Effect of ammonia on the electrolyte status of an Indian major carp Catla catla

Ammonia is present in the aquatic environment due to agricultural runoff, sewage effluents and decomposition of biological waste. High level of ammonium in the aquatic environment or in aquaculture farms is a serious problem for aquatic organisms. In the present investigation, the sublethal effects of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) at 9.98 mg L^?1 on plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^?) level of Indian major carp Catla catla fingerlings was studied for a period of 35 days under semistatic conditions. Exposure of fish to sublethal concentration of TAN at 9.98 mg L^?1 caused changes in the levels of plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^?) compared with control fish. No mortality was observed in any group during the treatment period. The present study reveals that the levels of plasma sodium and potassium (except on 7th day) electrolytes were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased throughout the study period. However, the decrease in plasma chloride level was found to be not significant when compared with control group. The present study concludes that the measurements of plasma electrolytes levels can be used as potential biomarkers for monitoring nitrogenous chemicals in aquatic environment.     

Induction,purification and partial characterization of vitellogenin in an Indian major carp Catla catla (Ham.)

Vitellogenin was purified from the serum of 17‐β estradiol (E₂)‐induced juvenile Catla catla using a simple two‐step purification procedure i.e. selective chemical precipitation followed by gel filtration chromatography. Purified protein migrated as single band in a native gradient PAGE which indicated the purity of the sample. The molecular weight of the native catla vitellogenin (~440 kDa) was determined using gel filtration chromatography. In SDS‐PAGE under reducing conditions catla vitellogenin dissociated into three major sub units at 115 kDa, 102 kDa and 73 kDa along with a few faint bands. Confirmation of purified protein as catla vitellogenin was supported by multiple physiological evidences, e.g. absence in male as well as juvenile sera and presence in matured female fish, ability to be synthesized upon estradiol injection in immature fish and certain unique biochemical properties like high molecular weight, phospholipoglycoprotein nature of the molecule. Western blot analysis showed that polyclonal antibody raised against purified protein detected vitellogenin in the sera of catla and in a few species selected from Cyprinidae family. These antisera were used to detect vitellogenin in liver tissue of hormone‐induced catla using immunohistochemistry and its applicability in other immunoassays is discussed.     

Establishment and characterization of macrophage cell line from thymus of Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

A continuous cell line has been developed from thymus explants of Catla catla and the cells have been subcultured for 63 passages. The cells exhibited optimum growth at 30°C in L‐15 medium containing 15% foetal bovine serum. The cultured cells engulfed yeast cells and fluorescent latex beads. These cells produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and phorbol esters. The culture supernatant from the cultured cells had lysozyme activity and these cells demonstrated Fc receptors. Almost all the cells were positive for alpha‐naphthyl acetate esterase enzyme suggesting that the cells are of macrophage lineage and therefore, the cell line was designated as catla thymus macrophage (CTM) cell line. CTM cells formed aggregates around zoospores of Aphanomyces invadans, but were unable to inhibit the germination of spores. The karyotype analysis of CTM cells at 25th passage revealed a typical diploid model with 50 chromosomes per cell. Partial amplification, sequencing and alignment of fragments of two mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 confirmed that the CTM cell line originated from C. catla. This cell line should be useful for studying the role of macrophages in differentiation and maturation of thymocytes and can be a source of macrophage‐specific enzymes and cytokines.     

Dietary tryptophan requirement of fingerling Catla catla (Hamilton) based on growth,protein gain,RNA/DNA ratio,haematological parameters and carcass composition

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted in eighteen 70 L indoor polyvinyl circular troughs provided with a water flow‐through system (1–1.5 L min^?1) at 28 ± 1 °C to evaluate the dietary tryptophan requirement of fingerling Catla catla (3.45 ± 0.24 cm; 0.60 ± 0.13 g). Six casein‐gelatin‐based amino acid test diets (330 g kg^?1 crude protein; 13.6 kJ g^?1 digestible energy) containing graded levels of L‐tryptophan (1.0, 1.4, 1.9, 2.3, 2.8, 3.4 g kg^?1 dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish near to satiation at 08:00, 12:30 and 17:30 h. Absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein gain, RNA/DNA ratio, hepatosomatic index, viscerosomatic index, condition factor and haematological indices improved with the increasing levels of tryptophan from 1.0 to 2.3 g kg^?1 of dry diet. Significantly higher carcass protein was obtained at 2.3 g tryptophan per kilogram of the dry diet. Exponential analysis of absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein gain and RNA/DNA ratio against dietary tryptophan levels at 95% maximum and minimum responses displayed the tryptophan requirement at 2.5, 2.3, 2.5 and 2.1 g kg^?1 dry diet, respectively. Inclusion of dietary tryptophan in the range of 2.1–2.5 g kg^?1 dry diet, equivalent to 6.4–7.6 g kg^?1 dietary protein, is recommended in formulating tryptophan‐balanced feed for the culture of this fish species.     

