饲料牛磺酸对尼罗罗非鱼生长、体成分及组织游离氨基酸含量的影响

本文探讨了饲料牛磺酸水平对尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分及游离氨基酸含量的影响。选用体重为5.89±0.03g的罗非鱼300尾,随机分为5个处理组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复20尾。在基础饲料中分别添加0、0.4%、0.8%、1.2%、1.6%的牛磺酸,配制成5种试验料,分别饲喂不同处理组的罗非鱼,饲养周期为56d。结果表明： 0.8%牛磺酸组罗非鱼增重率最高,且显著高于0%和1.6%组(P<0.05);饲料牛磺酸水平(0.4%-1.2%)显著提高了罗非鱼摄食率、肝脏指数和内脏指数,显著降低了饲料系数(P<0.05)。随着饲料牛磺酸水平的提高,鱼体粗蛋白质和粗脂肪含量随之升高,鱼体水分和粗灰分含量随之降低(P<0.05);以增重率为指标,通过二次曲线回归分析得出罗非鱼饲料牛磺酸最适需要量为0.75%。罗非鱼血清、肝脏、肌肉和全鱼中牛磺酸含量与饲料牛磺酸含量存在正相关关系,且牛磺酸添加组血清、肝脏、肌肉和全鱼牛磺酸含量显著高于对照组相(P<0.05)。罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中游离氨基酸含量随饲料牛磺酸含量的增加均呈逐渐下降的趋势,且牛磺酸添加组肝脏和肌肉中游离氨基酸含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。     

斜带石斑鱼牛磺酸转运蛋白基因的克隆及饲料牛磺酸含量对其表达的影响

牛磺酸转运蛋白(Taurine transporter,TauT)是牛磺酸跨膜转运的重要载体,在鱼类的生长、代谢及性成熟过程中发挥重要作用。本文采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,克隆体质量(12.85±0.46)g的斜带石斑鱼Epinephelus coioides TauT cDNA蛋白质编码区序列。结果表明:斜带石斑鱼TauT cDNA蛋白质编码区为1 881bp,编码626个氨基酸,分子量为70 126.80Da,与已克隆的其他鱼类的同源性很高,而与鸟类和哺乳动物的同源性较低。在水温(27±2)℃下,给斜带石斑鱼投喂含牛磺酸0%、0.5%、1%和1.5%的饲料28d后,用Realtime PCR法检测不同组织中TauT mRNA的相对表达量,结果表明:TauT mRNA在所测的各组织中均有表达,但肝脏、心脏、脑表达水平最高,肾脏、鳃、脾脏次之,肠道、肌肉、脂肪组织最低。牛磺酸添加组中组织TauT mRNA的表达量均高于对照组,1.0%和1.5%两组间差异不明显,但均高于0.5%组。饲料中添加牛磺酸能促进斜带石斑鱼组织中TauT mRNA的表达。     

牛磺酸及相关氨基酸对鲈鱼(Lateolabrax japonicus)幼鱼生长及组织氨基酸含量的影响

以平均体重为(8.13±0.05)g的鲈鱼(Lateolabrax japonicus)幼鱼为研究对象,探讨了在低鱼粉饲料中添加牛磺酸、蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸对鲈鱼幼鱼生长及鱼体氨基酸组成的影响.分别在基础饲料中添加0(对照组T-0)、1.0％牛磺酸(T-1)、2.0％牛磺酸(T-2)、0.5％蛋氨酸(M-0.5)和0.5％半胱氨酸(C-0.5)制成5种等氮等脂的实验饲料,在室内流水养殖系统中进行为期70 d的养殖实验.结果显示,T-1、T-2、M-0.5和C-0.5组鲈鱼幼鱼的终末体重、特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)和摄食率(FI)均显著高于T-0组(P＜0.05);饲料中添加牛磺酸、蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸均可提高鱼体粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量(P＜0.05),鱼体水分含量则呈现出相反的变化趋势;T-I、T-2组肝脏、肌肉中的牛磺酸含量显著高于T-0组(P＜0.05),但M-0.5、C-0.5组肝脏、肌肉中牛磺酸含量与T-0组无显著差异(P＞0.05);T-1、T-2和C-0.5组肝脏的必需氨基酸及总氨基酸含量均高于T-0组(P＜0.05),但M-0.5组肝脏必需氨基酸及总氨基酸含量与T-0组无显著差异(P＞0.05);T-1、T-2、M-0.5和C-0.5组肌肉的必需氨基酸含量均高于T-0组,但只有M-0.5组显著高于T-0组(P＜0.05);T-1、T-2和M-0.5组肌肉的总氨基酸含量高于T-0组(P＜0.05),C-0.5组与T-0组无显著差异(P＞0.05).研究表明,饲料中添加牛磺酸、蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸均可提高鲈鱼幼鱼的生长,同时可以改善鲈鱼肝脏和肌肉中的氨基酸沉积.     

