Effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation in diets on growth and feed utilization in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental exogenous enzyme on growth performance in juvenile hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus (18 g, average initial weight). A commercial enzyme complex (neutral protease, β‐glucanase and xylanase) was included at the level of 0.0 (control group), 1.0 and 1.5 g kg⁻¹ diet in three test diets. Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks of the juvenile three times a day at 4–6% of wet body weight, and each tank was stocked with 50 fish. The results showed that specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The highest feed intake was recorded in the group fed the control diet (P<0.05). The highest apparent protein retention was observed in fish fed the diet containing the 1.5 g kg⁻¹diet (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the apparent digestibilities (ADC) of protein, lipid and gross energy among dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, the ADC of dry matter in fish fed high supplementation (1.5 g kg⁻¹) was significantly higher than the control and low supplementation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in condition factor, whole body moisture, protein, lipid and ash among dietary treatments. Viscera ratio, hepatosomatic index and the liver lipid decreased significantly with increasing enzyme (P<0.05). Both protease and amylase activities in the intestine and the hepatopancreas of juvenile hybrid tilapia significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The results suggested that enzyme supplementation can significantly improve growth performance and feed utilization in juvenile hybrid tilapia.     

Effect of supplemental dietary zinc sources on the growth and carbohydrate utilization of tilapia Smith 1840, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of supplemental dietary zinc sources on the growth performance and carbohydrate utilization of juvenile tilapia Smith 1840, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus. The goal was to compare the bioavailability of two zinc sources, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) or zinc methionine (ZnMet), by using two practical basal diets with 350 g kg^?1 (C350) or 400 g kg^?1 (C400) carbohydrates based on wheat as the carbohydrate source. The results showed that fish fed with a diet supplemented with 60 mg kg^?1 Zn from either ZnSO₄ or ZnMet had a significantly (P < 0.05) greater specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio than those fed with the diets of ≤30 mg kg^?1 Zn. The composition of tilapia carcass was also found to be influenced by various levels of dietary zinc from the two zinc sources. The G6P‐DH in fish fed with the 20 mg kg^?1 ZnMet diet and the PK levels in fish fed with 20 mg kg^?1 ZnSO₄ and 30 mg kg^?1 ZnMet diet were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in fish fed with the C400 diet. The data suggest that supplemental dietary zinc from either ZnMet or ZnSO₄ significantly affects the growth performance and carbohydrate utilization of 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.     

酸制剂对罗非鱼生长和饲料利用的影响

为考察不同酸制剂对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长和饲料利用的影响,在基础饲料(对照组)中分别添加0.3%磷酸、富马酸、柠檬酸和乳酸,饲养奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼9周(初始平均体重约1.9g)。结果表明,添加0.3%柠檬酸和乳酸饲料组的罗非鱼特定生长率显著高于对照组和添加富马酸组(P<0.05);磷酸组、柠檬酸组和乳酸组的饲料效率较对照组有提高趋势(P>0.05),乳酸组的饲料效率显著高于富马酸组(P<0.05);柠檬酸组和乳酸组鱼体水分含量显著高于富马酸组(P<0.05),体粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量在组间差异不显著(P>0.05);胃蛋白酶活性在富马酸组显著低于其它饲料组(P<0.05),肠淀粉酶活性在柠檬酸组和乳酸组显著高于对照组(P<0.05);肝脏代谢酶活性在柠檬酸组和乳酸组显著高于对照组、磷酸组和富马酸组(P<0.05),相应地,柠檬酸组和乳酸组罗非鱼血清甘油三酯含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果说明,添加0.3%柠檬酸和乳酸能显著促进罗非鱼幼鱼生长,提高饲料的利用,富马酸降低罗非鱼对饲料的利用。     