Dietary threonine requirement of fingerling Indian major carp,Catla catla (Hamilton) estimated by growth,protein retention efficiency,threonine deposition,haematological parameters and carcass composition

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary threonine requirement of fingerling Indian major carp, Catla catla (3.35 ± 0.11 cm; 0.59 ± 0.06 g). Six casein‐gelatin based (33% crude protein; 3.23 kcal g^?1 digestible energy) amino acid test diets with graded levels of analysed threonine (0.74%, 0.96%, 1.21%, 1.48%, 1.72% and 1.93% dry diet) were fed to satiation to triplicate groups of fish. Absolute weight gain (g per fish), feed conversion ratio, protein retention efficiency, threonine deposition, RNA/DNA ratio and carcass protein significantly improved with the increase in dietary threonine and peaked at 1.48% of the dry diet. Haematological indices were also found to be best in fish fed at 1.48% threonine diet. Quadratic regression analysis of absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein retention efficiency, threonine deposition, RNA/DNA ratio, carcass protein, haemoglobin (g dL^?1), haematocrit (%) and RBCs (10⁶ × mm^?3) at 95% of maximum and minimum response exhibited the threonine requirement of fingerling C. catla between 1.35% and 1.48% dry diet, corresponding to 4.09–4.48% dietary protein. Present finding would be useful in formulating threonine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of C. catla.     

Total sulphur amino acid requirement and maximum cysteine replacement value for methionine for fingerling Catla catla (Hamilton)

Two separate 12 weeks feeding trials were performed to quantify the total sulphur amino acid (TSAA) requirement (experiment I) and cysteine replacement value for methionine (experiment II) of fingerling Catla catla. In experiment I, six casein–gelatin based (33% crude protein; 16.72 kJ g^?1 gross energy) diets with graded levels of TSAA (0.56%, 0.81%, 1.06%, 1.31%, 1.56%, 1.81% dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (3.55 ± 0.06 cm; 0.65 ± 0.02 g) near to satiation. The TSAA requirement was determined by quadratic regression analysis of absolute weight gain (AWG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed efficiency (FE), protein gain (PG) and TSAA gain (TSAAG) against dietary TSAA concentrations at 95% maximum response. Above analysis revealed that inclusion of TSAA at 1.28% dry diet (1.22% methionine + 0.06% cysteine), corresponding to 3.87% of dietary protein is optimum. In experiment II, to determine the replacement value of cysteine for methionine, six diets containing 1.28% TSAA determined in experiment I with different ratios of l ‐methionine and l ‐cysteine (80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70) on equimolar sulphur basis were fed to fish (3.65 ± 0.08 cm; 0.67 ± 0.04 g). Broken‐line regression analysis of AWG, PER, FE, PG and TSAAG against varying methionine to cysteine ratios yielded the optimum cysteine replacement value at 40.3%. Based on above analysis, it is recommended that inclusion of 1.28% dietary TSAA, corresponding to 3.87% of dietary protein is optimum of which 40.3% could be spared by cysteine. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating TSAA balanced, cost‐effective feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Molecular characterization,inductive expression and mechanism of interleukin‐10 gene induction in the Indian major carp,catla (Catla catla)