牛磺酸对花鲈生长性能、消化酶活性、抗氧化能力及免疫指标的影响

采用牛磺酸添加量分别为0(N0)、0.4%(N1)、0.8%(N2)、1.2%(N3)和1.6%(N4)的5组试验饲料,投喂均质量(7.2±0.07)g的花鲈(Lateolabrax maculatus)56 d,研究其对花鲈生长、消化酶活性、抗氧化能力及免疫指标的影响。结果显示,牛磺酸可提高花鲈的特定生长率、增重率和摄食率,其中N2、N3和N4组均显著大于对照组(P<0.05);牛磺酸可显著提高全鱼的粗蛋白含量并降低粗脂肪含量(P<0.05);牛磺酸可显著提高花鲈肠道蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性(P<0.05);牛磺酸添加组的红细胞和白细胞数均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),N2、N3和N4组的血红蛋白浓度显著高于对照组(P<0.05);牛磺酸添加组的溶菌酶活性、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)和补体4(C4)浓度显著高于对照组(P<0.05);牛磺酸可显著提高花鲈肝脏总抗氧化能力、过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P<0.05),显著降低丙二醛浓度(P<0.05)。线性回归分析结果表明,以增重率为目标,花鲈对牛磺酸的最适需求量为0.85%。     

运动强度对斜带石斑鱼生长、非特异性免疫和肝脏抗氧化能力的影响

为探讨有氧运动强度对斜带石斑鱼(Epinephelus coioides)生长、血液非特异性免疫机能和肝脏抗氧化能力的影响,本研究将斜带石斑鱼放置在4个运动强度(对照组0 bl/s、实验组0.5 bl/s、实验组1.0 bl/s和实验组2.0 bl/s)中进行8周的训练实验。结果表明,1.0 bl/s运动强度对斜带石斑鱼的特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)和成活率(SR)有显著提高作用(P0.05)。血清中总蛋白(TP)、球蛋白(GLB)、补体C3含量和溶菌酶(LYZ)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性随运动强度的增加先上升后下降,其中1.0 bl/s组显著高于其他组(P0.05),而血清谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性先下降后上升,其中1.0 bl/s组显著低于其他组(P0.05),白蛋白(ALB)和补体C4含量无显著性差异(P0.05)。肝脏总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性随运动强度的增加也呈现先增加后降低的趋势,在1.0 bl/s组中活性显著高于其他组(P0.05)。8周运动训练对肝脏HSP70mRNA表达水平有显著影响,1.0 bl/s组显著高于其他组(P0.05)。总之,1.0 bl/s运动强度可提高斜带石斑鱼幼鱼的生长速度、增强血液非特异性免疫功能和肝脏抗氧化能力,上调HSP70 mRNA表达水平。     

低鱼粉饲料中补充蛋氨酸、胆汁酸、牛磺酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹生长、饲料利用及抗氧化能力的影响