无鱼粉饲料中添加磷和植酸酶对奥尼罗非鱼生长性能及体成分的影响

奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus×O.aureus)幼鱼的初始体重约5.0 g,试验共设5组饲料,以全鱼粉饲料为对照组(D0),以豆粕和花生粕完全替代鱼粉为试验组,其中两组为不补充磷酸二氢钙的情况下不添加植酸酶(D1)和添加植酸酶(D2),另两组为在补充磷酸二氢钙的情况下不添加植酸酶(D3)和添加植酸酶(D4)。每一饲料组设3个重复,每箱养鱼30尾,在流水系统中饲养,表观饱食投喂,投喂率为5%~6%。饲养实验周期为8周。试验结果表明,添加磷组(D3、D4)和全鱼粉组(D0)的特定生长率和饲料系数在组间差异不显著(P>0.05),但显著高于不添加磷组(D1、D2)(P<0.05);磷的表观消化率在添加植酸酶组(D2、D4)均显著高于不添加植酸酶(D1、D3),但与全鱼粉组(D0)差异不显著;鱼体粗蛋白含量在不添加磷和植酸酶组(D1)显著低于其他4组;体粗脂肪含量在不添加磷(D1、D2)组显著高于其他组;体灰分含量由高到低依次为全鱼粉组(D0)、添加磷和植酸酶组(D4)、添加磷不添加植酸酶组(D3)、不添加磷添加植酸酶组(D2)和不添加磷不添加植酸酶组(D1),且两两组间差异显著;体钙、磷、镁、锌含量和脱脂骨灰分、钙、磷含量在全鱼粉组(D0)最高。不添加磷组(D1、D2)血清磷含量显著低于其他3组,而血清碱性磷酸酶活性显著地高。试验结果说明,无鱼粉饲料中补充磷可保持奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长率,饲料利用和全鱼可食部分营养成分含量;同时添加植酸酶,能显著提高饲料中磷的利用率,促进磷、锌和镁在鱼体内沉积,并有进一步提高奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长和饲料利用的趋势。[中国水产科学,2006,13(1):112-118]     

Structure and function of the small intestine of the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus (Teleostei, Cichlidae)

This study examined the microscopic structure of the small intestine and digestion and absorption in the hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus. The small intestine was lined on the luminal face with villi, which were narrower and more dense in the proximal small intestine and became wider and sparser distally. The columnar epithelial cells lining the villi were predominantly enterocytes containing a brush border, interspersed with mucus containing goblet cells approximately every 4–6 cells. These mucus‐secreting cells contained both acid and basic mucins and increased in density in the distal and the terminal sections of the intestine. Proliferation of enterocytes was observed in the intervillus areas and lower third of the villus. Fish were fed diets of either fish meal or fish meal–wheat to which chromic oxide had been added as a non‐absorbed reference standard. Activity of the pancreatic enzymes, lipase, trypsin and amylase were determined along the small intestine relative to the non‐absorbed marker. Activity of these pancreatic enzymes was maximal in the proximal segments and decreased distally. Changes in the activity patterns of trypsin and amylase were observed with the different diets in the proximal small intestine. Net secretion of both N and fatty acids was found in the hepatic loop and absorption commenced distally decreasing in rate with distance from the pylorus. The pattern of N absorption in the proximal small intestine changed with the different diets. The structure and function of the small intestine of the tilapian omnivore thus are generally similar to mammals and digestion and absorption adapt with diet.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate level on growth and body composition of juvenile giant croaker Nibea japonica

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on the growth performance, body composition of giant croaker, Nibea japonica. The six diets were designated as carbohydrate level from 0% to 30%. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 18 giant croaker (initially weighing, 7.40 ± 0.15 g fish^?1) in flow‐through sea water system. The weight gain (WG) and special growth ratio (SGR) had tendency to increase with carbohydrate level from 0% to 12% after that decreased, and significantly lower in fish fed diet with 30% carbohydrate level than in other groups. Moreover, fish fed diet with 30% dietary carbohydrate has significantly higher feed conversion ratio (1.48 ± 0.18) and lower protein efficiency ratio (1.69 ± 0.21) than other groups (P < 0.05). The intraperitoneal fat ratio and condition factor had no significant difference in different groups (P > 0.05), hepatosomatic index value increased with dietary carbohydrate increased (P < 0.05). The result of this study also suggested that excess carbohydrate level (30%) led to lower lipid content in whole body. Based on the second‐order polynomial regression analysis of WG and SGR, 12.2–12.7% dietary carbohydrate provided maximum growth of N. japonica.     

Effects of dietary cecropin on growth,non‐specific immunity and disease resistance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary cecropin on growth performance, non‐specific immunity and disease resistance of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus). A basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 75, 150 and 225 mg kg^?1 cecropin to formulate four experimental diets. The results showed that final body weight and specific growth rate obtained with diet 150 mg kg^?1 cecropin were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that obtained with diets 0 and 75 mg kg^?1, whereas there was no difference between 150 and 225 mg kg^?1. Feed conversion efficiency was improved by increasing the dietary cecropin content (P < 0.05). However, feeding intake was reduced as dietary cecropin increased. Serum lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly increased with the increased levels of dietary cecropin (P < 0.05), and reached a maximum at level of 150 mg kg^?1 cecropin, then those values no longer increased. Moreover, the dietary cecropin supplementation level also exhibited a decrease in the cumulative mortality rates compared with the controls when challenged with Aeromonas veronii. The results suggested that the dietary supplementation of cecropin could improve the growth, non‐specific immunity indicators and resistance of hybrid tilapia against A. veronii.     

