中草药复合微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力的影响

通过在饲料中分别添加2×107 CFU/g的芽孢杆菌制剂、中草药芽孢杆菌制剂、复合微生态制剂和中草药复合微生态制剂,研究4种微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力等的影响。结果显示：(1)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂均可显著提高罗非鱼的增重率(P<0.05),对成活率和饲料利用率也有一定程度的提高(P>0.05),而中草药复合微生态制剂对罗非鱼促进生长效果最佳。(2)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂可以显著提高罗非鱼肠道中的细菌总数、芽孢杆菌、乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数量(P<0.05),大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),说明饲料中添加一定量的4种微生态制均可改善罗非鱼的肠道菌群结构,以中草药复合微生态制剂的改善效果最佳。(3)经人工感染无乳链球菌后,罗非鱼对照组全部死亡,4个实验组只有部分死亡。鉴定发现,吉富罗非鱼的死亡均由感染无乳链球菌所致,试验组罗非鱼的免疫保护率分别为51.42%(B组)、58.62%(C组)、58.62%(D组)和68.93%(E组),以中草药复合微生态制剂组的免疫保护率最高。综上所述,在饲料中添加一定比例的中草药复合微生态制剂可以提高吉富罗非鱼生长指标、改善其肠道菌群结构和增加抗病力。     

中草药复合微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力的影响

通过在饲料中分别添加2×10~7 CFU/g的芽孢杆菌制剂、中草药芽孢杆菌制剂、复合微生态制剂和中草药复合微生态制剂,研究4种微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力等的影响。结果显示:(1)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂均可显著提高罗非鱼的增重率(P0.05),对成活率和饲料利用率也有一定程度的提高(P0.05),而中草药复合微生态制剂对罗非鱼促进生长效果最佳。(2)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂可以显著提高罗非鱼肠道中的细菌总数、芽孢杆菌、乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数量(P0.05),大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P0.05),说明饲料中添加一定量的4种微生态制均可改善罗非鱼的肠道菌群结构,以中草药复合微生态制剂的改善效果最佳。(3)经人工感染无乳链球菌后,罗非鱼对照组全部死亡,4个实验组只有部分死亡。鉴定发现,吉富罗非鱼的死亡均由感染无乳链球菌所致,试验组罗非鱼的免疫保护率分别为51.42%(B组)、58.62%(C组)、58.62%(D组)和68.93%(E组),以中草药复合微生态制剂组的免疫保护率最高。综上所述,在饲料中添加一定比例的中草药复合微生态制剂可以提高吉富罗非鱼生长指标、改善其肠道菌群结构和增加抗病力。     

饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对吉富罗非鱼生长、组织生化指标和非特异性免疫相关酶的影响

为研究饲料中添加谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)对吉富罗非鱼(GIFT)生长性能、组织生化指标和非特异性免疫相关酶活性的影响,实验选用720尾体质量为(3.27±0.04)g的罗非鱼,随机分为6组,分别投喂基础饲料(对照组)和5种添加80、160、240、320和400 mg/kg GSH的试验饲料,养殖期为7周。结果显示,与对照组相比,320 mg/kg组罗非鱼的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、蛋白质沉积率(PDR)和肝脏RNA/DNA比值分别显著升高,饲料系数显著降低;各添加组罗非鱼肝体比高于对照组,但差异不显著。160～320mg/kg组罗非鱼粗蛋白和240～300 mg/kg组粗脂肪含量显著高于对照组,均在240 mg/kg组达到最高值。320 mg/kg组血清尿素氮(UN)含量与对照组相比显著降低。160～400mg/kg组血清和肝脏类胰岛素生长因子Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)显著高于对照组和80 mg/kg组。240～400 mg/kg组血清溶菌酶(LZM)、320～400 mg/kg组肝脏LZM活性分别显著高于其它各组;与对照组相比,320 mg/kg组血清一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)活性显著升高;各添加组血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和酚氧化酶(PO)、肝脏AKP、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和NOS活性均高于对照组,但差异不显著。结果表明,饲料中添加一定量的谷胱甘肽能显著提高吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的生长性能,提高全鱼粗蛋白与粗脂肪含量、血清和肝脏IGF-Ⅰ水平以及非特异性免疫相关酶活性。以增重率为评价指标,计算出吉富罗非鱼幼鱼饲料中谷胱甘肽的最适添加量为355.13 mg/kg。     

