Effects of dietary amylose/amylopectin ratio on growth performance,feed utilization,digestive enzymes,and postprandial metabolic responses in juvenile obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus

The effect of dietary amylose/amylopectin (AM/AP) ratio on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, plasma parameters, and postprandial blood glucose responses was evaluated in juvenile obscure puffer, Takifugu obscurus. Five isonitrogenous (430 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isolipidic (90 g kg^?1 crude lipid) diets containing an equal starch level (250 g kg^?1 starch) with different AM/AP ratio diets of 0/25, 3/22, 6/19, 9/16 and 12/13 were formulated. Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups (25 fish per tank), twice daily during a period of 60 days. After the growth trial, a postprandial blood response test was carried out. Fish fed diet 6/19 showed best growth, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio. Hepatosomatic index, plasma total cholesterol concentration, liver glycogen and lipid content, and gluconokinase, pyruvate kinase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities were lower in fish fed highest AM/AP diet (12/13) than in fish fed the low-amylose diets. Activities of liver and intestinal trypsin in fish fed diet 3/22 and diet 6/19 were higher than in fish fed diet 9/16 and diet 12/13. Activities of liver and intestinal amylase and intestinal lipase, and starch digestibility were negatively correlated with dietary AM/AP ratio. Fish fed diet 3/22 and diet 6/19 showed higher plasma total amino acid concentration than fish fed the other diets, while plasma urea nitrogen concentration and activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase showed the opposite trend. Equal values were found for viscerosomatic index and condition factor, whole body and muscle composition, plasma high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and activities of lipase and hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in liver. Postprandial plasma glucose and triglyceride peak value of fish fed diet 12/13 were lower than in fish fed the low-amylose diets, and the peak time of plasma glucose was later than in fish fed the other diets. Plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations showed a significant difference at 2 and 4 h after a meal and varied between dietary treatments. According to regression analysis of weight gain against dietary AM/AP ratio, the optimum dietary AM/AP ratio for maximum growth of obscure puffer was 0.25. The present result indicates that dietary AM/AP ratio could affect growth performance and feed utilization, some plasma parameters, digestive enzyme as well as hepatic glucose metabolic enzyme activities in juvenile obscure puffer.     

Interacting effects of diet and environmental temperature on biochemical parameters in the liver ofLeuciscus idus melanotus (Cyprinidae: Teleostei)

One year old golden ide (Leuciscus idus melanotus) were starved for 2 weeks at 20°C (time zero) and then they were fed either freeze-dried mosquito larvae (natural diet) or a commercial fish chow (artificial diet) at an ambient temperature of 14°C and 20°C, respectively. Growth parameters and biochemical data in the liver were measured at time zero and after 3 and 7 weeks of specific regimen. If compared to natural food, the artificial diet caused transient increase in anabolic activity of the liver, but prevented long-lasting hepatocyte proliferation (increase of total liver DNA). After 3 weeks on artificial diet, the body weight was significantly higher and the liver mass doubled compared to ide kept on the natural regimen; tissue DNA content indicated that the hepatocyte volume increased mainly by increased protein content and corresponding uptake of water; lipid and glycogen contents were increased by a factor of 3–6, and the RNADNA ratio was increased accordingly. The growth of the ide, as reflected by the condition factor and hepatosomatic index (HSI), was virtually stopped when the artificial regimen was maintained for 7 weeks, whereas on natural food the condition factor was increased and liver weight and DNA were doubled. Growth of the fish maintained at 14°C was significantly lower than that of fish maintained at 20°C, though the total liver DNA was still increased on the natural regimen during the experiment. Less lipid was stored by fish maintained at 14°C, whereas protein and glycogen deposits were enlarged, if compared to fish maintained at 20°C. The specific activity of cytochrome oxidase in liver mitochondria and of NADPH cytochrome c reductase in the microsomal fraction were found independent of diet and ambient temperature. Oxidative capacity of hepatocytes (mitochondrial protein/mg DNA) remained unchanged, and microsomal protein/cell appeared reduced in response to the artificial food. However, reduction of cell number on this diet resulted in less total mitochondrial and microsomal protein in the organ. Golden ide liver is found to be a sensitive experimental model to characterize the mutual influence of diet and temperature on fish; the results are discussed with regard to the usage of golden ide as test fish for water pollution.     

