Preliminary Study of the Dietary α‐Tocopherol Requirement in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) requirement in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers averaging 1.48 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks of 20 L capacity in a recirculating system (20 animals per tank). Six semi‐purified experimental diets with average protein and crude lipid levels (dry matter) of 29.7 ± 0.36% and 4.39 ± 0.23% (mean ± SD), respectively were formulated to contain 0 (E4), 15 (E12), 30 (E23), 60 (E44), 120 (E77) and 600 (E378) mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet, supplied as dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate. Diets were analyzed for α‐tocopherol content by HPLC and the α‐tocopherol levels were 4.01, 12.4, 23.1, 44.3, 77.4 and 378 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet for E4, E12, E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets, respectively. Casein and defatted fish meal were used as the protein sources in the diets while wheat flour was the carbohydrate source. Sea cucumbers were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of the 14‐week feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) of sea cucumbers fed on E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of animals fed on E4 and E12 diets. However, there were no significant differences in WG, SGR and FE among sea cucumbers fed on E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets or among those fed on E4 and E12 diets. Survival of sea cucumbers fed on E44, E77 and E378 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed on E4, E12 and E23 diets. However, there were no significant differences among sea cucumbers fed on E4, E12 and E23 diets or among those fed on E44 and E77 diets. Whole‐body vitamin E concentration increased with α‐tocopherol content of the diets. Broken line analysis of WG showed an optimum dietary α‐tocopherol requirement of 41 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet in sea cucumber. These results indicated that the optimum dietary α‐tocopherol requirement in sea cucumber in the form of dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate could be higher than 23.1 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet but lower than 44 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet.     

Effect of dietary lipid source and vitamin E on growth,non‐specific immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Six purified diets were formulated to contain three lipid sources, fish oil (FO), linseed oil (LO) and soybean oil (SO), at 6% diet lipid crossing two levels of vitamin E (100 and 300 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg diet) for each lipid source (FO100, FO300, LO100, LO300, SO100, SO300). The juvenile Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, respectively, fed on these diets with four replicates for 6 weeks. The crab weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly affected by dietary lipid sources. No difference was found between the crabs fed two levels of vitamin E, but the WG and SGR were numerically higher in crab fed 300 mg/kg vitamin E than those fed the other level of vitamin E. The lipid source and vitamin E level could affect fatty acid composition in the hepatopancreas. The contents of saturated fatty acids (SAFA) and n‐3HUFA were significantly higher in the crab‐fed fish oil. The highest contents of n‐6PUFA and n‐3PUFA were found in the crab‐fed soybean oil and linseed oil respectively. The contents of SAFA, n‐3HUFA and n‐3PUFA were higher in the 300 mg/kg vitamin E treatment. A lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and higher phenoloxidase (PO) activity were observed in the crab fed 300 mg/kg vitamin E. The results of this study indicate that the Chinese mitten crab fed the diet with 6% fish oil and 300 mg/kg vitamin E showed better growth, antioxidant capacity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila.     

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.     

Carbohydrate utilization by juvenile silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell). III. The protein-sparing effect of wheat starch-based carbohydrates

The ability of juvenile silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) to utilize dietary raw wheat meal, raw wheat starch, gelatinized wheat starch and dextrin as energy sources to spare protein for growth was quantified. Energy utilization and protein sparing were assessed by comparing the weight gain, energy retention efficiency, protein retention and body composition of silver perch that had been fed a series of diets in which the basal diet (low carbohydrate) was systematically replaced with graded levels of each carbohydrate ingredient or an inert diluent, diatomaceous earth. The protein content decreased as the carbohydrate content increased, giving four different protein to energy ratios for each of the four carbohydrate sources (except for the 60% inclusion level, at which only three carbohydrate sources were tested). Silver perch were efficient at utilizing carbohydrate for energy to spare protein. Silver perch fed diets containing up to 30% wheat meal, raw wheat starch, gelatinized wheat starch or dextrin exhibited similar growth, protein retention and energy retention efficiency to the fish fed the basal diet. Weight gain of silver perch fed diets containing wheat meal or carbohydrates at 45% inclusion content had significantly reduced weight gain when compared with fish fed the basal diet. However, protein retention and energy retention efficiency were similar or better. Whole‐body protein levels of silver perch remained constant regardless of carbohydrate sources, and there was no evidence of increasing whole‐body lipid concentrations for fish fed diets with up to 60% dietary carbohydrate. Silver perch were more efficient at utilizing processed starch (either gelatinized starch or dextrin) than wheat meal or raw wheat starch.     