饲料中添加水飞蓟素对吉富罗非鱼生长性能、肝脏脂肪代谢酶和抗氧化能力的影响

为评估饲料中添加水飞蓟素对吉富罗非鱼生长性能、肝脏脂肪代谢酶和抗氧化能力的影响,分别在5组等氮等能的吉富罗非鱼饲料中添加不同水平的水飞蓟素[0(对照组)、100、200、400和800 mg/kg],饲喂初始体质量为(8.17±0.31)g的吉富罗非鱼幼鱼9周,测定实验鱼的生长性能、血清生化指标、肝脏脂肪代谢酶活性及抗氧化酶活性。结果显示,随饲料中水飞蓟素添加水平增加,吉富罗非鱼终末体质量、增重率、特定生长率和肥满度均呈先增加后降低的趋势,各指标均在100mg/kg实验组达到最大,100mg/kg实验组的饲料系数显著低于对照组。饲料中添加水飞蓟素显著降低了实验鱼肝体比和脏体比。100mg/kg实验组全鱼、肌肉和肝脏的粗脂肪含量显著低于对照组。血清谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性随水飞蓟素水平增加呈先降低后升高的趋势,分别在200和100 mg/kg实验组达到最低,两组之间无显著性差异。饲料中添加水飞蓟素后,血清中的甘油三酯含量显著低于对照组;肝脏中的脂蛋白脂酶和总酯酶活性显著高于对照组;肝脏脂肪酶活性呈先上升后降低趋势,在200 mg/kg实验组最高,且与对照组有显著性差异。饲料中添加水飞蓟素后,肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著高于对照组,肝脏过氧化氢酶活性显著低于对照组;肝脏丙二醛含量显著低于对照组。100 mg/kg实验组罗非鱼的肝细胞界限清晰,无核偏移,空泡较少。研究表明,饲料中添加适量水飞蓟素提高了吉富罗非鱼生长性能,调节了肝脏脂肪代谢酶活性和抗氧化能力,对防治肝脏细胞损伤有积极作用。在本实验条件下,推荐吉富罗非鱼幼鱼饲料中水飞蓟素添加水平为100 mg/kg。     

壳寡糖对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能、前肠组织结构及肠道主要菌群的影响

选用初始体质量(3.02±0.16) g的吉富罗非鱼幼鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)450尾,随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每重复30尾实验鱼,分别饲喂添加壳寡糖质量分数为0.00%(对照组)、0.10%、0.30%、0.50%和0.70%的饲料8周,考查壳寡糖对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能、前肠组织结构及肠道主要菌群的影响.结果表明,在生长性能方面,添加0.30%、0.50%和0.70%壳寡糖组增重率分别较对照组显著提高12.53%、16.17%和9.47%(P<0.05);添加壳寡糖各组较对照组饲料系数显著降低,饲料干物质和蛋白质的表观消化率均显著升高(P<0.05).在肠道组织结构方面,与对照组相比,添加0.30%和0.50%壳寡糖组的幼鱼前肠绒毛长度显著增加了18.02%和23.21%,宽度显著增加了45.21%和54.06%,密度显著增加了15.18%和19.37%(P<0.05);添加0.30%、0.50%和0.70%壳寡糖组的幼鱼肠壁厚度较对照组分别减少了16.41%、19.96%和15.00%(P<0.05).在肠道主要菌群方面,各壳寡糖添加组大肠杆菌数量均显著降低,乳酸杆菌数量显著增加(P<0.05).上述结果表明,吉富罗非鱼幼鱼饲料中添加壳寡糖可提高其生长性能,并改善肠道内环境,推荐适宜添加量为0.30%~0.50%.     