在低鱼粉(15%鱼粉,LFM)饲料中,分别添加0.5%蛋氨酸、0.5%或1.0%胆汁酸盐、0.5%或1.0%牛磺酸(记为0.5%Met、0.5%Bile、1.0%Bile、0.5%Tau、1.0%Tau)配制5种等氮等能的饲料为5个实验处理组,以全鱼粉组(64.4%鱼粉,FM)和低鱼粉组(15%鱼粉,LFM)为对照,投喂中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹[(0.26±0.02)g]8周。结果表明:1)与LFM相比,0.5%Met组增重率和特定生长率显著提高,且各处理组的饲料系数显著降低;FM组蛋白质效率最高,与0.5%Met组、1.0%Bile组、0.5%Tau组、1.0%Tau组均无显著性差异。各组的全蟹体组成差异不明显,仅0.5%Met组的脂肪含量显著高于1.0%Bile和1.0%Tau组。2)LFM组肝胰腺和肠道中的淀粉酶活性最高,FM组最低;肝胰腺总蛋白酶的活性FM组最高,其次是0.5%Met组,两者均显著高于其它各组;FM组和0.5%Met组的肠总蛋白酶活性最高,0.5%Bile组次之;0.5%Met组的肝胰腺和肠道脂肪酶活性最高,1.0%Tau组的肝胰腺、LFM组的肠道脂肪酶活性最低。3)LFM组丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于FM组和各处理组;FM组的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化氢(CAT)酶活性均显著高于其它组,其中LFM组活性最低。结果显示,补充0.5%Met促进了幼蟹的肝胰腺和肠道总蛋白酶和脂肪酶的分泌,显著提高幼蟹的生长和抗氧化性能;添加0.5%、1.0%Bile可有效提高幼蟹肝胰腺、肠道的总蛋白酶和脂肪酶活力,降低饲料系数;而补充0.5%、1.0%Tau均能显著提高幼蟹肝胰腺和肠道消化酶活力和抗氧化能力。补充胆汁酸和牛磺酸未能有效促进生长可能与饲料中的限制性氨基酸不足有关。     

牛磺酸及相关氨基酸对鲈鱼(Lateolabrax japonicus)幼鱼生长及组织氨基酸含量的影响

以平均体重为(8.13±0.05)g的鲈鱼(Lateolabrax japonicus)幼鱼为研究对象,探讨了在低鱼粉饲料中添加牛磺酸、蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸对鲈鱼幼鱼生长及鱼体氨基酸组成的影响。分别在基础饲料中添加0(对照组T-0)、1.0%牛磺酸(T-1)、2.0%牛磺酸(T-2)、0.5%蛋氨酸(M-0.5)和0.5%半胱氨酸(C-0.5)制成5种等氮等脂的实验饲料,在室内流水养殖系统中进行为期70 d的养殖实验。结果显示,T-1、T-2、M-0.5和C-0.5组鲈鱼幼鱼的终末体重、特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)和摄食率(FI)均显著高于T-0组(P0.05);饲料中添加牛磺酸、蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸均可提高鱼体粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量(P0.05),鱼体水分含量则呈现出相反的变化趋势;T-I、T-2组肝脏、肌肉中的牛磺酸含量显著高于T-0组(P0.05),但M-0.5、C-0.5组肝脏、肌肉中牛磺酸含量与T-0组无显著差异(P0.05);T-1、T-2和C-0.5组肝脏的必需氨基酸及总氨基酸含量均高于T-0组(P0.05),但M-0.5组肝脏必需氨基酸及总氨基酸含量与T-0组无显著差异(P0.05);T-1、T-2、M-0.5和C-0.5组肌肉的必需氨基酸含量均高于T-0组,但只有M-0.5组显著高于T-0组(P0.05);T-1、T-2和M-0.5组肌肉的总氨基酸含量高于T-0组(P0.05),C-0.5组与T-0组无显著差异(P0.05)。研究表明,饲料中添加牛磺酸、蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸均可提高鲈鱼幼鱼的生长,同时可以改善鲈鱼肝脏和肌肉中的氨基酸沉积。     