Effects of dietary inclusion of yacon,ginger and blueberry on growth,body composition and challenge test of juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) against Edwardsiella tarda

Effects of dietary inclusion of yacon, Polymnia sonchifolia (YC), ginger, Zingiber officinale (GG), and blueberry, Vaccinium ashei (BB), on growth, body composition and challenge test of rockfish against Edwardsiella tarda compared to ethoxyquin were investigated. Three hundred and sixty fish were randomly distributed into 12 flow‐through tanks. Four experimental diets were prepared: the control diet (Con) with 0.1 g/kg ethoxyquin, and YC, GG and BB diets. Each diet was assigned to triplicate tanks of fish and hand‐fed for 8 weeks. Externally normal fish after fourth and eighth weeks of feeding trial were infected with Edwardsiella tarda for challenge test. Weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed the YC diet were greater than those of fish fed all other diets. Feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention of fish fed the YC diet were higher than those of fish fed all other diets. In the both fourth and eighth weeks of infection trials, mortality of fish fed the Con diet was higher than that of fish fed all other diets. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of YC, GG and BB increased weight gain and SGR of fish. YC, GG and BB for 4 and 8 weeks lowered mortality of fish at occurrence of E. tarda.     

Optimum Dietary Protein Level and Protein‐to‐energy Ratio for Growth of Juvenile Parrot Fish,Oplegnathus fasciatus

An 8‐wk feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum dietary protein level and protein‐to‐energy (P/E) ratio in juvenile parrot fish, Oplegnathus fasciatus. Eight experimental diets were formulated with two energy levels and four protein levels for each energy level. Diets containing crude protein (CP) at 35, 40, 45, and 50% had either 12.5 or 14.6 kJ/g of energy. Fish averaging 7.1 ± 0.06 g (mean ± SD) were fed one of the experimental diets for 8 wk. At the end of the feeding trial, weight gain (WG) of fish fed 45 and 50% CP in the 12.5 kJ/g diet was significantly higher than fish fed the 35% CP diet (P < 0.05). WG of the fish fed 45 and 50% CP in the 14.6 kJ/g diet was significantly higher than fish fed the 35 and 40% CP diets (P < 0.05). Fish fed the 14.6 kJ/g diet had a higher WG compared with fish fed the 12.5 kJ/g diet at all CP levels. Feed efficiency (FE) and specific growth rate (SGR) showed a similar trend to the WG. WG, FE, and SGR improved with increasing dietary protein levels up to 45% and remained constant at 50% CP for both energy levels. However, protein efficiency ratio was negatively related to dietary protein levels. The results suggested that the optimum level of protein and the optimum P/E ratio for juvenile parrot fish should be 45% and 31.1 mg protein/kJ, respectively, in a diet containing 14.6 kJ/g energy.     

Preliminary Study of the Optimum Dietary Ascorbic Acid Level in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 14‐wk feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary ascorbic acid (AA) level in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers averaging 1.49 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks of 20 L capacity in a recirculating system (20 animals per tank). Six semipurified experimental diets were formulated to contain 0 (l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate [AMP]; AMP0), 30 (AMP24), 60 (AMP48), 120 (AMP100), 240 (AMP206), and 1200 (AMP1045) mg AA/kg diet in the form of AMP using casein as the main protein source. Sea cucumbers were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of 14 wk of feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency (FE) of sea cucumbers fed AMP100, AMP206, and AMP1045 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of animals fed AMP0, AMP24, and AMP48. However, there were no significant differences in WG, SGR, and FE among sea cucumbers fed AMP100, AMP206, and AMP1045 and among animals fed AMP0, AMP24, and AMP48. Whole‐body vitamin C concentration increased with AA content of the diets. Broken‐line analysis of WG showed an optimum dietary AA level of 105.3 mg AA/kg diet in sea cucumber. These results indicated that the optimum dietary vitamin C level in sea cucumber in the form of AMP could be greater than 100 mg AA/kg diet but less than 105.3 mg AA/kg diet.     