维生素E和硒对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)幼鱼生长及血清抗氧化酶活性的影响

本研究采用2×5双因子试验设计,即在基础饲料中分别添加0和0.15 mg/kg的Se,每一Se水平下分别添加0、30、60、90、120 mg/kg的维生素E(VE),共制成10种试验饲料,饲喂平均初始体质量为(0.37±0.01)g的吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)70 d,每组设3个重复,每个重复组50尾吉富罗非鱼,其中饲喂未添加Se和VE的基础饲料组为对照组。结果表明,(1)VE对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、摄食量和饲料系数均有显著影响(P0.05),就生长性能而言,单独添加VE的适宜范围是63.86–70.58 mg/kg。Se对吉富罗非鱼的增重率、特定生长率的影响不显著(P0.05),但在VE添加量为0 mg/kg的试验组中,硒的添加使吉富罗非鱼增重率高于对照组。VE和Se对吉富罗非鱼生长的交互作用没有显著影响(P0.05)。(2)VE对谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性有显著影响(P0.05),总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和CAT活性随VE添加量的增加呈上升趋势。而Se可显著影响T-SOD和GSH-PX的活性(P0.05),在VE添加量范围60–90 mg/kg时,加Se试验组的T-SOD、GSH-PX和CAT活性较不加Se组有所上升。VE和Se对GSH-PX活性的影响具有显著的交互作用(P0.05)。在本研究条件下,VE和Se对吉富罗非鱼的生长及抗氧化有一定促进作用,二者联合使用,没有协同促生长作用,但抗氧化作用得到进一步加强。     

饲料中添加L-肉碱对吉富罗非鱼生长、肝脏脂肪代谢及抗氧化能力的影响

分别在3组等氮等能的吉富罗非鱼(GIFT,Oreochromis niloticus)饲料中添加不同水平的L-肉碱[0(对照组)、150和300 mg/kg],试验选用初始体重为(8.21±0.33)g的幼鱼投喂9周,探讨L-肉碱对吉富罗非鱼生长、体成分、血清生化指标、肝脏脂肪代谢酶活性和抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明:添加150或300 mg/kg L-肉碱显著提高了罗非鱼增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR),显著降低了实验鱼肝体比(HSI)和脏体比(VSI);添加150 mg/kg L-肉碱组WGR和SGR最高,HSI和VSI最低。添加150 mg/kg L-肉碱显著提高了鱼体肥满度(CF)。饲料系数(FCR)和存活率(SR)在对照组和实验组间无显著差异。添加150或300 mg/kg L-肉碱显著提高了鱼体肝脏中粗蛋白含量,添加150 mg/kg L-肉碱显著降低了肝脏粗脂肪含量。添加150或300 mg/kg L-肉碱时,血清甘油三酯(TG)含量显著降低,肝脏脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)、肝脂酶(HL)、总酯酶(LPL)和脂肪酶(LPS)活性显著上升,肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性显著增加,肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著下降。添加300 mg/kg L-肉碱显著提高了鱼体肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和溶菌酶(LZM)活性。综上,饲料中添加适量L-肉碱对提高吉富罗非鱼生长性能,促进其脂肪代谢和提高鱼体抗氧化能力有良好效果。基于L-肉碱对罗非鱼增重率和特定生长率的影响,推荐L-肉碱在吉富罗非鱼饲料中的添加量为150 mg/kg。     

维生素E和硒对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)幼鱼生长及血清抗氧化酶活性的影响

本研究采用2×5双因子试验设计,即在基础饲料中分别添加0和0.15 mg/kg的Se,每一Se水平下分别添加0、30、60、90、120 mg/kg的维生素E(VE),共制成10种试验饲料,饲喂平均初始体质量为(0.37±0.01)g的吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)70 d,每组设3个重复,每个重复组50尾吉富罗非鱼,其中饲喂未添加Se和VE的基础饲料组为对照组。结果表明,(1)VE对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、摄食量和饲料系数均有显著影响(P0.05),就生长性能而言,单独添加VE的适宜范围是63.86–70.58 mg/kg。Se对吉富罗非鱼的增重率、特定生长率的影响不显著(P0.05),但在VE添加量为0 mg/kg的试验组中,硒的添加使吉富罗非鱼增重率高于对照组。VE和Se对吉富罗非鱼生长的交互作用没有显著影响(P0.05)。(2)VE对谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性有显著影响(P0.05),总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和CAT活性随VE添加量的增加呈上升趋势。而Se可显著影响T-SOD和GSH-PX的活性(P0.05),在VE添加量范围60–90 mg/kg时,加Se试验组的T-SOD、GSH-PX和CAT活性较不加Se组有所上升。VE和Se对GSH-PX活性的影响具有显著的交互作用(P0.05)。在本研究条件下,VE和Se对吉富罗非鱼的生长及抗氧化有一定促进作用,二者联合使用,没有协同促生长作用,但抗氧化作用得到进一步加强。     