Effect of diet composition on growth performance,hepatic metabolism and antioxidant activities in Siberian sturgeon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">baerii</Emphasis>, Brandt, 1869) submitted to starvation and refeeding

Many fish species undergo natural starvation periods. Adaptation to starvation is possible through the activation of behavioral, biochemical and physiological mechanisms. Knowledge of the effect of dietary nutrients on the intermediary metabolism during starvation and refeeding can be useful to improve fish health and optimize aquaculture production. To analyze the effect of dietary nutrients on liver metabolism of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) submitted to starvation and refeeding, four isoenergetic diets differing in nutrient composition were designed: LP-St (38 % protein, 12 % lipid, 36 % carbohydrate), HP-St (44 % protein, 10 % lipid, 30 % carbohydrate), LP-L (38 % protein, 18 % lipid, 25 % carbohydrate) and HP-L (44 % protein, 16 % lipid, 22 % carbohydrate). Four groups of fish were fed 3 weeks to satiety with the corresponding diet, starved for 2 weeks and then refeed 5 weeks to satiety on the same diet. Starvation mobilized the hepatic lipid store to a greater extent than glycogen. Starvation increased superoxide dismutase activity irrespective of the diet, while low protein diets (LP-St and LP-L) increased catalase activity. The oxidative damage decreased after 5 weeks of refeeding. Refeeding the starved fish on the HP-St diet promoted the greatest growth performance. In addition to reporting for the first time the effect of diet composition on growth, liver composition and antioxidant activities in Siberian sturgeon submitted to starvation and refeeding, our findings suggest that refeeding on HP-St diet stimulated the use of dietary carbohydrates and allowed a protein sparing effect in Siberian sturgeon.     

Hepatic enzyme adaptation to different dietary carbohydrates in juvenile tilapiaOreochromis niloticus xO. aureus

The influence of two carbohydrates, starch and glucose, on hepatic enzyme activities of juvenile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus xO. aureus, were investigated. Fish were fed either starch or glucose diet solely for 12 weeks or fed either starch or glucose diet for the first 6 weeks and then switched the diet each other for the last 6 weeks. Fish fed only the starch diet gained more (p < 0.05) body weight, had better feed conversion, higher protein deposition and energy retention values than fish fed the glucose diet. These parameters generally decreased in fish when the starch diet was fed first and then switched to the glucose diet, or increased in fish when the glucose diet was fed first and then switched to the starch diet. The starch — fed fish had higher body lipid content than glucose — fed fish. Body lipid decreased in fish transferred from the starch to glucose diet orvice versa when fish were transformed from the glucose to the starch diet. Hepatic hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and glucose-6-phosphatase activities in fish were not affected by the different dietary regimes. Malic enzyme (ME), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) activities were higher in the fish fed the starch diet than in those fed the glucose diet. Changing the diet from starch to glucose decreased ME, G-6-PD and PGD activities, whereas, changing the diet from the glucose to the starch increased these enzyme activities in fish liver. These results suggest that lipogenic enzyme activity can adapt to dietary carbohydrates in the fish liver.     

Influence of oral administration of estradiol-17β and testosterone on growth,digestion, food conversion and metabolism in the underyearling red sea bream,Chrysophrys major

Estradiol-17 (E2) administered in the diet to the red sea bream Chrysophrys major did not affect appetite, food conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, vitellogenin, -amino acids, total lipid, free fatty acids, cholesterol and calcium were elevated. The hepatosomatic index was also increased. Activities of hepatic enzymes including lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase were higher than found in untreated control fish. Intestinal activity of leucine aminopeptidase was augmented. However, there were no changes in muscle water, protein, lipid and glycogen content. In contrast, testosterone (T) given by the same route increased appetite, food conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate. There were no alterations in serum protein and calcium concentrations but serum glucose, ammonia and triglyceride levels were elevated. Hepatic glycogen content was increased. The activities of hepatic fructose- 1,6-diphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen synthetase and intestinal activities of alkaline phosphatase and -glutamyltransferase were higher than noted on control fish. The results reveal that estradiol-17 and testosterone exerted different metabolic effects in the red sea bream and they suggest that testosterone exerts its anabolic actions by increasing appetite, food conversion efficiency and activities of digestive enzymes.     