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is a multifunctional cytokine and plays an important role in diseases. In this study, IL‐10 gene was cloned and characterized from catla (Catla catla), which is a highly commercially important fish species in the Indian subcontinent. The result indicated that the full‐length catla IL‐10 (cIL‐10) gene had five exons and four introns with an open reading frame of 540 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 179 amino acids. A phylogenetic analysis of cIL‐10 gene sequence showed that cIL‐10 clustered with freshwater carps group as expected. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that cIL‐10 was expressed in gill, liver, kidney, intestine, skin and heart and its expression profile was up‐regulated in bacterial infection and LPS treatment. A close relationship of high cIL‐10 expression and low pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1β expression was observed in the treated group of fish, which might reveal the role of cIL‐10 as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine. Mechanism of cIL‐10 induction was investigated by blocking nuclear factor (NF)‐κB ‐signalling with BAY 11‐7082 in catla kidney cell culture. Blocking NF‐κB suppressed IL‐10 induction by LPS, and thus it revealed that cIL‐10 was induced through NF‐κB signalling. These data could be helpful to understand the function of IL‐10 in fish in response to vaccinations, probiotics and various diseases.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive tract and digestive enzymatic activities in Squaliobarbus curriculus larvae

Squaliobarbus curriculus is an economically important freshwater fish. The ontogenetic development of the digestive system of S. curriculus larvae was studied histologically and enzymatically from hatching to 30 days posthatching (DPH). Amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase and pepsin activities were detected from the hatching stage, indicating that these enzymes were genetically preprogrammed. Marked increases in intestinal amylase, trypsin and alkaline phosphatase activities between 10 and 20 DPH corresponded to feed acquisition and transformation. Larval development in S. curriculus could be divided into three phases: phase I (endotrophic period): 1–3 DPH; phase II (endo‐exotrophic period): 4–5 DPH; and phase III (exclusively exotrophic period): from 6 DPH onward. At hatching, the digestive tract of the larvae was an undifferentiated straight tube. On 3 DPH, the digestive tract differentiated into the mouth cavity, oesophagus and intestine. On 6 DPH, feeding was totally exotrophic and the yolk sac was completely exhausted. During the growth of S. curriculus larvae, the intestinal mucosa formed and the number of goblet cells and microvilli increased, demonstrating maturation of the digestive system. The study about the digestive development of S. curriculus larvae will contribute to better larval‐rearing strategies.     

甲壳动物幼体消化酶研究进展

通过研究近年来国内外学者关于甲壳动物幼体消化酶方面的研究现状,发现目前已测定出甲壳动物幼体消化酶的种类主要有：蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、羧肽酶A、羧肽酶B、氨肽酶、胶原酶、弹性蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶、酯酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶、几丁质酶、麦芽糖酶、蔗糖酶、昆布多糖酶等种类,初步归纳了甲壳动物幼体主要消化酶的分子量、最适pH和最适温度;分析了幼体发育过程中消化酶活力变化模式以及与食性的关系,并采用淀粉酶/蛋白酶活力（A/P）比值或淀粉酶/类胰蛋白酶（A/T）比值作为甲壳动物幼体的食性指标;观察了幼体消化器官的发育,阐明幼体消化酶的合成与分泌不仅由遗传控制、中肠腺发育程度等因子决定,而且还与饲料的营养水平有关,提出采用幼体消化酶对饲料组成的适应性研究幼体营养需求的新途径.[中国水产科学,2006,13（3）：492-501]     

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilussupplementation on growth performances,digestive enzyme activities and gut histomorphology of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmusSauvage, 1878) juveniles

The influence of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, gut histomorphology and gut microflora were evaluated in juveniles striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). Five experimental diets were formulated by supplementing 0, 10³, 10⁵, 10⁷ and 10⁹ CFU/g L. acidophilus in fishmeal and casein‐based semi‐purified diet. Triplicate groups of striped catfish (21.69 ± 0.18 g) were stocked in 15 fiberglass tanks with stocking density of 25 individuals per tank and fed twice daily at 2.5% of the fish body weight for 12 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and the protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed with 10⁵ and 10⁷CFU/g L. acidophilussupplemented diets compared with the other treatment groups. Compared with the control and fish fed low (10³ CFU/g) L. acidophilus supplementation, those fed with 10⁵ and 10⁷ CFU/g had significantly higher (p < 0.05) apparent protein digestibility. Inclusion of L. acidophilus at 10⁷ CFU/g diet significantly increased amylase, protease and lipase activities. Microscopic analysis showed that the villi length in both the anterior and posterior gut and microvilli length in the posterior gut increased significantly in fish fed L. acidophilus supplementation at 10⁵ and 10⁷ CFU/g of diet. The fish fed L. acidophilus supplemented diets significantly increased the total lactic acid bacteria counts in the gut of striped catfish compared with the control‐fed group. Based on gut histomorphology and growth performance, inclusion of L. acidophilus at 10⁵ CFU/g appears to have the most positive effect on striped catfish farming.     

