维生素A对皱纹盘鲍幼鲍生长、存活及体成分的影响

对鱼类和甲壳类营养需求的研究证实 ,维生素Ａ是水产动物必不可少的营养素。有关皱纹盘鲍营养需要的研究 ,现有的资料多集中于其对主要营养素特别是蛋白质[1,2 ] 、氨基酸[3 ] 、脂肪[4 ,5] 、脂肪酸[6,7] 等的研究 ,而对微量营养素特别是维生素的研究却很少 ,除了对维生素Ｃ的研究外[8] ,尚是空白。本研究通过用不同浓度梯度维生素Ａ的饲料投喂皱纹盘鲍幼鲍 ,测定其生长指标 ,分析幼鲍软体部水分、蛋白质及脂肪含量以及贝壳中灰分、钙及磷含量的变化 ,来综合评价幼鲍饲料中维生素Ａ的适宜添加量 ,为生产实践中鲍饲料配方提供理论依据1　材…     

中草药对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹生长及免疫力的影响

将体质量为0.3～0.5 g的蜕壳间期中华绒螯蟹幼蟹饲养在室内循环水系统28 cm×21 cm×17.5 cm独立塑料盒中,盒子底部放置瓦片作为隐蔽物,投喂每千克基础饲料中添加0、1.0、2.0 g由甘草、人参、绞股蓝、银杏叶配伍的复方中草药的饲料,研究复方中草药对幼蟹成活、生长、抗氧化及免疫力的影响。试验结果显示,饲料中添加复方中草药对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹成活率无显著影响(P>0.05),但显著提高了其质量增加率和特定生长率,缩短了蜕皮间隔(P<0.05)。饲料中添加复方中草药显著提高了雄体血清中的酸性磷酸酶活性以及肝胰腺中总抗氧化能力、超氧化物歧化酶和碱性磷酸酶活性,显著降低了肝胰腺中丙二醛的含量(P<0.05);饲料中添加中草药显著提高了雌体血清中酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶及肝胰腺中超氧化物歧化酶的活力。综上,饲料中添加复方中草药显著提高了幼蟹的生长性能、抗氧化及免疫能力,幼蟹饲料中复方中草药的适宜添加水平约为1.0 g/kg。     

饲料中添加精氨酸对仿刺参幼参生长、免疫能力及消化酶活力的影响

为研究精氨酸对仿刺参幼参生长、免疫能力及消化酶活力的影响,在基础饲料中添加0、1.00%、2.00%、3.00%和4.00%的包膜精氨酸(精氨酸含量为40%),配制精氨酸含量为0.32%、0.73%、1.16%、1.61%和1.99%的5种实验饲料(命名为D1,D2,D3,D4和D5),饲喂初始体质量9.10 g的仿刺参幼参60 d。结果表明,精氨酸显著提高了仿刺参的增重率、特定生长率和蛋白质效率,且在D4组达到最高;D3、D4和D5组仿刺参的脏壁比、肠壁比及肠长比显著低于D1和D2组,但3组之间差异不显著;精氨酸显著提高了体壁粗蛋白的沉积,但对水分及粗脂肪含量影响不显著;精氨酸显著提高了体壁谷氨酸、精氨酸、亮氨酸、组氨酸、羟脯氨酸、必需氨基酸及总氨基酸的含量,降低了赖氨酸含量;体腔液中总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、一氧化氮(NO)、一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)及谷草转氨酶(AST)活力随着精氨酸含量的增加而显著提高;肠道蛋白酶活力与饲料精氨酸含量呈二次负相关关系(Y酶活=-3.228X2精氨酸+2.865X精氨酸+26.24,R2=0.934),D3、D4和D5组纤维素酶活力显著高于D1和D2组,淀粉酶及脂肪酶活力不受精氨酸含量的影响。以增重率为评价指标,一元二次回归分析表明,体质量9.10 g的仿刺参饲料中精氨酸适宜含量为1.55%(7.10%饲料粗蛋白)。     