饥饿及再投喂处理对草鱼生长、葡萄糖代谢和转运蛋白1表达的影响

设置持续投喂组(C,持续投喂8周)、饥饿再投喂组(R,饥饿4周+再投喂4周)和持续饥饿组(S,饥饿8周)3个处理组,研究3种不同饥饿处理对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)血清生化指标、糖原和糖代谢相关酶和葡萄糖转运蛋白1(GLUT1)的影响,同时在此实验基础上研究草鱼在急性高糖负荷胁迫下的糖耐受能力、糖代谢相关酶和GLUT1的变化规律,旨在阐明草鱼在饥饿及再投喂处理条件下的糖代谢特征。选取初重为(125.35±0.54)g的草鱼,饲养8周后以30 mg/100 g体重的剂量腹腔注射葡萄糖研究其糖耐受能力。结果显示,S组肝糖原和血清的血糖、甘油三酯含量均最低。饥饿处理对草鱼糖耐受能力影响显著,S组血糖含量在各时间点上显著低于其余两组(P0.05),肝糖原在6 h达到峰值;饥饿处理对草鱼肝脏糖代谢关键酶影响显著,饥饿处理(S组)诱使磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸激酶(PEPCK)活性上升但抑制丙酮酸激酶(PK)和果糖-6-磷酸激酶(PFK)的活性(P0.05),而饥饿再投喂(R组)后PEPCK、PK和PFK酶活性恢复到持续投喂(C组)处理水平。注射葡萄糖后S组肝脏GK酶活性增幅最大,PK酶活性呈上升趋势,而R组则呈先下降后上升的趋势;饥饿处理对草鱼肝脏和肌肉GLUT1表达影响显著,注射葡萄糖后,除R组肝脏组织外,其余各组草鱼肝脏和肌肉组织GLUT1表达量均呈先上升后下降的趋势,且S组肌肉GLUT1表达量在各个时间点上均高于其余两组(P0.05)。研究结果表明,在不同饥饿处理下,草鱼可通过消耗肝糖原和甘油三酯及降低肝脏糖酵解相关酶(PK和PFK)活性和促进糖异生PEPCK酶活性来应对饥饿胁迫,而饥饿处理可诱使GK和PK酶活性上升、促进糖原合成和激活GLUT1基因的表达和转运来缓解草鱼急性高糖负荷,从而提高其糖耐受能力。     

饲料中不同蛋白质和淀粉水平对斜带石斑鱼生长性能和肝脏相关代谢酶活性的影响

为了探讨饲料蛋白质和碳水化合物对斜带石斑鱼的互作效应,实验采用3×3因子设计,配制蛋白质水平(P)为38%、45%和52%,淀粉水平(S)为10%、20%和30%的9种实验饲料,分别饲喂斜带石斑鱼56 d。结果显示,38%粗蛋白与10%淀粉饲料组(38P/10S饲料组)增重率显著低于其他各组,52P/10S组增重率最高,但与45P/20S、45P/30S、52P/20S组差异不显著。增加饲料蛋白质或淀粉水平显著增加饲料效率、鱼体蛋白质与脂肪含量及肝糖原肝脂含量,而降低摄食率和鱼体水分含量。增加饲料蛋白质水平降低蛋白质效率,但增加淀粉水平却增加蛋白质效率及肝体比与脏体比。饲料蛋白质水平和淀粉水平对鱼体灰分含量无明显影响。肝中肝酯酶、脂蛋白酯酶、脂肪酸合成酶、谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性均随蛋白质或淀粉水平的升高呈显著上升趋势。增加饲料蛋白质水平显著降低肝中葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶活性,而增加肝中苹果酸酶活性,但对肝中葡萄糖激酶、丙酮酸激酶、磷酸果糖激酶、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶和葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶活性没有明显影响。增加饲料淀粉水平显著增加肝中葡萄糖激酶、丙酮酸激酶、磷酸果糖激酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶和苹果酸酶活性,但显著降低磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶和葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶活性。上述结果显示,斜带石斑鱼的生长和肝脏代谢明显受饲料蛋白质和淀粉水平的影响,其中,糖代谢酶活性受淀粉水平的影响较大,而受饲料蛋白质水平的影响较小,斜带石斑鱼生长适宜的饲料蛋白质和淀粉水平分别为45%和20%。     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate sources on the growth performance and hepatic carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum Linnaeus.)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary carbohydrate sources on the growth performance and hepatic carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile cobia. Six experimental diets were formulated to contain 20% glucose, sucrose, maltose, dextrin, corn starch and wheat starch respectively. The results indicated that fish fed the wheat starch and dextrin diets showed significantly better weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio compared with those fed the other diets. However, fish fed the glucose diet had a significantly lower survival and condition factor than those fed the other diets. There were significant differences in the total plasma glucose and triglyceride concentration in fish fed diets with different dietary carbohydrate sources. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell and leucocytes were significantly affected by the dietary carbohydrate sources. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) were significantly affected by the dietary carbohydrate sources, while fish fed the glucose diet showed higher G6PD, PFK and FBPase activities than those fed the other diets. These data indicated that dextrin and wheat starch were the most optimal carbohydrate sources for juvenile cobia.     