饲料糖水平对眼斑双锯鱼幼鱼生长性能和体成分的影响

为确定眼斑双锯鱼(Amphiprion ocellaris)幼鱼人工配合饲料的适宜糖水平,研究了糖水平为4.4%、8.4%、12.2%、16.1%、20.5%、24.5%和28.4%的人工饲料对眼斑双锯鱼幼鱼生长、饲料转化率和体成分的影响。结果显示,随着糖水平的升高,幼鱼增重率(WG)和特定生长率(SGR)呈先增加后降低趋势。回归分析表明,糖水平16.49%时WG最大;糖水平16.73%时SGR最大。饲料系数(FCR)随糖水平增加呈现先下降后上升的趋势,而蛋白质效率(PER)、蛋白质沉积率(PRR)和脂肪沉积率(LRR)的变化则相反。回归分析显示,糖水平9.20%时FCR最小;糖水平8.57%时PER最大;糖水平10.97%时PRR最大;糖水平14.12%时LRR最大。全鱼粗脂肪质量分数随糖水平升高而增加,糖水平20.5%时达到最高水平后略有下降。综合生长参数与糖水平的回归分析结果,眼斑双锯鱼生长最快的糖添加量为16.49%~16.73%;综合饲料效率参数与糖水平的回归分析结果,饲料效率最高的糖添加量为8.57%~14.12%。     

盐度对奥尼罗非鱼仔稚鱼生长、存活及其消化酶活力的影响

研究了不同盐度对奥尼罗非鱼仔、稚鱼生长、存活和消化酶活力的影响。试验设计2、4、6、8、10和纯净淡水0（对照组）共6个盐度梯度组,仔鱼的初始体重0.0080.001 g。结果表明,不同盐度对奥尼罗非鱼仔、稚鱼生长有显著差异（P0.05）,盐度4和6时,仔、稚鱼的生长速度和绝对增重率最高,分别为0.08 cmd-1和0.033 gd-1;盐度10时较低,只有0.06 cmd-1和0.023 gd-1;仔、稚鱼的肥满度介于3.43~3.81,各组之间差异不显著（P0.05）;盐度0~10时,各组存活率介于92.3%~94.7%,幼鱼所占比例介于66.0%~67.3%,各组之间差异不显著（P0.05）;胃蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶活力随盐度升高而降低,均在盐度0时活力最高,10时最低;脂肪酶和淀粉酶活力在盐度4时达到最高,10时活力最低。根据试验结果,奥尼罗非鱼仔、稚鱼培育的盐度最好控制在4.6左右。     

罗非鱼性别相关微卫星标记的初步筛选

为分析罗非鱼群体的遗传多样性以及筛选与罗非鱼性别相关的微卫星标记。应用24对微卫星引物,使用常规PCR及聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法在两个尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)群体和两个奥利亚罗非鱼(O.aureus)群体中初步筛选到UNH931、GM128、GM201、GM258、GM597以及UNH898共6个与性别相关的微卫星标记。然后使用降落PCR以及毛细管电泳的方法在两个尼罗罗非鱼群体、两个奥利亚罗非鱼群体以及ZY₁、WY₁、YY₁和YY₂型罗非鱼群体中进一步扩增这6个微卫星标记,统计各群体的遗传多样性参数:6个微卫星标记在上述群体共297个样本中检测到95个等位基因,其大小在97～302 bp之间,各位点在各群体等位基因数在1～13个之间,各群体平均观测等位基因数为2.167～9.333,平均有效等位基因数为1.624～4.966,平均观测杂合度为0.324～0.983,平均期望杂合度为0.329～0.782,平均多态信息含量为0.275～0.753;两个尼罗罗非鱼群体、W...     

Effect of varying dietary energy level on feed intake, feed conversion, whole-body composition and growth of Malawian tilapia, Oreochromis shiranus– Boulenger