复方中草药对杂色鲍幼鲍血淋巴中几种酶活力的影响

将12种中草药按其不同的药理作用和药效进行配伍,形成5组复方中草药,分别编号为中草药1～5号。将以上中草药添加到杂色鲍幼鲍的人工配合饲料中,连续喂饲幼鲍,饲养47d后,测定幼鲍无细胞血淋巴中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、溶茵酶(LSZ)活力。结果显示,所有添加中草药的sOD活力均比对照组降低,中草药1、5号可提高幼鲍血淋巴的ACP和LSZ活力,而对AKP则起到降低的作用;中草药3、4号可提高幼鲍血淋巴的LSZ活力,却降低幼鲍血淋巴的ACP和AKP活力,中草药2号对ACP、AKP和LSZ活力均有提高作用,具有较突出的促进杂色鲍幼鲍免疫酶活力的功能。     

饲料中不同维生素A含量对花鲈生长和血清生化指标的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,鱼油和豆油为脂肪源,糊精为糖源并添加氨基酸混合物配制精制基础饲料,通过向基础饲料中添加维生素A醋酸酯使饲料中的维生素A含量达到0、1 000、2 000、4 000、8 000和16 000 IU/kg(实测含量为245、1 005、1 835、3 781、7 583和15 273 IU/kg),配制出6种等氮等能的实验饲料(饲料1～6).以花鲈为实验对象,在室内流水系统中进行为期9周的生长实验,探讨精制饲料中不同维生素A含量对花鲈生长和血清学生化指标的影响.结果表明:摄食不添加维生素A组(饲料1)饲料的花鲈在养殖后期表现出较高的死亡率,并出现眼球浮肿、膨胀、鳍基充血以及鳃盖扭曲等维生素A缺乏症,而在其他维生素A添加组(饲料2～6)并未出现类似症状.体成分分析表明:饲料中不同维生素A含量会显著增加花鲈体脂肪含量,但对蛋白质和水分的含量没有显著影响.对花鲈血清指标分析表明:饲料添加维生素A含量会显著增加花鲈血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、甘油三酯(TG)和胆固醇(TC)含量,但显著降低丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活力.采用折线模型,当以增重率为评价指标时,花鲈对饲料中维生素A的需求量为1 934.8 IU/kg;当以肝脏维生素A含量为评价指标时,花鲈对饲料中维生素A的需求量为3 546.6 IU/kg.     

维生素D_3对仿刺参幼参生长、体组成及抗氧化能力的影响

为研究维生素D_3对仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)幼参生长、体组成及抗氧化能力的影响,在基础饲料中分别添加0(D1)、250(D2)、500(D3)、1000(D4)、2000(D5)、3000(D6) IU/kg的维生素D_3(实测值:95、334、570、1076、2063、3081IU/kg),制作6组等氮等能的实验饲料,饲喂初始体重为(15.43±0.14)g仿刺参幼参56d。结果显示,1)维生素D3对仿刺参存活率(SR)无显著影响(P0.05),显著提高了增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR),D1组均显著低于其他组(P0.05);D3、D4、D5组肠体比(IWR)显著高于其他3组(P0.05),但3组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。2)维生素D3对体壁水分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量无显著影响(P0.05);粗灰分含量随添加量的增加呈先升后降趋势,D5组达到最高值;羟脯氨酸含量呈先下降后上升趋势,D4组达到最低值;维生素D3显著提高了体壁Ca含量(P0.05);体壁维生素D_3的沉积量呈先上升后下降趋势,D4组达到最高值,显著高于其他组(P0.05)。P含量呈先上升后平稳趋势;Mg含量呈上升趋势,D1组显著低于其他组(P0.05);Fe含量呈先升后降趋势,D5、D6组显著低于其他组(P0.05);Mn含量呈下降趋势,但各组间差异不显著(P0.05)。3)随着维生素D_3添加量的增加,肠道碱性磷酸酶(AKP)及总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力呈先上升后下降趋势,丙二醛(MDA)含量呈下降趋势,各组间总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均无显著性差异(P0.05)。研究表明,以增重率为评价指标,一元二次线性回归分析表明,初始体重为15.43 g的仿刺参对维生素D_3的最适需求量为1587.5 IU/kg。     