饲料中添加3种不同投入品对筏式浅海网箱刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)养殖生长的影响

以刺参的存活率、增重率、特定生长率和肠道蛋白酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶及肠道组织结构变化为评价指标,通过42 d的养殖实验,研究了在基础饲料(空白组)中添加20%生物胶为粘合剂制备粘性饲料(粘性饲料对照组),通过添加浒苔干粉(浒苔组)、微生态制剂(微生态制剂组)、中草药(中草药组)3种投入品对浅海筏式网箱养殖刺参生理及生长的影响。结果显示,在散失率方面,粘性饲料比空白组饲料散失率降低33.42%,添加浒苔干粉、微生态制剂、中草药对饲料散失率的影响差异不显著(P0.05);在生长方面,中草药组的增重率和特定生长率均为最高,分别达到(41.50±1.39)%和(0.82±0.02)%/d,显著高于其他4个实验组;在存活率方面,微生态制剂组和中草药组的存活率显著高于空白组和粘性饲料对照组。其中,中草药组存活率最高,达到(94.03±2.28)%;在消化酶活性方面,浒苔组、微生态制剂组和中草药组的淀粉酶活性分别在第10、20、30天达到峰值,峰值分别为(1.70±0.05)、(1.60±0.04)、(1.77±0.04)U/mg prot;粘性饲料对照组的蛋白酶活性波动最大,其活性在第10天达到峰值为(1.78±0.09)U/mg prot;空白组、粘性饲料对照组和浒苔组的纤维素酶活性均呈现先升高后降低的趋势,在实验周期内中草药组的纤维素酶活性表现为持续上升,而微生态制剂组刺参的纤维素酶活性表现出先下降后上升的趋势,最低值为(0.14±0.01)μg/g·min;肠道组织结构方面,粘性饲料对照组的肠道黏膜上皮层厚度显著增加(P0.05),浒苔组的肌肉层厚度显著增加(P0.05),中草药组和微生态制剂组刺参肠道组织结构完整,上皮细胞分泌旺盛。研究表明,通过添加生物胶所制作的粘性饲料可显著降低饲料散失率,添加微生态制剂和中草药可显著提高网箱养殖刺参的成活率,并显著提高刺参个体的消化酶活力和增重率,添加浒苔对刺参生长影响不显著。     

饲料中添加3种不同投入品对筏式浅海网箱刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)养殖生长的影响

以刺参的存活率、增重率、特定生长率和肠道蛋白酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶及肠道组织结构变化为评价指标,通过42 d的养殖实验,研究了在基础饲料(空白组)中添加20%生物胶为粘合剂制备粘性饲料(粘性饲料对照组),通过添加浒苔干粉(浒苔组)、微生态制剂(微生态制剂组)、中草药(中草药组) 3种投入品对浅海筏式网箱养殖刺参生理及生长的影响。结果显示,在散失率方面,粘性饲料比空白组饲料散失率降低33.42%,添加浒苔干粉、微生态制剂、中草药对饲料散失率的影响差异不显著(P>0.05);在生长方面,中草药组的增重率和特定生长率均为最高,分别达到(41.50±1.39)%和(0.82±0.02)%/d,显著高于其他4个实验组;在存活率方面,微生态制剂组和中草药组的存活率显著高于空白组和粘性饲料对照组。其中,中草药组存活率最高,达到(94.03±2.28)%;在消化酶活性方面,浒苔组、微生态制剂组和中草药组的淀粉酶活性分别在第10、20、30天达到峰值,峰值分别为(1.70±0.05)、(1.60±0.04)、(1.77±0.04) U/mg prot;粘性饲料对照组的蛋白酶活性波动最大,其活性在第10天达到峰值为(1.78±0.09) U/mg prot;空白组、粘性饲料对照组和浒苔组的纤维素酶活性均呈现先升高后降低的趋势,在实验周期内中草药组的纤维素酶活性表现为持续上升,而微生态制剂组刺参的纤维素酶活性表现出先下降后上升的趋势,最低值为(0.14±0.01) μg/g·min;肠道组织结构方面,粘性饲料对照组的肠道黏膜上皮层厚度显著增加(P<0.05),浒苔组的肌肉层厚度显著增加(P<0.05),中草药组和微生态制剂组刺参肠道组织结构完整,上皮细胞分泌旺盛。研究表明,通过添加生物胶所制作的粘性饲料可显著降低饲料散失率,添加微生态制剂和中草药可显著提高网箱养殖刺参的成活率,并显著提高刺参个体的消化酶活力和增重率,添加浒苔对刺参生长影响不显著。     

