols has a potential use as a preventive or therapeutic measure in ammonia‐exposed fish.     

Dietary manganese requirement of juvenile hybrid grouper,Epinephelus lanceolatus × E. fuscoguttatus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum dietary manganese (Mn) requirement for juvenile hybrid grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus × E. fuscoguttatus. The basal diet was formulated to contain 520 g/kg crude protein from casein and fishmeal. Manganese methionine was added to the basal diet at 0 (control group), 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg Mn/kg diet providing 7.48, 10.34, 13.76, 19.72, 31.00 and 53.91 mg Mn/kg diet, respectively. Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of juveniles, and each tank was stocked with 20 fish (initial weight, 60.06 ± 0.68 g). The manganese content in rearing water was monitored and kept below 0.01 mg/L. Results showed that the weight gain ratio (WGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), specific growth rate (SGR), Mn contents in whole body, liver and vertebra, and activities of hepatic Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD), total SOD (T‐SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) were significantly improved by dietary Mn supplementation (p < .05). However, dietary Mn did not affect arginase (DArg) activity. The highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in fish fed the basal diet (p < .05). No significant differences were found on the Cu and Zn contents in whole body by supplementing dietary Mn. Supplemented Mn in diets had significantly effect on liver and vertebral trace element deposition (p < .05). Fish fed the basal diet had the highest Fe and Zn contents in vertebra (p < .05). There were no significant differences on hepatic pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) activity with supplemented Mn levels below 13.76 mg/kg. As biomarker of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver was significantly higher in fish fed the basal diet (p < .05). Using the broken‐line models based on SGR, dietary Mn requirement of the juvenile hybrid grouper was estimated to be 12.70 mg/kg diet.     

Assessment of dietary taurine essentiality on the physiological state of juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi

Information on specific nutrients like taurine is important to support a nutritionally balanced diet for marine species such as totoaba Totoaba macdonaldi under culture conditions. Eight isoproteic (50%) and isolipidic (12%) experimental diets were formulated to contain graded levels of taurine (0.23%, 0.45%, 0.91%, 1.28%, 1.76%, 2.20%, 2.72%, 3.01% as‐is) using ethanol‐washed fishmeal (FM) as primary protein source. Green liver, low gallbladder‐somatic index (GBSI), low apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of lipid, low erythrocyte turnover, low plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as low visceral fat, were detected in the basal diet (T‐0.23) after 10 weeks. Thermal‐unit growth coefficient (TGC) was best modelled by a five‐parameter saturation kinetic model (5‐SKM, p < .001) with marginal differences (R² = .13) of juvenile totoaba (initial weight 10.0 ± 1.0 g). Low GBSI (0.095%) was accompanied with low ADC of lipid (78.9%) in the low‐taurine diet (T‐0.23). GBSI and ADC of lipid were best modelled by four‐parameter SKM (4‐SKM, R²=.72 and .87, respectively, p < .001). Plasma cholesterol increased linearly with dietary taurine (R² = .75, p < .001), while plasma triglycerides increased quadratically (R² = .53, p < .001), suggesting modulations of lipid metabolism in totoaba. Plasma bilirubin levels increased linearly, and the lowest concentration was found in the basal diet (T‐0.23); however, haematocrit and haemoglobin levels were changed slightly between the treatments. This study demonstrates that supplementation with a low level of taurine (0.45% as‐is) in a washed FM‐based diet can normalize the physiological condition of juvenile totoaba. Green liver, GBSI, ADC of lipid, plasma cholesterol and triglycerides may be informative diagnostic tools for taurine deficiency in totoaba.