Long-term effects and interactions of dietary vitamins C and E on growth and reproduction of yellow perch, Perca flavescens

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary vitamin C and/or E and their interaction on growth and reproductive performance in yellow perch. Yellow perch juveniles were divided into four treatments with triplicate groups and fed with one of four semi-purified diets for 32 weeks. The experimental diets were formulated to contain no or high vitamin E levels (160 mg/kg) without or with vitamin C supplementation (250 mg/kg) designated as diets −C−E, −C+E, +C−E, or +C+E, respectively. The growth rates and survival of yellow perch fed with +C−E and +C+E diets were significantly higher than the fish fed with −C−E diet. Total- and dehydro-ascorbate concentrations in liver and testis increased in response to its dietary supplementation. The -tocopherol concentration in sperm was significantly affected by dietary supplementation of vitamin C. Gonadosomatic index of males was lower in the fish fed with −C−E diet compared to that of fish fed with other diets. Hatching rates of embryos obtained from testing sperm viability was significantly improved in fish fed with the diets sufficient in vitamin C (82±7%) compared to the fish fed with the −C−E diet (59±7). This study indicates that supplementation of dietary vitamin C and E increase growth rate, and semen quality can be improved by dietary vitamin C supplementation within one maturation cycle, and vitamin C may spare sperm vitamin E depending on vitamin E stores in tissues.     

Dietary vitamin E requirement of sub‐adult genetically improved farmed tilapia strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in freshwater

A two‐factor orthogonal test was conducted to determine the dietary vitamin E (VE, dl ‐α‐tocopheryl acetate) requirement for sub‐adult GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at two lipid levels, and evaluate its effect on antioxidant responses. A basal diet containing 60 or 130 g/kg of soybean oil was supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, 120 and 240 mg VE/kg, respectively. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of tilapia with initial weight (80.3 ± 0.7) g for 10 weeks. Results showed that the weight gain, feed efficiency and hepatic VE retention of fish were significantly increased by the increased VE in diets. In groups with 60 and 130 g/kg lipid, fish fed diets supplemented with VE had higher serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity, and lower malondialdehyde content than fish fed the VE un‐supplemented diet (p < .05). The proximate composition of fish had no significant difference in the group with 130 g/kg lipid, whereas crude lipid and ash content were significantly affected by dietary VE in the group with 60 g/kg lipid. Based on broken‐line regression analysis, dietary VE requirement to support the maximum weight gain and serum SOD were 43.2–45.8 and 66.0–76.1 mg/kg in diets with 60 and 130 g/kg lipid, respectively.     

A comparison of the effect of urchin size and diet on gonad yield and quality in the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Evechinus chloroticus</Emphasis> Valenciennes

We compared the gonad-enhancing effects of two diets (NIWA and NIFA diets) in two size classes of sea urchins (Evechinus chloroticus): small and large urchins with a test diameter of 75.6 ± 1.2 mm and 93.8 ± 0.5 mm, weighing 174.8 ± 7.9 g and 315 ± 5.6 g, respectively. After eight weeks being fed prepared diets, urchin gonad index (GI) had significantly surpassed that of the initial and final samples of wild urchins. Urchins in the NIWA/small treatment had a larger GI than the NIFA/small and NIFA/large treatments. The NIWA/large treatment had a larger GI than the NIFA/large treatment. The overall percentage increase in GI for the NIWA/small, NIWA/large, NIFA/small and NIFA/large treatments were 183%, 135%, 132% and 85%, respectively. In terms of gonad colour (CIELAB), there were no significant differences in gonad redness (a*) or yellowness (b*) between experimental treatments, but there was a significant difference in gonad lightness (L*) with small urchins fed both diets having lighter-coloured gonads than the large urchins fed both diets. Sensory assessment of gonads revealed that gonads from small urchins fed both diets were rated as being of better colouration and more uniform in colour than gonads from large urchins. Gonads of urchins fed the NIFA diet were rated as being less bitter and of better overall taste than gonads from urchins fed the NIWA diet. This study shows that feeding prepared diets to E. chloroticus can significantly increase gonad yield but that different diets can affect the magnitude of GI increase and the taste of gonads, and that smaller urchins appear more suitable for gonad enhancement.     

