White spot syndrome virus epizootic in cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in Taiwan

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has caused significant losses in shrimp farms worldwide. Between 2004 and 2006, Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were collected from 220 farms in Taiwan to determine the prevalence and impact of WSSV infection on the shrimp farm industry. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis detected WSSV in shrimp from 26% of farms. Juvenile shrimp farms had the highest infection levels (38%; 19/50 farms) and brooder shrimp farms had the lowest (5%; one of 20 farms). The average extent of infection at each farm was as follows for WSSV‐positive farms: post‐larvae farms, 71%; juvenile farms, 61%; subadult farms, 62%; adult farms, 49%; and brooder farms, 40%. Characteristic white spots, hypertrophied nuclei and basophilic viral inclusion bodies were found in the epithelia of gills and tail fans, appendages, cephalothorax and hepatopancreas, and virions of WSSV were observed. Of shrimp that had WSSV lesions, 100% had lesions on the cephalothorax, 96% in gills and tail fans, 91% on appendages and 17% in the hepatopancreas. WSSV was also detected in copepoda and crustaceans from the shrimp farms. Sequence comparison using the pms146 gene fragment of WSSV showed that isolates from the farms had 99.7–100% nucleotide sequence identity with four strains in the GenBank database – China ( AF332093 ), Taiwan ( AF440570 and U50923 ) and Thailand ( AF369029 ). This is the first broad study of WSSV infection in L. vannamei in Taiwan.     

Genetic variation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) culture of Thailand

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is highly pathogenic to penaeid shrimp and has caused significant economic losses in the shrimp farming industry in Thailand. Genotyping analysis was done in 124 WSSV isolates from cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. These samples were obtained during 2007–2014 from eight provinces in Thailand. We investigated five variable loci in the virus genome: deletions in two variable regions, VR14/15 and VR23/24, and three variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) located in open reading frame (ORF) 75, 125 and 94. WSSV genotype was characterized as (X_14/15, X_23/24) (N₇₅‐N₁₂₅‐N₉₄) where X is the number of base pair deletion in the variable region and N is the number of repeat units (RUs) in a specific ORF. The deletion pattern in VR14/15 and VR23/24 regions characterized three WSSV genotypes. The most prevalent genotype was (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24), and it was found in all studied areas. At least 33 genotypes of WSSV were analysed based on 3 VNTR loci, indicating that the VNTRs of WSSV genome are highly variable. From 124 WSSV samples, two samples presented the characteristic of all five variable loci similar to WSSV collected during 2010 in Saudi Arabia (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24) (3₇₅‐6₁₂₅‐7₉₄). Many different WSSV genotypes shown in this study as compared to previously reported genotypes in Thailand suggests current status of disease epidemiology, as well as probable movements of WSSV between countries.     

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection and immunity responses in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) exposed to sublethal levels of metals

To determine if exposure to a sublethal mixture of metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) increases susceptibility to White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles were fed WSSV‐infected shrimp tissues after 21 days of exposure to the metal mixture (WS‐MM treatment). Other treatments consisted of shrimp not exposed to metals and fed infected tissues (WS), and shrimp fed healthy tissues and exposed (MM) or not exposed to metals (C). The presence of viral DNA and inclusion bodies was detected at 32 hr postinfection (hpi) in the stomach epithelium of shrimp from the WS treatment, and eight hours later in shrimp from the WS‐MM treatment, possibly because of an initial negative effect of metals in viral replication. At 40 hpi, the severity of infection represented by the histopathological index increased in both WS and WS‐MM treatments, and values were higher in WS‐MM than in WS shrimp at the end of the experiment. From 56 hpi to the end of experiment, total hemocyte counts were lower in both WS‐MM and WS treatments, and concentrations were particularly low in WS‐MM shrimp. Conversely, phenoloxidase activity was higher in the WS‐MM treatment from 32 to 56 hpi, suggesting a possible role of the prophenoloxidase (proPO) system in the antiviral defense against WSSV. The presence of heavy metals at sublethal concentrations may increase shrimp susceptibility to WSSV; this is supported by a decrease in circulating hemocytes, an increase in the humoral response, and the development of a higher number of WSSV inclusion bodies.     