L-苹果酸对吉富罗非鱼肠道结构功能及肝脏TCA循环效率的影响

实验选取体质量为(37.94±0.09)g吉富罗非鱼幼鱼420尾,随机分为7个处理(每个处理3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼),分别饲喂添加0(对照)、1.0、2.0、4.0、8.0、16.0和32.0 g/kg L-苹果酸的饲料,进行为期154 d的生长实验,研究L-苹果酸对罗非鱼肠道组织结构和功能及肝脏TCA循环效率的影响。结果发现,随着L-苹果酸水平的增加,前肠和中肠绒毛高度、密度、肌层厚度均在16.0 g/kg组达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P0.05);后肠绒毛高度、密度和肌层厚度逐渐降低(P0.05)。肠道淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均在1.0 g/kg组达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P0.05);肠道蛋白酶、肝脏ATP含量随着L-苹果酸水平的增加逐渐升高(P0.05);肠Na+-K+-ATP酶活力、肠表皮生长因子(EGF)和肠表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)含量在16.0 g/kg组达到最高值;肝脏柠檬酸合酶活力在8.0 g/kg到达最大值。研究表明吉富罗非鱼饲料中适量添加L-苹果酸(1.0~8.0 g/kg),能改善罗非鱼前肠和中肠的形态结构,促进肠粘膜上皮细胞的增殖,提高肠消化和吸收能力,同时提高肝脏TCA循环效率。     

Effect of Garlic,Echinacea, Organic Green and Vet-Yeast on Survival,Weight Gain,and Bacterial Challenge of Overwintered Nile Tilapia Fry (Orechromis niloticus)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of some immunostimulants and probiotics on the survival rate, final weight, and disease resistance of overwintered tilapia fry. There were five treatments: T1 (control) fed a balanced diet (35% protein) without additives. Treatments 2 to 5 were fed diets supplemented with 4% garlic, 4 g/kg Echinacea, 4 g/kg Organic Green or 4 g/kg Vet-Yeast, respectively. Growth and resistance to disease challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas flourescens were not different among treatments, but survival of overwintered fry increased in treatments fed probiotics or immunostimulents. The use of garlic in overwintering feeds could allow hatchery operators to increase their prices for fry and fish farmers to stock production ponds earlier, increasing hatchery revenues by 74% and improving land use efficiency and productivity for the Egyptian aquaculture industry.     

Growth, Survival and Feed Conversion Rates of Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Cultured in Earthen Brackish Water Ponds Fed Different Feed Types

Sparus aurata were cultured during an 8-month period in brackish water (salinity about 25 ppt) in an extensive culture system comprising eight earthen ponds, each with a water surface of 2.1 ha. Initial mean wet weight of fish in all ponds varied from 13.6 ± 1.9 to 19.2 ± 2.6 g/fish. The eight ponds were randomly allocated one of four experimental treatments (two ponds/treatment). In the first treatment, ponds were fertilized monthly with 100 kg urea and 50 kg triple super phosphate. The other treatments (2–4) were fed a locally produced tilapia pellet feed containing 25% crude protein made using different processes. Fish in the second treatment were fed tilapia feed pelleted by compressing machine, whereas in treatments 3 and 4 the pellets were produced by extruder machine (Wenger). Pellets in treatment 3 were floating and in the fourth were semi-sinking. Fish were fed pellets twice daily at 6% of their biomass. The mean final body weight for each treatment respectively was 104.6, 118.9, 156.8 and 158 g. Specific growth rate (SGR) of 0.8, 0.79, 0.99 and 0.95%/day, were obtained in ponds using only inorganic fertilizer, compressed sinking pellets, extruded floating pellets and extruded semi-sinking pellets, respectively. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) for treatments with the extruded tilapia pellets were 2.2 and 2.6 g feed/g gain, which were significantly (P < 0.05) better than treatments with compressed pellets (3.2 g feed/g gain). Production/ha/year were 1389, 1358, 945 and 682 kg fish for the groups fed with extruded floating, extruded semi-sinking, compressed and natural food, respectively. Under the present experimental circumstances, Sparus aurata fed extruded floating tilapia pellets (25% crude protein and 2,600 kcal/g), showed the best productive performance.     