Effect of probiotics on digestive enzyme activities and growth of cichlids,Etroplus suratensis (Pearl spot) and Oreochromis mossambicus (Tilapia)

In aquaculture, exposure to stressful conditions and problems related to diseases often occur resulting in serious economic loss. The use of probiotics that control pathogens through different mechanisms, aiding digestion by exoenzyme supply and establishment of beneficial microflora in the digestive tract has got increased attention recently. Two different bacterial species Micrococcus MCCB 104 and Bacillus MCCB 101 were tested as probiotics for two cichlid species Etroplus suratensis and Oreochromis mossambicus. The strains were administered separately and together, at a rate of 10³ CFU animal^?1 day^?1 for 28 days. The effects on digestive enzyme activity and growth were compared with those fed on control diet. FCR of E. suratensis was high in case of Bacillus alone as well as the mixed culture (Micrococcus and Bacillus together) than that of control. However, the SGR of E. suratensis was slightly lower than that of control during 14 days trial. SGR of both the treatments (Bacillus alone and mixed culture) was higher than that of the control on 28th day, and this might be due to the reason that specific duration is needed for the assimilation and conversion of nutrients into proteins. The intestinal digestive hydrolases of E. suratensis were profoundly enhanced mainly by Bacillus and mixed cultures. The hepatopancreatic versions of major digestive enzymes in E. suratensis were influenced variously by different probiotic treatments. The alpha‐amylase activity of hepatopancreas has been elevated significantly by mixed culture during 14 days experiments while on 28 days trials both Bacillus and mixed culture showed an enhancing effect. During 14 days feeding trials, the intestinal lipase activity has been prominently enhanced by all probiotic treatments. It is found that, in O. mossambicus, both 14 days and 28 days feeding experiments, the pepsin as well as intestinal digestive enzymes such as amylase, total alkaline protease, lipase and their hepatopancreatic counter parts showed a significant elevation in their specific activity. Intestinal alpha‐amylase and total alkaline proteases of O. mossambicus showed an increase in specific activities on both 14 days and 28 days feeding experiments with the Bacillus and Micrococcus combination. The hepatopancreatic enzymes were highly influenced by the Bacillus species in O. mossambicus. The results of this study suggest that live probiotic microorganisms such as Micrococcus MCCB 104 and Bacillus MCCB 101 may be incorporated while formulating the cost‐effective, nutritionally balanced diet of E. suratensis and O. mossambicus for better growth performance and nutrient utilization.     

Effects of Lactobacillus pentosus on the growth performance,digestive enzyme and disease resistance of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from digestive tract of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Eighteen LAB colonies were isolated and one bacterium was found capable of producing three extracellular enzymes (protease, cellulose and lipase) simultaneously and exhibited antagonistic activity against shrimp pathogens (Vibrio vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). The putative probiotic strain AS13 was identified as Lactobacillus pentosus based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The L. vannamei were fed diet containing 0 (control), 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ CFU g^?1 bacterial cells of AS13 for 28 days. The results showed that supplementation of L. pentosus significantly improved the growth performance and feed utilization in the treated groups over the control. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were elevated in the intestines of treated groups. Moreover, feeding of supplemented diets containing AS13 significantly reduced the mortality rate caused by pathogenic Vibrio species (V. vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). Our results indicated L. pentosus AS13 addition at 10⁷ CFU g^?1 can effectively enhance the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzymes and disease resistance of L. vannamei in the laboratory condition.     