Proteome modifications of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) muscle under biofloc system

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of biofloc technology on the muscle proteome of Litopenaeus vannamei. Two biofloc treatments and one control were compared: biofloc‐based tanks under zero‐water exchange fed with 150 g/kg crude protein (BF15), or with 250 g/kg crude protein (BF25) diets, and clear water tanks with 50% of daily water exchange stocked with shrimp fed with similar amount of a 250 g/kg crude protein diet, referred to as control. The shrimp (5.28 ± 0.42 g) were divided into the 300‐L fibreglass tanks (water volume of 200 L) at a density of 35 shrimp per tank and were cultured for 35 days. The biofloc groups displayed better growth and survival compared to the control. The muscle tissue from the control and BF25 groups was subjected to proteomic analysis. Lactate dehydrogenase, enolase, arginine kinase, mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit alpha, mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor factor 1 precursor, serpin 3 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 had an increased abundance in the BF25 group, while myosin heavy chain type 1 and myosin heavy chain type 2 showed a decreased abundance. The results indicate that biofloc technology could alter the expression of proteins involved in structure, metabolism and immune status of cultured shrimp.     

Effect of bioflocs on growth and immune activity of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae

The bioflocs technology (BFT) for shrimp production has been proposed as a sustainable practice capable of reducing environmental impacts and preventing pathogen introduction. The microbial community associated with BFT not only detoxifies nutrients, but also can improve feed utilization and animal growth. Biofloc system contains abundant number of bacteria of which cell wall consists of various components such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and β‐1, 3‐glucans, and is known as stimulating nonspecific immune activity of shrimp. Bioflocs, therefore, are assumed to enhance shrimp immunity because they consume the bioflocs as additional food source. Although there are benefits for having an in situ microbial community in BFT systems, better understanding on these microorganisms, in particular molecular level, is needed. A fourteen‐day culture trial was conducted with postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei in the presence and absence of bioflocs. To determine mRNA expression levels of shrimp, we selected six genes (prophenoloxidase1, prophenoloxidase2, prophenoloxidase activation enzyme, serine proteinase1, masquerade‐like proteinase, and ras‐related nuclear protein) which are involved in a series of responses known as the prophenoloxidase (proPO) cascade, one of the major innate immune responses in crustaceans. Significant differences in shrimp survival and final body weights were found between the clear water and in the biofloc treatments. mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the biofloc treatment than the clear water control. These results suggest that the presence of bioflocs in the culture medium gives positive effect on growth and immune‐related genes expression in L.vannamei postlarvae.     

Silencing Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei LvRab7 reduces mortality in brooders challenged with white spot syndrome virus

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a major threat for farmed shrimp worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) is the most recent tool against viral diseases. Rab7 silencing effectively inhibited virus infections in juvenile shrimp, but the antiviral effect in brooders remains unknown. This study found a homologue Penaeus monodon Rab7 gene in Litopenaeus vannamei brooders from Mexico. Sequence identity was >99% to a Thai LvRab7 sequence and >94% to Rab7 sequences from P. monodon or Marsupenaeus japonicus. Animals treated with a partial (494 bp) or a complete (618 bp) LvRab7 dsRNA sequences and challenged 48 h post treatment (hpt) with a high WSSV dose showed 80–88% mortality respectively. Shrimp treated with 4 or 20 μg LvRab7 dsRNA and challenged with a WSSV high dose had 80% mortality each, but it was reduced to 33% and 40%, respectively, with a low dose. Efficacy of dsRNA to reduce shrimp mortality was dependent on virus dose used regardless of dsRNA concentration. A significant reduction in LvRab7 mRNA levels was observed at 120 hpt. In conclusion, silencing LvRab7 in brooders showed a mild antiviral effect against a WSSV challenge at 48 hpt.     