Dietary lipid level and source affect metabolic responses in hybrid catfish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus)

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dietary lipid source [linseed oil (LO, rich in 18:3 n?3); corn oil (CO, rich in 18:2 n?6); olive oil (OO, rich in 18:1n?9); and fish oil (FO, rich in LC‐PUFA)] and level (9% L and 18% L) on growth, body composition and selected plasma biochemistry parameters in hybrid catfish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus) juveniles. Moreover, liver histology (lipids, glycogen, cell vacuolization) and key metabolic enzyme activities were also evaluated. After 8 weeks of feeding, there were no differences in growth performance and whole‐body composition between groups. Plasma lipoprotein, muscle and liver composition, and G6PD and ME activity were affected by lipid level and source. No differences were observed between groups in hepatic ALT activity; however, AST activity was lower in fish fed the 9% L diets. Overall, liver and muscle fatty acid composition reflected that of diet FA composition, with increased n3/n6 ratio, high HUFA and low MUFA in fish fed FO compared with the VO diets. Higher liver glycogen content was observed in fish fed the 18% L than the 9% L diets, except for fish fed FO diet. Considering the experimental diets used, these results indicate that hybrid catfish can efficiently utilize VO supplementation as an energy source, without affecting growth performance and fillet composition.     

饥饿与再投喂对条石鲷幼鱼组织和血清中主要代谢酶活性及糖元含量的影响

为研究条石鲷幼鱼在饥饿与再投喂条件下机体各组织和血清中主要代谢酶活性和糖元含量的变化,以平均体质量为(10.0±1.0)g的条石鲷幼鱼为实验对象,实验共设5个处理组,分别为每天投喂(S0)、饥饿3 d(S3)、饥饿6 d(S6)、饥饿9 d(S9)和饥饿12 d(S12),饥饿后再恢复投喂至实验结束,整个实验同期对照30 d。在实验前、饥饿处理后和再投喂后分别取样,检测血清、肝脏和肌肉中碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)变化以及糖元含量。研究结果显示,饥饿与再投喂对血糖、肝糖元含量影响显著(P<0.05),饥饿导致血糖(S12除外)、肝糖元含量显著降低,再投喂后肝糖元含量基本恢复到饥饿前水平。然而,肌糖元含量在饥饿与再投喂过程中变化并不明显。实验期间,AKP活性和GPT活性在血清和肝脏中变化明显,且恢复投喂后血清与肝脏中的各代谢酶活性均基本恢复到初始活性水平。肌肉中AKP、ACP、GPT和GOT活性在整个饥饿与再投喂过程中变化则并不明显。分析认为,条石鲷幼鱼血糖浓度维持在(2.65±0.33)～(3.70±0.36)mmol/L是保持机体代谢活动所必须的水平;在条石鲷机体应对饥饿胁迫的过程中,血清和肝脏中主要代谢酶活性的相应变化对于保障机体在饥饿条件下的基础代谢起着至关重要的作用。     

Effect of guar gum on glucose and lipid metabolism in white sea bream Diplodus sargus