Effects of Cu-exchanged montmorillonite on growth performance, microbial ecology and intestinal morphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A total of 360 Nile tilapia at an average initial body weight of 3.9 g were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, each of which had three replicates of 30 fish/tank and used to investigate the effects of Cu²⁺-exchanged montmorillonite (Cu-MMT) on growth performance, microbial ecology of the skin, gill and intestine, and intestinal morphology. The dietary treatments were: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet + 1.5 g/kg MMT, 3) basal diet + 30 mg/kg copper as CuSO₄ (equivalent to the copper in the Cu-MMT treatment group), or 4) basal diet + 1.5 g/kg Cu-MMT. The results showed that supplementation with Cu-MMT significantly improved growth performance as compared to control and fish fed with Cu-MMT had higher growth performance than those fed with MMT or CuSO₄. Supplementation with Cu-MMT reduced (P < 0.05) the total intestinal aerobic bacterial counts and affected the composition of intestinal microflora with a tendency of Aeromonas, Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, Alcaligence, Enterobacteriaceae decreasing as compared with control. Measurements of villus and microvillus heights at different sites of the intestinal mucosa indicated that dietary addition of MMT or Cu-MMT improved intestinal mucosal morphology. However, the microbial ecology of the skin and gill was not affected by the addition of CuSO₄, MMT or Cu-MMT. Supplementation with CuSO₄ had no (P > 0.05) effect on the growth performance, microbial ecology and intestinal morphology. The results showed that Cu-MMT exhibited antibacterial activity in vivo and protected intestinal mucosa from invasion of pathogenic bacterium and toxins, resulting in a positive effect on the growth performance.     

益倍康对刺参生长、消化和免疫相关指标的影响

以刺参为试验对象,在其基础饲料中分别添加1、5、10、20g/kg的微生态制剂益倍康,进行60d的饲养试验,研究益倍康对刺参生长、消化和免疫功能的影响。结果表明,益倍康具有一定的促长作用,20g/kg组的特定生长率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。益倍康对提高刺参消化酶活性、免疫功能具有积极作用,其中20g/kg组的淀粉酶、蛋白酶活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05);5g/kg组的淀粉酶、蛋白酶、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)等活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);统计分析表明,5g/kg为益倍康最适添加量。     

Effect of autochthonous and commercial probiotic bacteria on growth,persistence, immunity and disease resistance in juvenile and adult Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Probiotics are gaining worldwide acceptance as means to improve growth and health of fish. However, the type of probiotic, dose, duration and mode of the application, age and size of the fish are among the factors involved in determining the efficacy of the applied probiotic. In this study, two trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding three probiotics on growth, feed conversion (FCR) and gross yield (GY) in juvenile (28.3 g) and adult (93.4 g) tilapia compared to a control probiotic‐free diet (CON). In the first trial, an autochthonous Bacillus subtilis isolated from the gut of cultured tilapia (TPI), a commercial Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic (COM1) and a combination of both (MIX1) were tested. In the second trial, the same treatments were tested in adults (101.8 g) only with the replacement of COM1 with another commercial probiotic (COM2) consisting of four bacterial species. Results showed that in juveniles, the MIX1 treatment had the highest (P < 0.05) mean weight (MWT), daily growth rate (DGR), specific growth rate (SGR), GY and best FCR, followed by the TPI and the COM1 treatments. Growth in adults was not affected by probiotics and was depressed by COM1. In the second trial, the COM2 treatment had the highest (P < 0.05) MWT, DGR, SGR, GY and best FCR, followed by the MIX2 and the TPI treatments. These results indicate the positive effect of the probiotics on growth and the synergetic effect of mixing more than two bacteria. The TPI had the highest gut colonization and retention after 15 days of withdrawing the probiotics followed by the MIX1 and MIX2 treatments. The COM1 and COM2 showed no proliferation. Generally, probiotics improved the immunity with the TPI causing the highest improvement. Tilapia fed with the TPI, MIX1 and MIX2 bacteria, then challenged by injecting the LD₅₀ dose (10^4.86 cfu per fish) of the pathogenic Proteus vulgaris bacterium had a higher relative percentage of survival than the COM1, and COM2 treatments. Results obtained in this study indicate the higher potential of the autochthonous probiotic bacteria and the mixture of bacteria in enhancing growth, immunity and disease resistance in tilapia than the commercial products and a tendency of fish size discrepancy in the response to probiotics.     