Apparent digestibility of animal,plant and microbial ingredients for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

A digestibility trial was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein, energy and amino acids of animal, plant and microbial ingredients for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The tested ingredients included traditional soybean meal (TSBM), PepsoyGen soybean meal (PSBM), NutriVance soybean meal (NSBM), fish meal (FM), poultry meal (PM), squid hydrolysis (SQH), scallop hydrolysis (SCH), flash dried yeast (FDY), two batches of Ulva meal (UMF and UMS) and bacteria biomass (BB). A basal diet was formulated and produced along with the experimental diets which included 300 g/kg of each ingredient and 700 g/kg of the basal diet. Juvenile shrimp (initial mean weight: 12 g, six shrimp/tank, n = 3) were stocked in a recirculation system. Apparent dry matter, protein and energy digestibility coefficients ranged from ?40.11% to 78.51%, 15.17% to 97.03% and 13.33% to 82.56% among different protein sources, respectively. In general, protein and energy digestibilities in soy sources (77.6% to 97.03% and 62.77% to 82.56%, respectively) are higher than the tested animal protein (51.39% to 71.41% and 45.29% to 69.77%, respectively) and single‐cell protein sources (15.17% to 53.47% and 13.33% to 40.39%, respectively). Among the three soybean sources, TSBM showed highest protein and energy digestibility. Apparent individual amino acid digestibility coefficients were also variable among different types of ingredients, and there was a reasonable correspondence to protein digestibility. The most digestible feed ingredients for Pacific white shrimp in this study were conventional soybean meal (SBM) and NutriVance soybean meal (NSBM), which indicated that these ingredients are good protein and amino acid sources for Pacific white shrimp. Resultant digestibility data may provide useful information to commercial shrimp feed industry.     

Efficacy of crystalline methionine and microencapsulation methionine in diets for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of crystalline methionine (C‐Met) or microencapsulated methionine (M‐Met) in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A high fishmeal reference diet was formulated with 15% fishmeal, and then, soybean meal (SBM) was used to replace 50% fishmeal as a low fishmeal basal diet (7.5% fishmeal). Graded levels (0.1%, 0.15% and 0.2%) of methionine originating from C‐Met or M‐Met were added to the basal diet. Each diet was randomly assigned to three tanks (40 shrimps per tank) in an indoor flow through seawater system. The results showed that the shrimp fed the basal diet with 0.15% or 0.20% methionine originating from 0.375% or 0.5% M‐Met had significantly higher final weight and weight gain as compared to shrimp fed the basal diet. The supplementation M‐Met in the basal diets resulted in increased serum ammonia in shrimp. Hepatopancreas amylase activity of shrimp showed a decreasing trend with increasing methionine supplementation, which is in contrast with the upswing trend in trypsin at pancreatic segment. This study indicated that the diets supplemented with 0.15% or 0.20% of methionine from M‐Met (0.58% or 0.65% of dietary methionine respectively) were effective in improving the nutritional value of SBM‐based diets deficient in methionine (0.48%) for the Pacific white shrimp.     

Quantitative dietary leucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared in low‐salinity water

The experiment was conducted to determine the leucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low‐salinity water (0.50–1.20 g L^?1). Six diets were formulated to contain 410 g kg^?1 crude protein with fish meal, peanut meal and precoated crystalline amino acids with different concentration of l ‐leucine (16.72, 19.60, 22.06, 24.79, 27.28 and 30.16 g kg^?1 dry diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.38 ± 0.002 g), and the feed trial lasted for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the maximum weight gain was observed at 24.95 g kg^?1 dietary leucine group, whereas the diets containing higher leucine concentration conversely reduced the growth performance (P < 0.05). Moreover, the highest body protein content and body protein deposition and the lowest haemolymph AST and ALT activities were also found at 24.95 g kg^?1 dietary leucine group. With the increase in leucine in diets, a dose‐dependent increase was found in body lipid content and haemolymph urea concentration. The polynomial regression calculated using weight gain, feed efficiency and body protein deposition indicated that the optimal dietary leucine requirement for L. vannamei reared in low‐salinity water was 23.73 g kg^?1 leucine of dry diet, correspondingly 57.88 g kg^?1 of dietary protein.     