Four isonitrogenous [30% crude protein (CP)] diets containing different gross energy levels (13.39, 16.74, 20.50 and 23.85 kJ g⁻¹) were evaluated to determine the optimum energy for the Malawian tilapia Oreochromis shiranus. Each tank (120 L) was stocked with 18 juvenile tilapia (average weight 7.32±0.25 g) and they were fed the experimental diets for 10 weeks. The final average weight of the fish was approximately twofold higher (range: 12.64–16.77 g) than the initial weight. The dietary energy significantly (P<0.05) influenced growth. The average weight of fish fed dietary energy level 20.50 kJ g⁻¹ was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the weight of the fish fed any of the other experimental diets. There was no significant difference in growth of fish fed 13.39 and 16.74 kJ g⁻¹ energy levels, but 23.85 kJ g⁻¹ produced the lowest growth rates. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between feed intake across the treatments. Feed conversion ratio (range: 2.2–3.0) and protein efficiency ratio (range: 1.10–1.50) among the dietary treatment groups were in agreement with trends for weight gain. Dietary energy level significantly (P<0.05) influenced the body composition of O. shiranus. Whole‐body moisture (range: 64.27–67.15%) and ash (range: 13.21–14.73%) decreased in all treatments. Whole‐body protein (range: 63.57–66.16%) increased only in groups fed on the diet containing 20.50 kJ g⁻¹. Whole‐body fat (range: 13.58–17.27%) and gross energy (range: 28.411–33.210 kJ g⁻¹) increased significantly (P<0.05). Fish survival was 100% in all treatments. The results demonstrated that to maximize growth at a temperature of 23°C, O. shiranus should be fed diets containing 20.50 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy.     

Faecal coliforms in pond water, sediments and hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus in Saudi Arabia

Total bacterial load, total coliforms faecal coliforms in pond water, sediment, intestine of hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus and pigeon Columba livia faeces were investigated monthly over a period of 1 year from July 1999 to June 2000. Fish were collected randomly by a cast net. Samples were analysed for coliforms using the multiple‐tube fermentation technique. Results showed total viable bacterial counts in the pond water, sediment, intestine of tilapia and pigeon faeces ranging from 1.8±0.9×10² to 6.0±1.2×10⁴ cfu mL^?1, 3.2±1.2×10⁵ to 2.8±1.5×10⁷ cfu g^?1, 8.2±1.6×10⁵ to 9.9±1.5×10⁷ cfu g^?11.0±0.4×10⁷to9.7±0.2×10⁹ cfu g^?1respectively. The most probable number (MPN) of coliforms and faecal coliforms ranged from 287±12 to ≥1600±0 100 mL^?1 in pond water; the MPN ranges for sediment, tilapia intestine and pigeon faeces were 257±29 to ≥1100±0 g^?1, 237±46 to ≥1100±0 g^?1 and 403±98 to ≥1100±0 g^?1 respectively. The abundance of normal bacteria coliforms was greater in the warm months than in the cold months. Ground water was free from any sort of coliform organisms, and there were no sources of human faecal matter in the pond. So, it is clear that faecal coliforms from pigeon faeces significantly contaminated (P<0.05) the ponds and tilapia intestines. Escherichia coli was the only coliform organism found in pond water, sediment, intestine of tilapia and pigeon faeces.     

不同种类碳水化合物对吉富罗非鱼生长性能、体组成和血清生化指标的影响

为了解罗非鱼对不同种类碳水化合物(CBH)的利用效果,研究了6种碳水化合物对罗非鱼生长性能、体组成和血清生化指标的影响。实验选用720尾初重为(3.0±0.3)g的健康吉富罗非鱼,随机分为6组,每组4个重复,每个重复30尾,分别投喂设计含30%南方糙米、次粉、玉米淀粉、马铃薯淀粉、甘薯淀粉和木薯淀粉的6种不同CBH的等氮、等能饲料,实验周期为8周。结果显示,南方糙米、玉米淀粉组的终末均重、增重率、特定生长率和蛋白效率显著高于其他组,而饲料系数明显最低(P0.05)。CBH种类明显影响全鱼、肌肉的组成(P0.05)。玉米淀粉组肝糖原含量明显高于马铃薯淀粉、甘薯淀粉和木薯淀粉组(P0.05),而马铃薯淀粉和甘薯淀粉组的血糖明显低于木薯淀粉、玉米淀粉和次粉组(P0.05)。CBH种类对血清CHO、TG影响明显(P0.05),但对TP、SOD、T-AOC和MDA的影响不明显(P0.05)。研究表明,不同种类CBH对罗非鱼生长性能的影响明显(P0.05),以特定生长率为指标,罗非鱼对南方糙米和玉米淀粉的利用效果较好。     

Effect of dietary probiotic Biogen® supplementation as a growth promoter on growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Probiotic microbial feed supplements are gaining wide acceptance in livestock production, and may be applicable to aquaculture production systems. The present study was conducted to examine probiotic treatment in the fingerling diet of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.). A total of 240 of Nile tilapia fingerlings (weight ranged from 22.96 to 26.40 g) were divided into five experimental groups. The experiment was conducted for 120 days. Experimental diets were identical in all, except for the variation in probiotic levels. A probiotic (Biogen^®) was used at 0% (diet 1), 0.5% (diet 2), 1.5% (diet 3), 2.0% (diet 4) and 2.5% (diet 5) inclusion rates in the experimental diets. The growth performance and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia including weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value and energy retention were significantly (P≤0.01) higher in the treatment receiving probiotic (Biogen^®) than the control diet. No differences were observed for moisture, ash and protein content (P≤0.01) among the experimental diets. The lowest gross energy and lipid contents were recorded for fish fed the diet containing 0.5% Biogen^® (P≤0.01). The production performance and subsequent cost–benefit analyses clearly indicated that the diets containing probiotic biogen recorded the highest net return and the lowest total cost compared with the control diet.     