低鱼粉饲料中添加牛磺酸对青鱼幼鱼生长、肠道修复及抗急性拥挤胁迫的影响

为研究低鱼粉饲料中添加牛磺酸对青鱼幼鱼[初始质量(5.90±0.03)g]生长、肠道修复及抗急性拥挤胁迫的影响,实验以青鱼正常鱼粉组(20%)为对照组,10%鱼粉组为负对照组(I_0组),在低鱼粉饲料中分别添加0.05%(I_(0.05)组)、0.1%(I_(0.1)组)、0.2%(I_(0.2)组)、0.4%(I_(0.4)组)牛磺酸,配制6种等氮等脂饲料,饲养8周。饲养实验结束后,参考生长结果,选择对照组、I_0组、I_(0.1)组、I_(0.4)组进行急性拥挤胁迫实验。结果显示:①与对照组相比,I_0组增重率显著下降,随着低鱼粉饲料中牛磺酸水平的升高,青鱼幼鱼增重率呈先上升后下降趋势,当牛磺酸添加量为0.1%时与对照组差异不显著;②相对于对照组,I_0组的绒毛高度降低、隐窝深度增加,杯状细胞数降低,添加牛磺酸使绒毛高度升高、隐窝深度降低,杯状细胞数和淋巴细胞数增多;③急性拥挤胁迫使青鱼幼鱼血清史质醇、血糖、血清溶菌酶(LSZ)、补体C3、超氧物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量均呈先升高后下降的趋势,其最大值出现在胁迫2 h或者8 h。在整个胁迫期间,I_0组史质醇和血糖含量高于其他各饲料组,I_0组溶菌酶、补体C3、SOD和GSH均低于其他各饲料组。研究表明,在低鱼粉饲料中添加牛磺酸可提高青鱼生长性能、改善肠道结构、增强青鱼的抗急性拥挤胁迫的能力。     

牛磺酸对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)亲鱼繁殖性能及仔鱼质量的影响

研究了牛磺酸对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther)亲鱼繁殖性能、抗氧化功能、卵子及仔鱼质量的影响。在基础饲料中分别添加0、0.5%、1.5%的牛磺酸,配制3组(对照组T-0、T-0.5、T-1.5)等氮等脂的配合饲料,在室内流水养殖系统进行为期63 d的养殖实验。研究结果显示,在饲料中添加0.5%牛磺酸,不仅能够提高半滑舌鳎亲鱼的相对产卵量,还能促进亲鱼体内睾酮和雌二醇的分泌(P<0.05);T-0.5组浮卵率、受精率、孵化率、卵径、油球直径、3日龄、7日龄仔鱼体长均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),T-0.5组和T-1.5组仔鱼畸形率显著低于对照组(P<0.05);3个实验组仔鱼生存活力指数(SAI)无显著性差异(P>0.05);饲料中添加牛磺酸能够提高其肝脏和性腺中牛磺酸含量,降低肝脏中半胱胺双加氧酶活性;T-0.5组肝脏、血清、精巢、精液中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),性腺和卵子中丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究结果表明,饲料中添加牛磺酸能够提高半滑舌鳎亲鱼繁殖性能、抗氧化功能、卵子及仔鱼质量。在本研究条件下,牛磺酸含量为0.5%的饲料组为最佳饲料组。     