Effects of a mix of Bacillus sp. as a potential probiotic for Florida pompano,common snook and red drum larvae performances and digestive enzyme activities

This study examined the effect of a commercial mix of Bacillus sp. on survival, growth and digestive enzyme activities of Florida pompano, red drum and common snook. Larvae were fed either live feed enriched with Algamac 3050 (Control), Algamac 3050 and probiotics (PB), or the previous diet combined with a daily addition of probiotics to the tank water (PB+). Survival was not affected by the treatments for any of the species. At the end of the pompano and snook trial, standard lengths of larvae from the PB and PB+ treatments were significantly greater than for the control larvae. Microbiological analyses were performed at the end of the pompano trial, and numbers of presumptive Vibrio were not a concern in the system. For both pompano and snook, trypsin‐specific activity was higher in PB and PB+ larvae compared with the control larvae. Similarly, alkaline phosphatase activity was higher for the pompano larvae fed the PB and PB+ treatments and for the snook larvae fed the PB+ treatment compared with the control larvae. This experiment suggests that a mix of Bacillus sp. can promote growth through an early maturation of the digestive system during the early larval stages of pompano and snook.     

Effects of dietary protein levels on the activity of the digestive enzyme of albino and normal Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

We evaluated the effects of different proportions of dietary protein (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% protein) on the activity of digestive enzymes of normal and albino Apostichopus japonicus. The experimental diets were fed for 60 days, the optimal conditions for digestive enzyme activity in sea cucumbers were studied. The optimal temperature for protease was 29.3°C and the optimal pH was 1.8. The optimal temperature for amylase was 34.3°C and the optimal pH was 6.7. The optimal temperature for cellulase was 56°C and the optimal pH was 5.9. The activity of intestinal protease increased at first and then decreased as the proportion of dietary protein increased, reaching the maximum when the proportion of protein was 19.7%. The activity of protease in the intestine of normal sea cucumber was significantly lower than that of albino sea cucumber, and the activity of amylase was significantly higher than that of albino sea cucumber. This study is expected to provide a basis for further explaining the ecological difference of albino and normal A. japonicus.     

Ontogenic changes in the digestive enzyme activities and the effect of different starvation duration on the digestive enzyme activities of larval red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

This study was performed to determine the effect of starvation and delayed feeding on activities of digestive enzymes and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of larval red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), so as to reveal the tolerance to prolonged starvation and the recovery of digestive enzymes after delayed feeding in larval and juvenile P. clarkii. In the control group, activities of trypsin and ALP increased significantly (p < .05) with day‐age and then kept constant at 24 days after hatching (DAH) and 10 DAH, respectively, whereas the activities of amylase and pepsin increased firstly then decreased with day‐age, and the activity of lipase increased firstly then decreased and then increased again during the development period of juvenile P. clarkii (1–31 DAH). In the group with continuous starvation (CS), activities of pepsin and lipase both decreased (p < .05) after fasting, and the activities of pepsin, lipase and trypsin in the groups with delayed feeding all increased (p < .05) and recover to the levels of the control group after food supply. However, the activity of amylase increased (p < .05) in the CS group, and it decreased to normal level after food supply. The ALP activity did not significantly (p > .05) vary after starvation, whereas it decreased in the groups with delayed feeding after 1 day of food supply, and then increased back to the level similar with the control group. Results from this study could provide information for diet preparation and feeding regime in larval and juvenile red swamp crayfish culture.     

Effects of dietary vitamin C and vitamin E on the growth,antioxidant defence and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile discus fish (Symphysodon haraldi)

A 56‐day experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin C and vitamin E on the growth, antioxidant status and digestive enzyme activities of discus fish (Symphysodon haraldi; initial body weight: 7.96 ± 0.61 g and body length: 5.45 ± 0.65 cm). Animals were fed with 13 different diets including one control diet and 12 treatment diets containing four levels of vitamin C (magnesium‐L‐ascorbyl‐2‐phosphate; 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg) crossed with three levels of vitamin E (DL‐α‐tocopheryl acetate; 40, 80 and 120 mg/kg). The results showed that the fish fed diets containing additional vitamin C (40 mg/kg) and vitamin E (80 mg/kg) showed higher specific growth rate, length growth rate, total antioxidant capacity and protease activity but had lower feed conversion ratio and total superoxide dismutase activity than those fed the control diet. Collectively, these findings suggest that the inclusion of additional 40 mg/kg of vitamin C and 80 mg/kg of vitamin E in the basal diet could have beneficial effect on the growth, antioxidant defence and digestion of S. haraldi.     