The aim of this study was to assess the role of soluble non-starch polysaccharide (guar gum) on white sea bream Diplodus sargus, glucose and lipid metabolism. A control diet was formulated to contain 40 % crude protein, 14 % crude lipids and 35 % pregelatinized maize starch, and three other diets were formulated similar to the control diet except for guar gum, which was included at 4 % (diet GG4), 8 % (diet GG8) or 12 % (diet GG12). Diets were fed to the fish for 9 weeks on a pair-feeding scheme. Guar gum had no effect on growth performance, feed efficiency, glycaemia, cholesterolaemia and plasma triacylglyceride levels. Hepatic glucokinase and pyruvate kinase activities, liver glycogen content and liver insulin-like growth factor-I gene expression were not affected by dietary guar gum, while fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activity was lower in fish fed guar gum–supplemented diets. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed diets GG4 and GG8 than in the control group. Overall, data suggest that in contrast to mammals guar gum had no effect on white sea bream glucose utilization and in lowering plasma cholesterol and triacylglyceride levels. However, it seems to contribute to lower endogenous glucose production.     

不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼的生长性能、饲料利用及糖代谢关键酶活力的影响

为探讨饲料中添加不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼幼鱼生长、饲料利用以及糖代谢关键酶活力的影响,进行了为期8周的生长实验。设计了3个小麦淀粉水平(5%、10%和30%)和2个脂肪水平(5%和10%)的3×2的两因子实验,配制了6种等氮的饲料,分别喂养平均体质量为(6.75±0.12)g的大黄鱼幼鱼。结果显示,饲料中小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼增重率(WG)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)、成活率(SR)、肝体比(HSI)和肥满度(CF)无显著交互作用,对脏体比(VSI)有显著交互作用。在同一脂肪水平下,淀粉水平为30%组WG和SGR显著高于10%淀粉组。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝糖原含量无显著交互作用,而对肌糖原含量有显著交互作用,在饲料脂肪水平为5%时,30%小麦淀粉水平下的肝糖原含量显著高于10%和20%淀粉水平,10%淀粉水平下的肌糖原含量显著高于20%和30%淀粉水平;在脂肪水平为10%时,10%淀粉水平下的肝糖原含量显著高于20%和30%淀粉水平,而30%小麦淀粉水平下的肌糖原含量显著高于10%和20%淀粉水平。小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、总胆固醇(TC)和葡萄糖(GLU)含量无显著交互作用,对总蛋白(TP)和甘油三酯(TG)交互作用显著。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝脏脂肪酶活性有显著的交互作用,对淀粉酶活性无显著交互作用;同一脂肪水平下,脂肪酶的活性随着淀粉水平的升高而升高,同一饲料淀粉水平下,饲料脂肪水平为10%组的脂肪酶活性显著高于5%组。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝脏丙酮酸激酶(PK)的活性有显著的交互作用,而对葡萄糖激酶(GK)、磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)、1,6-二磷酸果糖酶(FBPase)和6-磷酸葡萄糖酶(G6Pase)的活性均无显著交互作用。研究表明,当饲料脂肪水平为5%时,大黄鱼能够通过调节糖酵解关键酶活性及肝糖原含量来维持血糖平衡,改善对小麦淀粉的利用能力;而当脂肪水平为10%时,大黄鱼对小麦淀粉的利用能力降低。     

Long-term nutritional effects on the primary liver and kidney metabolism in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): adaptive response to a high-protein/non-carbohydrate diet and starvation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity

The adaptive response of the kinetics of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was studied in trout liver and kidney after feeding (control or high-protein/non-carbohydrate diet) or starving for 30 days, as well as influences on growth and other nutritive parameters. Typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics were found for the hepatic catalysis of G6PDH under all conditions studied, without evidence of sigmoidicity. The administration of a high-protein/non-carbohydrate diet (61.0% protein, 7.9% lipids) produced no significant changes in specific activity or other kinetic parameters of the liver enzyme. This nutritional situation caused a significant daily increase in relative growth (20%) and feed efficiency (13.5%), as well as a 13% decrease in the protein-conversion efficiency, with respect to the control diet (46% protein, 8% lipids, 22% carbohydrates). On the other hand, long-term starvation (30 days), as a lipolytic condition, significantly decreased the activity and catalytic efficiency of hepatic G6PDH, by almost 45%, without significant changes in the K_m and activity-ratio values. These changes agree with a fall in the intracellular concentration of the enzyme as a consequence of a protein-repression process. The activity of the renal G6PDH was less than in the liver of control fish, and no variation in kinetics was found under the high-protein diet or starvation. This behaviour clearly demonstrates that the kidney pentose-phosphate pathway showed no adaptive response in relation to synthesis of fatty acids and other lipids.     