牛磺酸对红鳍东方鲀热应激转录调控机制的影响

为探究牛磺酸对红鳍东方鲀的热应激调控的影响,以初始体重为（32.28±0.20）g的红鳍东方鲀（Takifugu rubripes）作为研究对象,实验随机分为3组,每组设置3个重复,通过在低鱼粉饲料中分别添加3个水平的牛磺酸[0%（T1,对照）、1.0%（T2）和5.0%（T3）],配制3组实验饲料。养殖56 d后,水温（28±0.3）℃,急性热应激30 min,取肝脏。使用RNA-Seq测序技术对3组红鳍东方鲀肝脏转录组进行分析,并分别对3个转录组测序文库进行两两比较,设置显著差异基因筛选条件为P<0.05,共获得167个差异表达基因,其中上调基因111个,下调基因56个。GO功能分析发现,在T3vsT1组中,差异表达基因（DEGs）显著富集在蛋白质分解过程、丝氨酸型内肽酶活性、丝氨酸型肽酶活性、丝氨酸水解酶活性、内肽酶活性、L-氨基酸肽的肽酶活性和肽酶活性。KEGG富集分析发现,T2vsT1组中,这些DEGs主要参与细胞黏附分子、神经活性配体-受体相互作用通路;而T3vsT1组中,这些DEGs主要参与神经活性配体受体相互作用和代谢途径。选取3个显著差异表达基因进行实时荧光定量PCR（RT-qPCR）验证,结果证明,转录组测序分析可靠;饲料中添加牛磺酸后,在急性热胁迫条件下,红鳍东方鲀可通过细胞黏附分子和神经活性配体-受体相互作用通路调控机体对温度的响应;随着牛磺酸添加量的升高,红鳍东方鲀主要通过代谢调节、神经活性配体-受体相互作用通路调控机体对温度的响应。本研究旨为研究牛磺酸对红鳍东方鲀的热应激调控的影响和牛磺酸抗应激功能提供参考数据。     

Effect of graded levels of taurine on growth performance and Ptry expression in the tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) postlarvae

The effect of graded levels of dietary taurine on growth, enzyme activities and pretrypsinogen (Ptry) mRNA expression in the tongue sole postlarvae was evaluated in this study. Four microdiets supplemented with 0 (T0), 5 (T0.5), 10 (T1.0) or 20 (T2.0) g kg^?1 taurine were prepared. These diets were fed to the postlarvae with an average initial body dry weight of 3.32 ± 0.06 mg for 28 days. Survival and growth performance of the tongue sole postlarvae were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by dietary taurine. Survival rate of fish fed with 20 g kg^?1 dietary taurine was significantly lower than other treatments. The growth of fish initially increased with increasing dietary taurine level and then decreased. Postlarvae fed with 10 g kg^?1 dietary taurine showed the best growth performance. Trypsin activities showed a significant increase with increasing dietary taurine level and then reached a plateau, while amylase activities and alkaline phosphatase activities increased in the start with increasing dietary taurine and then decreased. Ptry mRNA expression was stimulated by dietary taurine. Excessive dietary taurine (20 g kg^?1) had adverse effects on survival, growth, digestive enzyme activities of the experimental fish. The suggested dietary taurine supplementation in microbound diets was 10 g kg^?1 for the tongue sole postlarvae.     

Effects of taurine levels in broodstock diet on reproductive performance of yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata

The effect of dietary taurine was investigated on reproductive performance in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata. Two-year-old fish of average body weight 6.1kg were fed on diets containing three levels of taurine (T-0, T-0.5 or T-1.0%) for 5 months prior to spawning. For spawning investigations, fish were induced to maturity by human chorionic gonadotrop in injection (600 IU/kg-fish) and artificially inseminated. Oocyte growth improved significantly (P<0.05) with the increase of dietary taurine. The collection of eggs from females reared on the T-0% diet was not successful. The success rate of spawning for females fed on T-0.5 and 1.0% diets was one out of six, and six out of seven, respectively. The taurine levels of the liver and serum in the T-0% diet group were much lower than that in the T-0.5 and T-1.0% diet groups (P<0.05). Fish fed the T-0% diet showed higher contents of serine in the liver and serum. The taurine content of the ovary was not significantly different among the different dietary treatments. These results indicate that taurine has a positive effect on the improvement of spawning performance of yellowtail.     