饲料中添加不同水平的维生素D_3对草鱼幼鱼生长和体成分的影响

本文以酪蛋白和脱脂豆粕为蛋白源,糊精为糖源,玉米油和豆油为脂肪源的半纯化饲料为基础饲料,研究维生素D3对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼生长及体成分的影响。维生素D3共设0,100,200,500,1000,2000,3000 IU/kg 7个添加梯度,每一梯度设3个重复,每个重复放养60尾初始体质量(3.86±0.34)g的草鱼,在(26.9±3)℃的流水系统中养殖8周。结果显示:维生素D3对草鱼幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、存活率、体水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪含量和血清钙浓度没有显著性影响(P>0.05);对照组和添加100 IU/kg维生素D3的试验组中,草鱼幼鱼的粗灰分显著低于其它试验组(P<0.05);与对照组相比,饲料中添加维生素D3对全鱼钙磷含量、血清磷离子浓度以及碱性磷酸酶活性影响显著(P<0.05)。根据维生素D3对全鱼钙磷含量的影响,草鱼幼鱼饲料中维生素D3适宜的添加量为1000 IU/kg。     

维生素D3对仿刺参幼参生长、体组成及 抗氧化能力的影响

为研究维生素D3对仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)幼参生长、体组成及抗氧化能力的影响,在基础饲料中分别添加0(D1)、250(D2)、500(D3)、1000(D4)、2000(D5)、3000(D6) IU/kg的维生素D3(实测值：95、334、570、1076、2063、3081 IU/kg),制作6组等氮等能的实验饲料,饲喂初始体重为(15.43±0.14) g仿刺参幼参56 d。结果显示,1) 维生素D3对仿刺参存活率(SR)无显著影响(P>0.05),显著提高了增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR),D1组均显著低于其他组(P<0.05);D3、D4、D5组肠体比(IWR)显著高于其他3组(P<0.05),但3组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。2) 维生素D3对体壁水分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量无显著影响(P>0.05);粗灰分含量随添加量的增加呈先升后降趋势,D5组达到最高值;羟脯氨酸含量呈先下降后上升趋势,D4组达到最低值;维生素D3显著提高了体壁Ca含量(P<0.05);体壁维生素D3的沉积量呈先上升后下降趋势,D4组达到最高值,显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。P含量呈先上升后平稳趋势;Mg含量呈上升趋势,D1组显著低于其他组(P<0.05);Fe含量呈先升后降趋势,D5、D6组显著低于其他组(P<0.05);Mn含量呈下降趋势,但各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。3) 随着维生素D3添加量的增加,肠道碱性磷酸酶(AKP)及总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力呈先上升后下降趋势,丙二醛(MDA)含量呈下降趋势,各组间总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。研究表明,以增重率为评价指标,一元二次线性回归分析表明,初始体重为15.43 g的仿刺参对维生素D3的最适需求量为1587.5 IU/kg。     

2种饵料模式对稻田养殖中华绒螯蟹幼蟹养殖性能和生理代谢的影响

为优化稻田养殖中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹的饵料模式,本研究分别采用配合饲料和传统饵料(豆粕、麸皮、玉米和小麦)投喂稻田养殖中华绒螯蟹幼蟹152 d,每种投喂组各3个重复,比较2种饵料模式对幼蟹养殖性能、蛋白质代谢、消化酶、抗氧化和免疫指标的影响。结果显示,配合饲料组的雌蟹和雄蟹体质量均高于传统饵料组,但差异不显著(P>0.05);就养殖性能而言,2种饵料模式下,配合饲料组正常幼蟹的平均体质量及产量、1龄早熟蟹平均体质量及其产量、总产量和成活率均略高于传统饵料组,饵料系数显著低于传统饵料组(P<0.05);就蛋白质代谢而言,配合饲料组雌蟹和雄蟹血淋巴中的总蛋白含量显著高于传统饵料组(P<0.05),而传统饵料组雄蟹血淋巴中的尿素氮含量和肝胰腺中的谷草转氨酶活力显著高于配合饲料组(P<0.05);配合饲料组雌蟹和雄蟹肝胰腺中的脂肪酶均显著高于传统饵料组(P<0.05),而雄蟹的α-淀粉酶活力显著低于传统饵料组;配合饲料组的雌蟹血淋巴中总抗氧化能力、碱性磷酸酶、酸性磷酸酶活力和肝胰腺中酸性磷酸酶活力均显著高于传统饵料组(P<0.05)。综上所述,投喂配合饲料可以提高稻田扣蟹的养殖性能、促进蛋白质沉积和脂类吸收、增强幼蟹抗氧化和免疫能力、提高蟹种质量。     