饵料蛋白能量比对黑鲷幼鱼生长和体成分的影响

取黑鲷(Sparusmacrocephalus)幼鱼960尾,体重(3.39±0.18)g,以鱼粉和豆粕作为蛋白源,鱼油和豆油等比例混合油作为脂肪源,共配制4个蛋白水平(34%、38%、42%、46%),每一蛋白水平设3个脂肪水平(10%、13%、16%),共12种饵料,糖水平保持在16%左右,饵料的蛋白能量比(P/E)在96.76～136.21mg/kcal。黑鲷幼鱼随机分成12组,每组设2重复,实验为期42d。结果表明,对特定生长率(SGR)与饵料系数(FCR)的影响,以较高蛋白组(38%、42%、46%)显著优于低蛋白组(34%)(P<0.05),中、高脂肪组(13%、16%)显著优于低脂肪组(10%)(P<0.05);各组饵料对成活率的影响无显著差异(P>0.05)。当蛋白水平为42%,脂肪水平为16%时,黑鲷幼鱼获得最大特定生长率(3.20)、最高蛋白质效率(2.10)和最小饵料系数(1.14)。全鱼脂肪含量随着饵料中脂肪水平的提高而逐渐升高。在同一饵料蛋白水平内,全鱼蛋白与灰分含量随着饵料脂肪水平的提高呈逐渐升高趋势。经统计分析,饵料中不同蛋白能量比显著影响黑鲷幼鱼生长(P<0.05),饵料中脂肪有明显节约蛋白质的作用(P<0.05)。由生长及体成分的实验结果得出,黑鲷幼鱼的最适饵料蛋白水平为42%,最适蛋白能量比(P/E)为110.37mg/kcal。     

Vitamin E sparing effect by dietary vitamin C in juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus

In order to investigate sparing effects of vitamin C on vitamin E for juvenile hybrid tilapia, fish were fed diets with or without vitamin E each supplemented with either adequate or a high (3× adequate) level of two ascorbate sources, -ascorbic acid (AA) and its derivative, -ascorbyl-2-monophosphate-Mg (C2MP-Mg). Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish initially weighing a mean value of 0.54±0.01 g/fish in a closed-recirculated rearing system for 8 weeks. Weight gain and feed efficiency of fish fed the vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with adequate levels of either AA or C2MP-Mg were significantly lower (P<0.05) than fish fed the other diets. Plasma and liver -tocopherol concentrations were lower in fish fed vitamin E-deficient diets regardless of the level or source of supplemented ascorbate. Gill -tocopherolxxxxxxxx concentration was highest in fish fed vitamin E-adequate diets, intermediate in fish fed vitamin E-deficient diets supplemented with a high level of AA or C2MP-Mg and lowest in fish fed a vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with an adequate level of AA or C2MP-Mg. Fish fed a vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with an adequate level of AA or C2MP-Mg had higher hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances than fish fed the other diets. These data suggest that the high supplementation level (3× adequate) of ascorbate could spare vitamin E in diets for hybrid tilapia and that both AA and C2MP-Mg exhibits the same sparing effect.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate level on growth performance,body composition,apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum L

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on the growth performance, body composition and apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets containing graded levels of starch (1.3%, 6.5%, 12.5%, 18.4%, 24.2% and 30.4%) were fed to juvenile cobia. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with increasing dietary starch up to 18.4% (P<0.05), and thereafter SGR declined but FER and PER remained nearly the same. Apparent digestibility coefficient of starch reduced significantly when dietary starch up to 30.4%. Fish fed the diets with starch from 18.4% to 30.4% showed higher amylase activities in intestinal tract than those fed diets containing starch 1.3% and 6.5% (P<0.05). Significantly higher whole‐body lipid contents were observed in fish fed the diets containing higher starch. Whole‐body moisture content was inversely correlated with whole‐body lipid content, while protein and ash showed no significant differences. Plasma glucose, hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen and liver lipid increased with an increasing dietary starch. Based on SGR and FER, the appropriate dietary starch supplementations of juvenile cobia were estimated to be 21.1% and 18.0 % of diet respectively.