Nano zinc vis‐à‐vis inorganic Zinc as feed additives: Effects on growth,activity of hepatic enzymes and non‐specific immunity in rohu,Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

The effects of dietary administration of inorganic zinc (zinc sulphate, ZnSO₄) and nano zinc (zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO‐NP) were evaluated in rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. Fish were fed with a basal diet (Control) supplemented with ZnSO₄ (T1, T2 and T3) and ZnO‐NP (T4, T5 and T6) at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively, for a duration of 45 days. The results revealed that fish fed diet containing 20 mg ZnO‐NP per kg (T5) had the highest weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR, % per day), which was significantly different (p < .05) from the other experimental diets. Significantly (p < .05), higher activities of the digestive and metabolic enzymes were recorded in the fish fed ZnO‐NP containing diets as compared to the diets containing inorganic Zn or control diet. The maximum serum glucose and protein levels were noted in fish reared on diet T5. Both SGOT and SGPT activities were significantly increased in fish fed Zn‐supplemented diets (T1 to T6), as compared to the control group. Similarly, innate immune parameters were improved with feeding Zn incorporated diets. The highest phagocytic (40.74 ± 0.65%) and respiratory burst (0.33 ± 0.001, OD 630nm) activities were recorded in the fish fed diet containing ZnO‐NPs at 20 mg/kg (T5). The maximum superoxide production and serum peroxidase activity were detected in the fish fed T5 and T6 diets. Overall, results indicated that short‐duration feeding (≤45 days) of dietary ZnO‐NP (20 mg/kg) improved growth, enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters and immune function in rohu fingerlings.     

Effect of fermented Enteromopha prolifera on the growth performance,digestive enzyme activities and serum non‐specific immunity of red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of different levels of fermented macroalga, Enteromorpha prolifera, on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and serum non‐specific immunity of red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis niloticus). Fish were fed the control diet or the five diets supplemented with fermented E. prolifera for 7 weeks (diets 1–5 containing 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 g kg^?1 of fermented E. prolifera respectively). The results showed that the percentage weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) improved significantly in fish fed diets 3, 4 and 5, and regression analysis showed SGR reached the maximum in fish fed diet containing 37 g kg^?1 fermented E. prolifera, while the feed conversion ratio reduced significantly in fish fed diets 2, 3, 4 and 5, and regression analysis showed it reached its minimum in fish fed diet containing 41 g kg^?1 fermented E. prolifera. The pepsin, erepsin, gastric amylase, intestinal amylase, gastric lipase and intestinal lipase activities in fish fed diets 2, 3 and 4 were higher significantly than the control, with the exception of the pepsin activity in fish fed diet 4. The serum total superoxide dismutase, lysozyme, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities enhanced significantly in fish fed diets 3 and 4. In conclusion, fermented E. prolifera had positive effects on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and serum non‐specific immunity of red tilapia and the recommended dose of fermented E. prolifera is 37–41 g kg^?1 in the diet of red tilapia.     