Optimal dietary taurine level for growth of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

The requirement for taurine in juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was determined by feeding diets containing various levels of taurine and cystine. Test diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of taurine or with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of L -cystine were prepared. The basal diet contained 55% protein from white fish meal. These diets were fed to juvenile Japanese flounder with an initial mean bodyweight of 0.9 g (total length (TL) 48 mm) for 5 weeks. Approximately 1.4% taurine content in the diet was required for optimum growth of juvenile flounder. A positive linear relationship was noted between the content of taurine accumulated in the muscle, liver and brain and the level of taurine in the diet. However, there was no increased taurine content in tissues of fish fed the cystine-supplemented diet. In contrast, the fish fed control and cystine-supplemented diets showed higher contents of cystathionine in the tissues. The concentration of cystathionine in tissues rapidly decreased with an increase of taurine in the diet. It was also observed that for each of the dietary groups, a trace amount of taurine was excreted. These results suggest that the taurine content in the diet affects the sulfur amino acid metabolism of juvenile Japanese flounder, and indicate that juvenile flounder are unable to biosynthesize taurine from cystine.     

Dietary taurine impacts the growth,amino acid profile and resistance against heat stress of tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes)

A 56‐day feeding trail was conducted to evaluate the effects of taurine (Tau) supplementation on growth performance, amino acid profile and heat stress resistance capacity in juvenile Takifugu rubripes (initial body weight: 32.28 ± 0.20 g). Tiger puffer were distributed into five groups and each received one of the following diets: each diet was supplemented with 0 (T1), 5 (T2), 10 (T3), 20 (T4) or 50 (T5) g Tau/kg, respectively. Growth performances were significantly ameliorated with fed diet T3 (p < .05). The Tau content of muscle increased significantly as dietary Tau increased (p < .05). Compared to the control group, fish fed diets T4 and T5 showed significantly higher concentration of triglyceride and urea, respectively (p < .05), while taurine transporter (TauT) gene and IGF‐1 gene expression increased significantly in fish fed diets T3 and T4, respectively (p < .05). After acute heat stress, HSP70 gene expression levels were significantly greater in the livers and spleens of T. rubripes (p < .05) fed diet supplemented with Tau. Levels of complement C4 were highest in fish fed 10 g/kg Tau (p < .05). These data suggested that dietary supplemented with taurine indicated positive effects on growth performances, amino acid profile and resistance against heat stress for T. rubripes.     

Effect of dietary taurine levels on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth of juvenile Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli (Hilgendorf)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different taurine levels on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth of juvenile rockfish. Five taurine level diets were made by the supplementation of taurine (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) to a basal diet. Fish meal washed with 70% ethanol to exclude taurine was used for the sole protein source. Feeding experiments were accomplished at 15°C using juvenile fish (initial BW: 13.5 g). Fish were fed the experimental diets for 4 months. At the end of experiments, fish were weighed and stored at ?80°C for analysis of free amino acids and conjugated bile acids contents. The growth performance and feed efficiency of Korean rockfish were improved by taurine supplementation in the experimental diets. The taurine contents of the whole body increased with the increase in the taurine supplementation. The primary conjugated bile acids in gall bladder were taurocholic acid (83.5–165.6 mg mL^?1) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (6.3–20.0 mg mL^?1). Total bile acids increased with increases in dietary taurine. Taurocholic acid content was more than 95% of the total conjugated bile acids. This indicates that taurine is the sole amino acid to make conjugated bile acid in Korean rockfish. Dietary taurine levels improved the conjugated bile acid composition in juvenile Korean rockfish.     

Effect of taurine supplemented practical diet on growth performance and taurine contents in whole body and tissues of juvenile Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The effect of dietary taurine on juvenile Japanese flounder was determined by feeding three taurine-supplemented experimental diets (TAU) and a commercial diet (CD) to evaluate a practical diet for juvenile Japanese flounder. Juvenile Japanese flounder were reared on the three experimental diets supplemented with taurine at 0, 0.5, 1.0% and CD. These diets were fed to juvenile Japanese flounder of an initial mean body weight of 0.2 g for 6 weeks at 20°C and the taurine contents of the whole body and tissues were analyzed. The final average body weight of juvenile Japanese flounder fed the 1.0% TAU was significantly higher than that of the other groups. Taurine contents in the whole body and tissues increased with the increase in dietary taurine level. These results indicate that juvenile Japanese flounder require at least 15 mg/g taurine in the diet, even though a combined mix of fish, krill and squid meal was the main protein source in the experimental diets.     