仿刺参幼参对缬氨酸最适需求量的研究

为探讨仿刺参幼参对缬氨酸的最适需求量,在基础饲料中添加0、0.80%、1.60%、2.40%、3.20%和4.00%的包膜缬氨酸,配制缬氨酸含量分别为0.61%(D1,对照组)、1.14%(D2)、1.46%(D3)、1.73%(D4)、2.17%(D5)和2.64%(D6)的实验饲料,饲喂体质量为(9.20±0.12)g的仿刺参幼参8周。结果显示,①添加缬氨酸对仿刺参幼参的成活率(SR)无显著影响;增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)均呈先上升后下降趋势,D4组显著高于其他各组;②添加缬氨酸对肠壁比和肠长比均无显著影响;③体壁粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量均呈先上升后下降趋势,D4组粗蛋白含量显著高于其他各组,添加缬氨酸显著提高了体壁组氨酸、缬氨酸、必需氨基酸和总氨基酸含量,降低了亮氨酸、异亮氨酸和酪氨酸含量;④肠道中总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)随缬氨酸添加量的增加呈上升趋势,D1组显著低于其他各组;丙二醛(MDA)呈先下降后上升趋势,D4组显著低于对照组;⑤肠道蛋白酶和脂肪酶活力均呈先上升后下降趋势,D3组蛋白酶显著高于其他各组,淀粉酶活力不受缬氨酸含量的影响。综上,饲料中添加适宜的缬氨酸显著提高了仿刺参的生长性能和非特异性免疫力,改变了体壁的常规成分和氨基酸含量。以增重率为评价指标,经折线回归分析得出,体质量为9.20 g的仿刺参其配合饲料中缬氨酸最适含量为1.79%(9.18%饲料蛋白质)。     

Effect of dietary substitution of sea tangle (ST), Laminaria japonica with rice bran (RB) on growth and body composition of juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus)

Dietary substitution effect of sea tangle (ST) with rice bran (RB) on growth and carcass composition of juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus) was determined. Juvenile abalone was acclimated to the experimental conditions for 4 weeks. Seventy juvenile abalone averaging 0.43 g were randomly distributed into each of the 18, 70 L plastic rectangular containers. The experimental diets were fed to abalone once a day at a satiation level with a little leftover. The feeding trial lasted for 16 weeks. Survival of abalone was not affected by dietary substitution of ST with RB. However, weight gain of abalone fed the RB40 diet was higher than that of abalone fed the all other diets except for the RB0 diet. No significant difference in weight gain was found in abalone fed between the RB0 and RB100 diets. SGR of abalone fed the RB40 diet was higher than that of abalone fed the all other diets. Also SGR of abalone fed the RB0 diet was higher than that of abalone fed the RB100 diet, but not different from that of abalone fed the RB20, RB60 and RB80 diets. Moisture, crude protein and ash content of the soft body of abalone were affected by dietary substitution of ST with RB. In conclusion, the 100% ST could be substituted with RB without a retardation of weight gain of abalone when the 20% ST was included into the experimental diet. However, the best growth performance was obtained in abalone fed the RB40 diet substituting 40% ST with RB.     

Optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile ivory shell, Babylonia areolate

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein requirement for juvenile ivory shell reared in indoor aerated aquaria. Six isoenergetic experimental diets using fish meal, casein and gelatin as protein sources were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (27, 33, 38, 43, 49 and 54% of dry diet, respectively). Triplicate groups of 40 shells (average weight 93.50 ± 1.70 mg) were stocked in 120-l tanks and fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance and feed utilization were significantly affected by dietary protein level (P < 0.05). Maximum weight gain, mean protein gain, specific growth rate and soft body to shell ratio occurred at 43% dietary protein level (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture and ash content in soft body; except that ash content in shell was not significantly affected by dietary protein level. Pepsin activity in soft body tissue significantly increased with dietary protein level up to 43%, and trypsin-like enzyme activity increased with dietary protein level up to 49%. However, lipase activity in soft body decreased with increasing dietary protein level. However, no significant differences (P < 0.05) in survival, calcium, phosphorus concentration in the shell and soft body were found among dietary treatments. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary protein level indicated that the optimal dietary protein requirement for maximum growth and feed utilization of juvenile ivory shell is 45% of dry diet.     