Evaluation of Schizochytrium meal in microdiets of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary Schizochytrium meal supplementation on survival, growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes and fatty acid composition in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) larvae (initial body weight 4.21 ± 0.10 mg). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of Schizochytrium meal: 0% (S0, the control diet), 2% (S2), 4% (S4) and 6% dry matter (S6). Results showed that there was no significant difference in survival of shrimps among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Shrimps fed diets with 2% and 4% microalgae meal had significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) than that of shrimps fed diets with 0% and 6% microalgae meal, and no significant differences were observed between shrimps fed diets with 2% and 4% microalgae meal (P > 0.05). Activity of trypsin in the pancreatic and intestinal segments, and activity of amylase in the pancreatic segments were not significantly affected by dietary microalgae meal levels (P > 0.05). Specific activities of both alkaline phosphatase and leucine‐aminopeptidase in intestine and purified brush border membrane of intestine were significantly higher in shrimps fed diet with 2% microalgae meal (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in C18:2n‐6, n‐3 fatty acids, n‐6fatty acids, PUFA and n‐3/n‐6 in muscle samples among dietary treatments. C16:1n‐7, C18:1n‐9, MUFA, C18:3n‐3 and C20:5n‐3 decreased, however, C20:4n‐6 increased in the muscle as dietary microalgae meal level increased. In conclusion, 4% Schizochytrium meal in microdiets of shrimps can improve growth performance and may be a valuable additive in the microdiets of shrimps.     

Cholesterol requirement and phytosterols efficiency in semi‐purified diets of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Studies pertaining to cholesterol requirement are limited based on the levels evaluated and statistical analysis. Two trials were conducted to refine cholesterol requirement in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei feeds. The basal diet was supplemented with graded levels of cholesterol (ranging from 0.48 to 1.85 g/kg) in trial 1. Since the shrimp (initial weight: 0.24 g) growth response was very linear without reaching a plateau, it was not clear whether the requirement was met. Hence, a second trial was designed using eight diets designed with an increased range of cholesterol levels from 0.45 to 4.57 g/kg of diets. The shrimp (0.38 g initial weight) reached a final weight of (4.31–7.43 g) or per cent weight gain from 1,014%–1,874% (n = 4) after 6 weeks. Saturation kinetic model and broken‐line models with linear or quadratic ascending portions were used to evaluate dose–response relationships of feed efficiency (FE), thermal‐unit growth coefficient (TGC), whole‐body cholesterol (CHOL) and cholesterol deposition (CHOLD) against dietary cholesterol. The cholesterol requirement of shrimp was estimated at 1.9 (1.1–4.3) g/kg, 1.7 (1.1–3.4) g/kg, 2.5 (2.3–2.9) g/kg and 2.7 (2.4–3.1) g/kg of shrimp diet for FE, TGC, CHOL and CHOLD, respectively. Additionally, based on improved growth, the inclusion of phytosterol can serve as a partial replacement for cholesterol.     

Dietary thiamin could improve growth performance,feed utilization and non‐specific immune response for juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

This study evaluated the effect of dietary thiamin on growth performance, feed utilization and non‐specific immune response for juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets were formulated with graded thiamin levels of 6.9, 32.7, 54.2, 78.1, 145.1 and 301.5 mg kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 juvenile shrimp and provided four times each day to apparent satiation. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the shrimp were significantly influenced by the dietary thiamin levels, the maximal WG and SGR occurred at 54.2 mg kg^?1 dietary thiamin level. However, with further increase in dietary thiamin level from 54.2 to 301.5 mg kg^?1, the WG and SGR significantly decreased. Shrimp fed the 54.2 mg kg^?1 thiamin diet exhibited higher feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and protein productive value than those fed the other diets. Dry matter and protein content in whole body were significantly affected by the dietary thiamin levels. Thiamin concentration in hepatopancreas significantly increased when the dietary thiamin level increased from 6.9 to 145.1 mg kg^?1. The total protein, glucose, triacylglycerol and cholesterol contents in hemolymph were not significantly affected by the dietary thiamin levels. Dietary thiamin had significantly influenced superoxide dismutase, catalase and lysozyme activities in hemolymph. Results of this study indicated that the optimal dietary thiamin requirements estimated using a two‐slope broken‐line model based on WG and thiamin concentration in hepatopancreas were 44.66 and 152.83 mg kg^?1, respectively.     