The effects of exposure to water-soluble fractions of crude oil on selected histochemical parameters of the liver of Atlantic croaker, Micropogon undulatus L.

Abstract. Micropogon undulatus L. were sampled from Galveston Bay, Texas, and transported to the research laboratory. Groups of five fish were exposed to 5 and 10% dilutions of the water soluble fraction (WSF) of southern Louisiana crude oil for 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Selected histochemical parameters of liver sections from control and WSF-exposed fish were evaluated. Glycogen was reduced in amount while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lipid and cholesterol were increased in liver sections of WSF-exposed fish. These observations support a hypothesis that exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons increases mixed-function oxidase activity. The alterations were more obvious in sections from fish exposed to the higher level of the WSF. The histochemical parameters appeared most altered in hepatocytes near afferent hepatic blood vessels. These hepatocytes were the first cells of the liver to contact the pollutants.     

Different carbon sources affects biofloc volume,water quality and the survival and physiology of African catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis> fingerlings reared in an intensive biofloc technology system

A 6-week experiment was performed to compare different carbon sources, i.e. sucrose, glycerol and rice bran, to a nitrogen ratio of 15:1 in a biofloc-based African catfish Clarias gariepinus culture system. Catfish survival, growth, whole-body proximate composition, body indices, liver histopathology and glycogen content were measured. Each treatment was triplicated in glass aquaria with each replicate containing 50 fish (500 fish/m³) with an initial weight ± SD of 5.06 ± 0.05 g. Glycerol significantly increased total biofloc production, and both the sucrose and glycerol treatments generally had lower nitrogenous levels, compared to the control. These levels spiked at week 2 in the rice bran treatment, leading to significantly lower survival compared to all other treatments. At both weeks 3 and 6, liver histopathology of fish in the rice bran treatment revealed substantial vacuolation and less glycogen while the highest was in fish from the glycerol treatment. Fish growth was unaffected among the treatments, but survival was highest in the glycerol treatment. Rice bran appears unsuitable for C. gariepinus, likely due to being a slower-releasing carbon source. Instead, glycerol is recommended based on significantly higher biofloc production and subsequently improved water quality and survival of C. gariepinus during their nursery culture.     

Metabolic adjustments of Dentex dentex to prolonged starvation and refeeding

The particular metabolic strategies of the common dentex (Dentex dentex) to face a period of prolonged starvation and subsequent refeeding were assessed. Plasma metabolites, endogenous reserves, and the activity of key enzymes of intermediary metabolism in liver, white muscle, and heart were evaluated. Plasma glucose, total lipid, triglycerides, total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and protein levels, liver, and white muscle glycogen, and perivisceral, and muscle fat were significantly reduced by starvation, whereas liver lipid content was surprisingly increased. Those enzymes involved in phosphorylation and oxidation of glucose and lipid synthesis, as well as alanine aminotransferase activity, were significantly depressed in liver of starved fish. The increase in β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) indicated an enhanced fatty acid oxidation during starvation. Part of the acetyl-CoA generated by β-oxidation was oxidized in the hepatic Krebs cycle, as reflected the increased citrate synthase (CS) activity. The oxaloacetate required for the reaction catalized by CS activity would be supplied by aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity whose activity was also enhanced. Glutamate dehydrogenase also increased to deaminate the glutamate produced by transaminases, especially by the increased ASAT activity. Liver gluconeogenesis of starved fish was maintained at the same rate that in controls, with glycerol playing an important role as glucogenic substrate. The increased hepatic β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (β-OHBDH) activity indicates that part of the acetyl-CoA arriving from β-oxidation was being diverted for ketone bodies production with dentex liver playing an important role in providing ketone bodies as fuels for other tissues under such circumstances. Most enzyme activities in white muscle of starved dentex were significantly depressed. In heart, starvation induced an important inhibition of those enzymes involved in glucose and protein metabolism, whereas CS, HOAD, and β-OHBDH activities were maintained at control levels. Although several biomarkers assayed returned to control values after refeeding, many others did not, which indicate that after 3 weeks of refeeding, pre-starved dentex is still experiencing a transient period of metabolic adjustments directed toward the restoration of body mass.     