Growth and Body Composition Effects of Tuna Byproduct Meal Substituted for Fish Meal in the Diet of Juvenile Abalone,Haliotis discus

The effects on growth and body composition that result from tuna byproduct meal (TBM) substituted for fish meal in the diet of juvenile abalone, Haliotis discus, were determined. One thousand two hundred sixty juvenile abalone were randomly distributed into 18 70‐L plastic rectangular containers. Six experimental diets were prepared in triplicate. The TBM0 diet included 28% fish meal and 13% soybean meal as the protein source. Twenty‐five, 50, 75, and 100% of the fish meal were substituted with TBM. Finally, salted sea tangle was prepared. The essential amino acids, such as isoleucine, lysine, and valine, tended to decrease with the dietary substitution of TBM for fish meal in the experimental diets. The weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) of abalone that were fed the TBM25 diet were higher than those of abalone that were fed the other diets. The crude protein content of the soft body of the abalone linearly decreased with the dietary substitution of TBM for fish meal. In conclusion, as much as 75% of the fish meal in the diet of abalone can be replaced with TBM without retardation in weight gain and SGR of the abalone when 28% fish meal was included.     

Dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus)

An 8‐week growth experiment was conducted to quantify the appropriate dietary vitamin C requirement of juvenile Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus). Triplicate groups of 30 experimental fish [initial body weight: (7.1 ± 0.3) g] were cultured in 500 L aquaria and fed with semi‐purified diets containing six levels [10.1 (unsupplemented diet), 37.4, 64.9, 125.2, 244.2 and 482.0 mg kg^?1 diet, respectively] of vitamin C (supplied as L‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate). Results showed that weight gain of Chinese sucker was significantly increased with increasing dietary vitamin C levels, but there was no significant difference of weight gain among fish fed the diets containing more than 125.2 mg kg^?1 vitamin C. As dietary vitamin C increased, the liver vitamin C content of fish showed the increasing trend firstly and then stabled, while the muscle vitamin C content significantly increased without reaching a constant level. Lower liver malondialdehyde content was observed in 125.2, 244.2 and 482.0 mg kg^?1 vitamin C groups, and higher antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activities were observed in supplemented groups when compared to the unsupplemented group. Liver aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were also significant affected by dietary vitamin C. Ash content of fish fed the diet with 244.2 or 482.0 mg kg^?1 vitamin C was significantly higher than that of fish fed the other diets. However, dietary vitamin C had no significant effects on whole‐body crude protein, lipid and moisture contents. The vitamin C requirement of juvenile Chinese sucker was estimated to be 84.6 and 126.1 mg kg^?1 based on weight gain and liver vitamin C concentration respectively.     

Effect of dietary protein and temperature on the growth and health of juvenile New Zealand black‐footed abalone (Haliotis iris)

The protein requirements for optimal growth and health of juvenile New Zealand black‐footed abalone (Haliotis iris) under different water temperatures were investigated. Six diets with different crude protein amounts (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 45%) and two temperature regimes (13–21 and 8–16 °C) were used to culture juvenile abalone over a 4‐month period. Growth (shell lengths and animal weights) and health (survival, activity and mucous production) parameters were recorded for animals within all protein and temperature combinations. Proximate analyses and amino acid profiles were also performed on the diets, soft bodies (including gonad), and shells to evaluate the overall nutrient contents (diet and animal) and requirements (animal). The results indicate that the protein requirements for juvenile H. iris are higher when the environmental temperatures are low. Thus, increasing the dietary protein level results in better growth [i.e. increase in soft body (including gonad) crude protein and mean protein gain] and health (i.e. more goblet cells and thicker epithelial layers). Results from amino acid profiles in abalone soft bodies (including gonad) and shells show that these parameters did not change considerably with different dietary protein levels, but temperature did affect the concentration of several amino acids in both soft bodies (including gonad) and shells.     

Effects of dietary substitution of fishmeal with the combined dry microalgae,Nannochloropsis oceanica (NO) biomass residue and casein on growth and body composition of juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus)