Optimizing diets to decrease environmental impact of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production

Aquaculture is one of the most thriving animal production sectors, and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming represents 8% of total finfish culture. However, the industry sustainability depends on the development of cost‐effective and environmental friendly feeds. This study aimed to reduce dietary protein levels in diets for juvenile tilapia and to minimize diet environmental impact while maximizing biological efficiency. A growth trial was performed using five isoenergetic plant protein‐based diets with decreasing levels of crude protein: 360, 340, 320, 300 and 280 g/kg diet (D360, D340, D320, D300 and D280, respectively). Dietary protein utilization was assessed by metabolic trials using a radiolabelled amino acid mixture. Tilapia in all treatments showed similar growth performance and feed intake. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in fish fed the D280 than the D360 diet, while no differences were found for other treatments. Protein retention was significantly higher in tilapia fed the D300 than the D360 diet. Amino acid catabolism increased in fish fed the D360 diet, though without significant differences in muscle amino acid retention. This study demonstrates that dietary protein levels can be reduced to 300 g/kg diet without hindering tilapia growth and feed conversion ratio, while reducing environmental nitrogen losses.     

Preliminary study to evaluate the effects of dietary bile acids on growth performance and lipid metabolism of juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed plant ingredient‐based diets

A 9‐week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary bile acids (BAs) on juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) (Oreochromis niloticus) based on the evaluations of growth performance and parameters relevant to lipid metabolism. Each of five vegetable protein‐based diets containing BAs at a level of 0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.45 or 1.35 g/kg diet was fed to three replicates with 40 fish (8.2 g per fish). The results showed that weight gain (WG) increased significantly with the increase in BAs from 0 to 0.15 g/kg diet and then decreased significantly at a higher BA supplementation. Dietary BAs significantly reduced the crude lipid content in the whole body, muscle and liver tissue of GIFT. Fish fed diet with 1.35 g BAs/kg diet developed serious nuclear migration and vacuolization in hepatocytes. Gall bladder appeared to contain white solid and has fragile capsules. Dietary BA supplementation had significant effects on serum biochemical indices and activities of lipid metabolism enzymes in liver and intestine. In conclusion, dietary bile acid supplementation (0.15 g/kg) can facilitate the lipid metabolism and therefore promote the growth of tilapia. However, overdosed dietary BAs induced gallstone development, disrupted lipid metabolism and depressed the growth performances of GIFT.     

Effect of Dietary Ginseng Herb (Ginsana® G115) Supplementation on Growth, Feed Utilization, and Hematological Indices of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), Fingerlings

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary ginseng herb (Ginsana^® G115) supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, and hematological indices of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fingerlings. A total of 378 Nile tilapia fingerlings with an average body weight of 24.4 ± 0.2 g were divided in the six experimental treatments (three replicates each). The experiment was conducted for 17 wk. Six isonitrogenous, 27.2% digestible protein and isocaloric, 12.3 MJ/kg digestible energy experimental diets were formulated. The control diet had no Ginsana G115 added. Diets 2–6 each contained Ginsana G115 at levels of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg, respectively. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of Nile tilapia were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in all treatments receiving Ginsana G115‐supplemented diets than the control diet. Red blood cells counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased with increasing dietary Ginsana G115 levels compared to those of the control diet. The same trend was observed for total plasma protein and total plasma globulin levels. The results of present study suggested that Nile tilapia fingerlings fed diets containing at least 200 mg/kg Ginsana G115 for 17 wk had enhanced growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and hematological indices.