The effect of varying dietary energy on gonad development at first sexual maturity of the Sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822)

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of five isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) diets having different energy contents; 10.85, 11.82, 12.73, 13.69, and 15.06 MJ DE/kg, respectively, on the gonad development and weight gain of Sharptooth catfish fingerlings. Energy contents of the experimental diets were increased with the increasing amount of soy-acid oil (0, 4, 8.5, 13, 18%) and each group of fish was fed on their respective diets (group I was fed diet I) during 180 days. The gonad maturation was significantly affected by dietary energy. In both sexes, the histological inspections of the gonads did reveal differences among the fish fed different energetic diets. Fish fed diets I, II, and III had significantly heavier and more developed gonads compared to those on diets IV and V. Fish fed the higher energetic diets (IV and V) had partially low numbers of yolky oocytes compared to other groups. The mean GSI values of female and male fish fed with diet III was significantly greater than those fed diets with higher dietary energy; however, higher HSI values were recorded for fish fed with the higher energetic diets (IV and V). Also, the best weight gain for both males and females were recorded from the fish fed diet III (12.73 MJ DE/kg). Therefore, on the basis of the present results, among energy levels tested, 12.73 MJ DE/kg was found to be optimal for healthy gonad development and weight gain.     

Effects of steam pelleting or extrusion on digestibility and performance of silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus

The effects of different processing techniques on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) and performance of silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus were evaluated. Results of a factorial digestibility trial, in which three diets (SP35, 95LC1 and 95LC2) and three processing methods (cold pelleted, steam pelleted and extruded) were evaluated, indicated that extrusion, but not steam conditioning, significantly improved ADCs of dry matter (DM) and energy. ADCs of DM and energy of cold‐pelleted diets were statistically similar to steam‐pelleted diets, and ADCs of nitrogen were unaffected by processing method. No interaction was found between diet type and processing method for DM, energy or nitrogen ADCs. A performance trial indicated that feed intake, weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed steam‐pelleted diets was greater than those of fish fed extruded diets. Feed conversion and digestible protein efficiency was better in fish fed extruded diets. The results indicated that extruded diets were better utilized than steam‐pelleted diets; however, voluntary intake of extruded diets may have been limited. Fish fed cold‐pelleted SP35 exhibited inferior performance compared with fish fed steam‐pelleted or extruded SP35. Reduced performance of fish fed this diet may relate to poor utilization of digestible protein or reduced palatability. Diets for silver perch with similar formulations to SP35 and 95LC2 should be steam pelleted.     

Growth of Juvenile Scup,Stenotomus chrysops,Fed Three Commercial Diets

Juvenile scup, Stenotomus chrysops, 0.5–1.5 g weight were fed three different commercial diets for six weeks to determine growth rates. Diets were hand-distributed to triplicate groups of 30 fish, four times a day. Survival for all treatments was 93%. The diets used were INVE Aquaculture NRD marine diet (NRD), Skretting Feed Products Gemma starter feed (Gemma), and Salt Creek Progression fish starter diet (Progression). While all diets supported good growth, after 6 weeks scup fed the NRD diet were of significantly greater length and weight (P?<?0.05) than fish fed the other diets. The effects of each diet on fish growth were significantly different from each other (P?<?0.05), with final live weight (g), total length (mm), relative growth rate (RGR), and daily weight gain (DWG) measurements higher for fish fed the NRD diet. Scup fed the Gemma diet were of significantly greater length and weight than fish fed the Progression diet. The specific growth rate (SGR) of scup fed either the NRD or Gemma diets were not significantly different; however, both of these diets produced fish with significantly higher SGR than those fed the Progression diet. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) of scup fed either the NRD or the Gemma diets were significantly lower than the FCR of fish fed the Progression diet. SGR values were 6.6%, 6.3%?and 5.6%/day, and FCR values were 1.03, 1.11, and 1.31 for fish fed the NRD, Gemma, and Progression diets, respectively. RGR values were 1,439%, 1,212%, and 895%, and DWG values were 0.33 g, 0.27 g, and 0.20 g/day for scup fed the NRD, Gemma, and Progression diets, respectively.     