Acute toxicity of nitrite on white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles in low‐salinity water

The nitrite toxicity was estimated in juveniles of L. vannamei. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC₅₀ of nitrite‐N on juveniles were 8.1, 7.9, 6.8 and 5.7 mg L^?1 at 0.6 g L^?1; 14.4, 9.6 8.3 and 7.0 mg L^?1 at 1.0 g L^?1; 19.4, 15.4, 13.4 and 12.4 mg L^?1 at 2.0 g L^?1 of salinity respectively. The tolerance of juveniles to nitrite decreased at 96 h of exposure by 18.6% and 54.0%, when salinity declined from 1.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 and from 2.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 respectively. The safe concentrations at salinities of 0.6, 1.0 and 2.0 g L^?1 were 0.28, 0.35 and 0.62 mg L^?1 nitrite‐N respectively. The relationship between LC₅₀ (mg L^?1), salinity (S) (g L^?1) and exposure time (T) (h) was LC₅₀ = 8.4688 + 5.6764S – 0.0762T for salinities from 0.6 to 2.0 g L^?1 and for exposure times from 24 to 96 h; the relationship between survival (%) and nitrite‐N concentration (C) for salinity of 0.6–2.0 g L^?1, nitrite‐N concentrations of 0–40 mg L^?1 and exposure times from 0 to 96 h was as follows: survival (%) = 0.8442 + 0.1909S – 0.0038T – 0.0277C + 0.0008ST + 0.0001CT–0.0029SC, and the tentative equation for predicting the 96‐h LC₅₀ to salinities from 0.6 to 35 g L^?1 in L. vannamei juveniles (3.9–4.4 g) was 96‐h LC₅₀ = 0.2127 S² + 1.558S + 5.9868. For nitrite toxicity, it is shown that a small change in salinity of waters from 2.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 is more critical for L. vannamei than when wider differences in salinity occur in brackish and marine waters (15–35 g L^?1).     

Evaluation of dried fermented biomass as a feed ingredient in plant‐based practical diets for juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Two growth trials were designed to evaluate the utilization of dried fermented biomass (DFB) in commercial type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. In trial 1, four experimental diets were formulated to utilize increasing levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 g/kg) of spray‐dried fermented biomass (SDFB) as a replacement of fish meal (FM). Results indicated that SDFB can be utilized up to 50 g/kg as a substitution for FM without causing growth depression in shrimp. However, dietary SDFB supplementation at 100 g/kg significantly reduced the weight gain (WG) of shrimp and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR). This reduction in performance is likely due to palatability or nutrient imbalances of the feed. In trial 2, nine experimental diets were formulated with increasing levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 120 g/kg) of spray‐dried (S) or granular (G) DFB to replace soy protein concentrate (SPC) or SPC + corn protein concentrate (CPC). This allowed the comparison between spray‐dried and ring‐dried products. Ring drying produced a granular product, reducing dust and increasing product particle size. Shrimp fed with diet containing 20 g/kg GDFB performed the best in terms of final mean weight, WG and FCR. Significantly reduced growth and increased FCR were observed in shrimp fed diets containing 60 and 120 g/kg SDFB. Lipid content of whole body was significantly reduced when GDFB was incorporated at 120 g/kg. No significant differences were detected in survival, protein retention efficiency as well as protein and ash contents of the whole shrimp. Results from analysis of covariance indicated that the processing method (covariant) had a significant effect on final mean weight, WG and FCR. In general, shrimp fed with diet containing granular product performed better as compared to those fed with diets utilizing spray‐dried product. GDFB can be utilized in the diets up to 120 g/kg in practical shrimp feeds as a substitute for SPC and CPC without compromising the growth of shrimp. However, a significant reduction in WG was observed in the diets containing 60 and 120 g/kg SDFB. The results in the current study demonstrate that processing changes to produce a granular product produced an improved feed ingredient for shrimp.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with biofloc meal in the diet of postlarvae of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