Effects of dietary taurine levels on epidermal thickness and scale loss in red sea bream,Pagrus major

Taurine is often added to artificial fish diets to compensate for a reduction in fish meal (FM). However, the taurine content of FM‐based diets is typically lower than in diets consisting of raw fish, even in diets where FM is the only protein source. We evaluated the effects of dietary taurine in FM‐based diets on epidermal thickness and scale detachability in red sea bream Pagrus major. We compared the effect of diets containing 0% (control), 0.3% (Tau‐0.3%), 0.6% (Tau‐0.6%) and 1.0% (Tau‐1.0%) taurine. Red sea bream (average body weight, 39 g) were fed these diets for 7 weeks. Taurine supplementation had no effect on growth, feed intake, feeding efficiency, or survival. However, the epidermal thickness was higher in fish in the Tau‐0.6% and Tau‐1.0% groups than in the control and Tau‐0.3% groups. Similarly, scale loss was significantly higher in the control group than in the Tau‐0.6% and Tau‐1.0% groups. Our results suggest that supplementation with >0.6% taurine (1.0% in diet) improves skin condition.     

Effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance,digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant status of juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) fed with low fish meal diet

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes, antioxidant status and the target of rapamycin (TOR) gene expression in black carp (initial body weight 5.94 ± 0.02 g) fed with low fish meal diet. Six isonitrogen and isolipidic diets were formulated. High fish meal–based diet (HFM) contained 20% fish meal and 24% soybean meal as a positive control. Fifty per cent of fish meal in HFM was replaced by soybean meal and were supplemented with 0, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% dietary taurine respectively (designated as T_0.00 (a negative control), T_0.05, T_0.1, T_0.2 and T_0.4). The results showed that the partial replacement of fish meal by soybean meal without taurine supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in weight gain (WG), activities of amylase and lipase in intestine, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐px) in serum, with a significant increase in feed conversion rate (FCR), the content of malonaldehyde (MDA), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in serum. WG in groups supplemented with equal or above to 0.1% dietary taurine was significantly higher compared with T₀ group. With increasing levels of dietary taurine, the activities of amylase, lipase, GSH‐px and SOD and glutataione (GSH) content significantly increased (p < 0.05). FCR, the content of MDA, TG and TC in serum and crude lipid content in whole body were significantly reduced after taurine treatment (p < 0.05). In liver, TOR mRNA expression in groups with equal or above to 0.1% taurine was significantly higher than T₀ group (p < 0.05).     

Effect of dietary taurine and cystine on growth performance of juvenile red sea bream Pagrus major

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary taurine and cystine on growth and body composition of juvenile red sea bream Pagrus major. In Experiment I, a casein-based semi-purified diet included a small amount of fish meal were supplemented with taurine at the levels of 0 (control) and 1.0%. The experimental diets in Experiment II were without fishmeal and supplemented with taurine at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% or cystine at 1.0 and 2.0%. These diets were fed three times a day for 6 weeks to fish (average body weight: 2.3 g in Experiment I and 2.5 g in Experiment II). In Experiment I, fish fed the taurine-supplemented diet showed significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth, feed efficiency and feed consumption relative to fish fed the unsupplemental diet. The whole body taurine content increased, whereas the non-essential amino acid contents decreased, in fish fed the taurine-supplemental diet compared to fish fed the unsupplemented diet. In Experiment II, the growth, feed efficiency and feed consumption of fish fed the taurine-supplemented diets, irrespective of the dietary taurine levels, were significantly higher than those of fish fed the control diet and the cystine-supplemented diets. Taurine content in the whole body increased with the dietary taurine level, while the taurine contents did not increase by the supplemental cystine. Other free amino acid contents in the taurine-supplemented diet groups followed similar trends to those in Experiment I. These results indicate that supplemental taurine to a casein-based semi-purified diet at more than 0.5% improved the growth and feed performance of juvenile red sea bream. It is also suggested that juvenile red sea bream cannot metabolize cystine into taurine.