Antioxidant‐related parameters,digestive enzyme activity and intestinal morphology in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry fed graded levels of red seaweed,Gracilaria pygmaea

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary red seaweed, Gracilaria pygmaea level on growth, antioxidant‐related parameters, digestive enzyme activity and intestinal morphology of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry. Five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain four G. pygmaea levels (30 (GL‐30), 60 (GL‐60), 90 (GL‐90) and 120 g/kg (GL‐120)), and a control diet was used, without inclusion of seaweed. Results of the feeding trial indicated that final body (FBW: 2.8–3.5 g) and specific growth rate (SGR: 4.8–5.2) were significantly improved when 60 g/kg G. pygmaea was supplemented in the diets. However, there was a significant reduction (p < .05) of final body weight (FBW) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed 120 g/kg G. pygmaea. Protease activity was significantly lower in fish fed GL‐120 diet when compared to GL‐30 or control (p < .05). Lipase was significantly affected by dietary seaweed regardless its level of supplementation (p < .05). The inclusion of the Gracilaria in the diet led to evident changes in the fish antioxidant status with significant reduction of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation products. The histological study demonstrated that all groups of fish displayed normal morphology of anterior intestine and pyloric caeca. Villi absorptive area in the anterior intestine of treatment groups GL‐90 and GL‐120 significantly decreased (p < .05). Overall, the results obtained in this study indicate that dietary G. pygmaea supplementation up to 90 g/kg improves growth performance in rainbow trout fry without compromising antioxidant responses and digestive function.     

饲料中添加叔丁基氢醌对大菱鲆生长、血液生化指标、非特异性免疫及肠道组织结构的影响

为研究饲料中添加不同含量叔丁基氢醌(TBHQ)对大菱鲆幼鱼生长、血液生化指标、非特异性免疫及肠道组织结构的影响,在饲料中分别添加0、150、450和750 mg/kg的叔丁基氢醌,配制成4种等氮等脂实验饲料,选择初始体质量(8.31±0.04)g大菱鲆幼鱼,随机分成4组,每组6个重复,每个重复30尾,采用饱饲投喂方式,每天投喂2次,饲养周期为12 W。结果显示,与对照组相比,450和750 mg/kg TBHQ添加组大菱鲆的增重率、特定生长率均显著降低;450 mg/kg TBHQ添加组实验鱼血清碱性磷酸酶活力显著高于150 mg/kg TBHQ添加组;150 mg/kg TBHQ添加组实验鱼血清白蛋白和高密度脂蛋白含量显著低于对照组和450 mg/kg添加组;450 mg/kg TBHQ添加组鱼的血清肌酐含量显著高于对照组;150 mg/kg TBHQ添加组鱼的血清总蛋白含量显著低于对照组;饲料中添加高剂量的TBHQ能够显著升高血清中CAT、溶菌酶活力(450和750 mg/kg)及头肾吞噬细胞呼吸爆发活力(750 mg/kg);饲料中TBHQ添加量为750 mg/kg时,血清SOD活力显著降低;与对照组相比,饲料中添加450和750 mg/kg TBHQ能够显著降低中肠肠道绒毛长度与肠道直径比,而添加750 mg/kg TBHQ时中肠肠道做绒毛长度与肠道直径的比值显著降低。研究表明,饲料中TBHQ的添加量为150 mg/kg时,对大菱鲆幼鱼生长及生理生化指标无显著影响,而饲料中添加450 mg/kg以上的TBHQ则会对大菱鲆幼鱼的生长及生理状况产生一定负面作用。     

Dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii♀ × Acipenser baerii♂)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of dietary arginine ranging from 1.74% to 3.54% (dry weight). The results indicated that the fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.24% arginine diets (p < .05), and the fish fed the 2.64% arginine diet presented the highest SGR. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower whole‐body crude protein content than the fish fed the 2.64% or 2.93% arginine diets (p < .05). Compared with the 1.76% arginine diet, 2.36% to 2.93% arginine diets significantly increased the total amino acid (TAA) concentration and total nonessential amino acid (TNEAA) of carcasses. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower activity of nitric oxide synthase (T‐NOS) and content of nitric oxide (NO) than the fish fed the 2.05% to 2.93% arginine diets in the liver. The fish fed with 1.76%, 2.05% or 2.36% arginine diets had lower gene expression of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) in the liver than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.53% arginine diets in the liver (p < .05). A broken‐line analysis between SGR against the dietary arginine levels provided estimates for the optimal dietary arginine requirement of 2.47% corresponding to 6.18% of the dietary protein on a dry weight basis.     