This study evaluated the potential for the replacement of fishmeal (FM) by biofloc meal (BM) in the diet of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. Four isonitrogenous (437.42 g kg^?1) and isocaloric (19.84 kJ g^?1) diets were formulated, in which FM was replaced with BM at 0% (T0), 7.5% (T7.5), 15% (T15) and 30% (T30). A commercial diet (CD) was used as reference. The study was conducted over 42 days in 50 L tanks connected to a water recirculation system. All tanks were stocked with three postlarvae (initial weight 0.0023 g) per litre. Shrimp survival, weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were measured. Survival rates were high (>91.1%) in all treatments. As the T30 treatment returned a significantly (<0.05) better performance in WG, FW, SGR and PER than all other treatments, partial replacement of FM with BM does not appear to affect productivity. In fact, a regression analysis indicated that a FM to BM replacement level of over 20% may actually improve shrimp growth. In addition to providing a cost‐effective alternative ingredient for L. vannamei postlarvae diets, the production of meal also represents a more sustainable way of disposing of the excess of biofloc produced by BFT systems.     

Feed management for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under semi‐intensive conditions in tanks and ponds

To improve feed management strategies for the semi‐intensive culture of Litopenaeus vannamei, outdoor tank and pond trials were conducted. In the tank trial, shrimp (35 shrimp/m², n = 4) were offered feed for 6 weeks based on a standard feeding protocol (SFP, designed as T100) with five variations (T80:90:100, T90, T90:100, T100:110, T110) of this protocol produced by varying the feed inputs and expressing the treatments as a percentage. Results demonstrated no significant differences in survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among treatments. The mean final weight and final biomass in the treatments T100:110 and T110 were significantly higher than those in treatment T90 but were not different from the other treatments. In the pond trial, juvenile shrimp (28 shrimp/m², n = 4) were stocked into twelve 0.1‐ha ponds over a 16‐week period. Three feeding protocols were evaluated including a SFP, a 10% reduction in the SFP (SFP:90), and a variable feed input (SFP:80:90:100), which included 80% SFP at week 4th–8th, 90% SFP from week 9th–12th and 100% SFP for week 12th–16th. There were no significant differences in growth performance and economic return among treatments. Based on previous studies, in which higher feed inputs were evaluated, and results of this study, it does not appear to be economically beneficial to use high feed inputs. Instead, feed input could be either applied at a standard ration to optimize growth and economic return or at restricted rations to reduce FCR (feed cost) albeit at the expense of some growth.     

Dietary nucleotide‐rich yeast supplementation improves growth,innate immunity and intestinal morphology of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary nucleotide (NT)‐rich yeast supplementation on growth, innate immunity and intestinal morphology in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 10, 30 and 50 g/kg of NT‐rich yeast, respectively. A total of 480 shrimp with an average initial body weight of 1.86 ± 0.02 g were randomly allocated into four groups, with four replicates per group and 30 shrimp each replicate. The results indicated that shrimp fed the diet containing 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast had significantly higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) than those fed the control diet, and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in the shrimp fed the 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast supplemental diet. However, there was no significant difference in survival among all treatments. The crude protein of whole shrimp in the 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast group was higher than that in the control group. Total protein, triglyceride concentrations, the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum were significantly influenced by the dietary NT‐rich yeast supplementation. The activities of serum phenoloxidase (PO) and lysozyme (LZM) of shrimp fed the diet containing 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast were higher than those in shrimp fed the other diets. Relative expressions of alp and lzm significantly upregulated in the 30 g/kg NT‐rich yeast group compared to the control group. The intestinal fold height and fold width in the 30 g/kg NT‐rich yeast group were significantly higher than those fed the control diet; and the highest microvillus height occurred in the shrimp fed the 50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast diet. In summary, dietary 30–50 g/kg NT‐rich yeast supplementation promotes growth performance, enhances innate immunity and improves intestinal morphology of Litopenaeus vannamei.