Replacement of fish oil with a DHA‐rich Schizochytrium meal on growth performance,activities of digestive enzyme and fatty acid profile of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary fish oil with Schizochytrium meal for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae (initial body weight 4.21 ± 0.10 mg). Six test microdiets were formulated using Schizochytrium meal to replace 0 g/kg, 250 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 750 g/kg, 1000 g/kg or 1500 g/kg fish oil DHA. No significant differences were observed in survival, growth, final body length and activities of digestive enzyme among shrimp fed different diets (p > .05). No significant differences were observed in C20:5n‐3 (EPA) in muscle samples (p > .05). C18:3n‐3 and C20:4n‐6 in muscle increased as Schizochytrium meal replacement level increased (p < .05). No significant differences were observed in C22:6n‐3 (DHA) and n‐3 fatty acids among shrimp fed diets that algae meal replaced 0 g/kg ‐ 1000 g/kg of fish oil. Shrimp fed diet R150 had higher DHA content than other groups and had higher n‐3 fatty acids than that of shrimp fed diets R50, R75 and R100 (p < .05). C18:2n‐6, PUFA and n‐6 fatty acids in muscle increased, while n‐3/n‐6 ratio decreased with increasing algae meal replacement level from 0 g/kg to 1000 g/kg (p < .05). In conclusion, Schizochytrium meal could replace 1500 g/kg fish oil DHA in the microdiets without negatively affecting shrimp larvae survival, growth and activities of digestive enzyme.     

Phosphorus requirement of Catla (Catla catla Hamilton) fingerlings based on growth, whole-body phosphorus concentration and non-faecal phosphorus excretion

A 120‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary requirement of phosphorus for Indian major carp, catla (Catla catla) fingerlings. Four hundred and eighty fingerlings (mean body weight: 4.23±0.87 g) were randomly distributed among eight treatment groups with three replicates each. Eight isonitrogenous and isocaloric semi‐purified diets (crude protein: 35% and crude lipid: 8.5%) were formulated with graded levels of phosphorus using KH₂PO₄ (T₁: control, 0.1%; T₂: 0.3%; T₃: 0.5%; T₄: 0.7%; T₅: 0.9%; T₆: 1.1%; T₇: 1.3%; T₈: 1.5%) and fed to the respective groups. Twenty fish were stocked in 150 L plastic tanks and fed to apparent satiation twice a day. Specific growth rate (SGR) significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing dietary phosphorus concentration from 0.73% to 1.27%, after which there was a slight decline in growth at 1.1% available phosphorus (aP) and remained constant thereafter. The quadratic broken‐line model based on growth was Y=317.5?581(0.64?x) (0.64?x); R²=0.73. Moisture and crude protein contents of whole body were similar among all the treatments. However, the ether extract in T₁ group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all the other treatments. The whole‐body phosphorus content increased significantly (P<0.05) with an increase in phosphorus in the diets. The one‐slope broken‐line model based on whole‐body phosphorus concentration was Y=4.07?1.63 (0.71?x); R²=0.48. The one‐slope broken‐line model for non‐faecal phosphorus excretion as inorganic phosphorus (Pi) for 24 h revealed a trend of Y=12.67+73.96 (x?0.6); R²=0.81. Minimum aP requirements based on weight gain (%), whole‐body phosphorus content and phosphorus excretion were 0.64%, 0.71% and 0.6%, respectively. Hence, the dietary aP requirement of catla fingerlings ranges from 0.6% to 0.71%.     

Effects of dietary cellulase addition on growth performance,nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile crucian carp Carassius auratus

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary cellulase addition on improving the nutritive value of Chlorella for juvenile crucian carp Carassius auratus (initial body weight: 2.99 ± 0.02 g, mean ± SEM). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g kg^?1 cellulase, respectively. Each experimental diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups with 25 juvenile fish per fibreglass tank for 8 weeks. The results showed that weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake and the trypsin activity in the anterior intestine increased with increasing dietary cellulase to 1.5 g kg^?1 and then declined with further addition. However, the mRNA expression levels of Mrf4 and Myf5, the apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter, protein, energy and the majority of amino acids, and the activity of lipase in the anterior intestine were highest in fish fed the 1.0 g kg^?1 cellulase diet, and then tended to decline with further cellulase supplementation. In conclusion, the optimal dietary cellulase supplementation level was 1.0–1.5 g kg^?1, which can improve growth performance, digestive activities and nutrient digestibility in crucian carp.