Effect of 5′‐inosine monophosphate (IMP) and 5′‐guanosine monophosphate (GMP) on the growth,immunity and muscle composition of turbot,Scophthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758)

We evaluated the effect of different concentrations of 5′‐inosine monophosphate (IMP) and 5′‐guanosine monophosphate (GMP) on the growth, immunity and muscle composition of turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Eight diets (containing no IMP or GMP, or 0.5 g/kg IMP, 1.0 g/kg IMP, 2.0 g/kg IMP, 0.5 g/kg GMP, 1.0 g/kg GMP, 2.0 g/kg GMP, or 0.5 g/kg IMP plus 0.5 g/kg GMP) were prepared. A total of 360 fish (average body weight of 105 g) were randomly selected and placed in groups into 24 plastic aquaria (8 treatments × 3 replicates × 15 individuals per plastic aquaria). The tanks were maintained at the temperature of 15 ± 2°C. The experimental diets were fed for 60 days. The specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly higher in S. maximus fed with IMP or GMP compared with fish fed neither IMP nor GMP. The highest SGR was observed in fish fed with 1.0 g/kg IMP. Supplementation with these dietary nucleotides had a positive, but not significant effect on the activity of superoxide dismutase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase. There was a significant difference in the moisture and crude lipid content of muscle from S. maximus fed the different diets compared with control fish. The highest moisture content was 83.44 for a diet of 0.5 g/kg IMP plus 0.5 g/kg GMP, which was also significantly higher when compared to fish fed alternative diets. The crude lipid content of S. maximus fed diets containing either IMP or GMP was significantly higher than those fed diets without IMP or GMP. Thus, according to these results, the optimal level of dietary IMP is 1.0 g/kg, which correlates with the largest increase in growth performance of S. maximus.     

Effects of diets with different plant proteins on the performance of silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell) and on water quality in earthen ponds

As part of a project to develop least‐cost diets with low levels of fish meal, silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus Mitchell) fingerlings (mean weight, 11.8 g) were stocked at a density of 7500 fish ha⁻¹ into 0.1‐ha earthen ponds and fed one of two diets containing 33% digestible protein, 13 MJ kg⁻¹ digestible energy, similar nutrient specifications, but with different levels of fish meal and plant proteins. The reference diet SP35 had 27% fish meal, 28% wheat, 20% soybean and 11% sorghum, while the diet silver perch least‐cost (SPLC) had 10% fish meal, 20% peanut meal, 19% wheat, 17% lupins, 16% canola, 8% soybean and 5% blood meal; there were three replicate ponds for each diet. Fish were fed a restricted ration up to 5% body weight day⁻¹ and cultured for 10 months. Survival ranged from 85.9% to 94.3% and was not affected by diet. The mean weight (550 g), specific growth rate (SGR; 1.28% day⁻¹), absolute growth rate (AGR; 1.9 g fish⁻¹ day⁻¹) and production rate (4.5 tonnes ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were significantly higher (P<0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR=1.8) was significantly lower for fish fed SP35 compared with fish fed SPLC (413 g, 1.18% day⁻¹, 1.4 g fish⁻¹ day⁻¹, 3.3 tonnes ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, 2.4). From October (spring) to March (autumn), turbidity was significantly lower (P<0.05) in SPLC ponds than in SP35 ponds, and fish were observed avoiding or ingesting and then expelling SPLC pellets. In February and March, infestations of the ectoparasitic copepod Ergasilus sp. were found on silver perch fed SPLC, and there was 5% post‐harvest mortality of these fish. The high inclusion levels of plant proteins, particularly peanut meal and canola in SPLC, may have provided anti‐nutritional factors and/or reduced the palatability and intake of the diet, adversely affecting the performance and health of silver perch, and water quality in the ponds. Our study demonstrates the value of evaluating new aquaculture diets under practical conditions over a complete growing period.