The effects of dietary substitution of fishmeal with the combined dry Nannochloropsis oceanica (NO) biomass residue and casein on growth performance and carcass composition of juvenile abalone was determined. One thousand two hundred and sixty juvenile abalone were randomly distributed into the 18 L plastic rectangular containers. Five experimental diets in triplicate were prepared. The 28% fishmeal was included into the control (Con) diet. The 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% fishmeal were substituted with the combination of graded levels of dry NO biomass residue and casein, referred to as the NO25, NO50, NO75 and NO100 diets respectively. Finally, the salted sea tangle (ST), Laminaria japonica was prepared to compare the effect of the experimental diets on performance of abalone. The essential amino acids, such as isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, threonine and valine tended to increase with dietary substitution of fishmeal with NO biomass residue in the experimental diets. Arginine tended to decrease with dietary substitution of fishmeal with NO biomass residue. Survival of abalone fed the experimental diets was higher than that of abalone fed the ST diet for 16 weeks. Weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) of abalone fed the NO100 diet were higher than those of abalone fed the all other diets. Weight gain and SGR of abalone linearly increased with dietary substation of fishmeal with NO. Shell length of abalone tended to increase with dietary substitution of fishmeal with the combined dry NO biomass residue and casein. The chemical composition of the soft body of abalone was different among treatments except for moisture content. In conclusion, fishmeal in the diets for abalone could be completely replaced with the combined dry NO biomass residue and casein when the 28% fishmeal was included.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C on growth performance,body composition and biochemical parameters of juvenile Chu's croaker (Nibea coibor)

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for normal physiological and immune functions of fish. However, its requirements and effects in Chu's croaker (Nibea coibor) are currently unknown. A 56‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements based on its effects on growth performance, body composition and biochemical parameters in juvenile Chu's croaker (14.17 ± 0.1 g). Six isoproteic (450 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (100 g/kg crude lipid) diets were formulated to contain 2.24 (basal diet), 39.03, 85.01, 171.16, 356.49 and 715.46 mg/kg of vitamin C. The results showed that fish fed on 171.16 mg/kg vitamin C diet had the highest growth performance and feed utilization. Fish fed on the basal diet had higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content and lower activities of antioxidant enzymes in the serum and liver as compared with those fed on vitamin C diets. Polynomial analysis indicated that the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements of juvenile Chu's croaker were 102.28, 98.21, 150.26, 165.38, 71.46, 176.19, 84.84 and 103.78 mg/kg based on weight gain, specific growth rate, liver storage, muscle storage, liver MDA content, liver alanine aminotransferase activity, liver alkaline phosphatase activity and liver superoxide dismutase activity, respectively. We recommend an inclusion level in the range of 71.46–150.26 mg/kg vitamin C in the diets of juvenile Chu's croaker for optimum growth performance, liver function, antioxidant capacity and innate immunity functions.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate level on growth performance of juvenile spotted Babylon (Babylonia areolata Link 1807)

A growth trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary carbohydrate level on growth performance, feed utilization and metabolism of juvenile spotted babylon. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets (48% crude protein and 15 MJ kg^− 1 diet) using wheat starch as the carbohydrate source, were formulated to contain six carbohydrate levels. Triplicate groups of 45 animals (initial average weight, 168.39 ± 0.69 mg) were stocked in 120-l tanks and fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 10 weeks. Growth performance and feed utilization were significantly affected by dietary carbohydrate level. Maximum weight gain and specific growth rate occurred at 20% dietary starch inclusion, survival and soft body to shell ratios were not significantly different among diets. There were significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture and glycogen content in soft body. Glycogen content in soft body was positively correlated with dietary starch level. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly affected by dietary starch level, with both peaking in the 20% treatment; however, there were no significant differences in 6-phosphofructokinase activity in any treatment. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain against dietary starch level indicated that the optimal dietary carbohydrate level for maximum weight gain of juvenile spotted babylon is 27.1% of dry diet.     

Optimum dietary crude protein level for growth in South African abalone (Haliotis midae L.)

A 95‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein level on total body weight gain and protein gain of juvenile (4.89 ± 0.57 g) South African abalone (Haliotis midae). Six semi‐purified diets containing casein, fish meal and cottonseed meal as protein sources, and with crude protein levels ranging from 54.8 to 479.2 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM), were fed to four tanks containing 30 abalone each in a continuous flow system. No differences (P > 0.05) were found in moisture, ash or lipid content of soft‐body tissue as dietary crude protein level increased, indicating that differences (P < 0.05) in soft‐body protein content were solely due to dietary crude protein level. The relationships between dietary crude protein level and total body weight gain and protein gain were analysed by broken‐line and second‐order polynomial regression models. Based on total body weight gain, 358.7 g kg^?1 DM dietary protein from good quality sources is recommended for maximum growth of juvenile H. midae, while, if dietary protein is reduced to 280.7 g kg^?1 DM, growth will be depressed with 5 g kg^?1.