Gastrointestinal and hepatic enzyme activities in juvenile silvery-black porgy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparidentex hasta</Emphasis>) fed essential amino acid-deficient diets

As amino acids (AAs) are vital molecules in the metabolism of all living organisms and are the building blocks of enzymes, a 6-week feeding trial was conducted for determining the influence of dietary essential amino acid (EAA) deficiencies on pancreatic, plasma, and hepatic enzyme activities in silvery-black porgy (initial weight 4.7?±?0.01 g) juveniles. Eleven isoproteic (ca. 47%) and isoenergetic (ca. 20.5 MJ kg^?1) diets were formulated including a control diet, in which 60% of dietary nitrogen were provided by intact protein (fish meal, gelatin, and wheat meal) and 40% by crystalline AA. The other 10 diets were formulated by 40% reduction in each EAA from the control diet. At the end of the experiment, fish fed with threonine-deficient diet showed the lowest survival rate (P?<?0.05), whereas growth performance decreased in fish fed all EAA-deficient diets, although the reduction in body growth varied depending on the EAA considered. Pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, lipase, α-amylase, and carboxypeptidase A) activities significantly decreased in fish fed the EAA-deficient diets in comparison with fish fed the control diet (P?<?0.05). Fish fed with the arginine-deficient diet had the highest plasma and liver alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels (P?<?0.05). Plasma and liver lactate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase showed the highest and lowest values, respectively, in fish fed the arginine and lysine-deficient diets (P?<?0.05). Plasma metabolites were significantly affected by dietary EAA deficiencies (P?<?0.05). The results of this study suggesting dietary EAA deficiencies led to reduction in growth performance as well as pancreatic and liver malfunction. Furthermore, arginine and lysine are the most limited EAA for digestive enzyme activities and liver health in silvery-black porgy.     

Metabolic actions of glucagon-family hormones in liver

This review addresses direct and indirect metabolic actions of hormones co-encoded in the preproglucagon gene of fishes. Emphasis is placed on a critical analysis of the effects of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide (GLP) and the current knowledge of the respective modes of action is reviewed. In mammals GLPs exert no direct metabolic actions. In fish liver, GLP and glucagon act on similar targets of intermediary metabolism by enhancing flux through glycogenolysis, lipolysis and gluconeogenesis. Increases in substrate oxidation are not uniform. Hormonal activation of glycogen phosphorylase and triglyceride lipase and inhibition of pyruvate kinase are implicated in these actions. Hormone-dependent hyperglycemia, depletion of hepatic glycogen and increases in free fatty acids are noticeablein vivo. Glucagon also activates hepatic amino acid uptake and ammonia excretion. Glucagon actions are accompanied by large increases in hepatic cAMP and increased phosphorylation of pyruvate kinase. Metabolic effects measured after GLP administration are associated with minor, if any, increases in cAMP and effects on pyruvate kinase are variable. We hypothesize that different hepatic receptors with differing modes of intracellular message transduction are involved in glucagon and GLP actions while targetting identical metabolic routes. Responses of different species of fish cover a wide spectrum, and variation of response with the circannual cycle of experimental animals makes comparisons of results, even within one species, difficult.     

Growth, digestive enzyme activities and hepatic glycogen levels in juvenile Colossoma macropomum Cuvier from South America during feeding, starvation and refeeding

Abstract. Feeding trials with juvenile Colossoma macropomum Cuvier (approximately 40g) were carried out to study their protein requirements and their efficiency in metabolizing vegetable protein. Two groups of diets were used. In one group, the crude protein consisted exclusively of fish protein concentrate. In the second group the protein consisted of a mixture (55:45) of vegetable and animal protein without fish meal. In each group 30 and 50% protein levels were used. The highest weight increase (1·64%/day) and the lowest feeding rate were obtained with the 50% protein fish meal free diet. During the trial all fish accumulated visceral fat while body protein content decreased and dry matter increased. There was a high correlation between liver weight and liver glycogen. The highest amounts of liver glycogen were induced by diets containing fish meal and/or low protein content. In contrast lo visceral fat deposits, accumulated liver glycogen was of less significance for surviving starvation periods. The activity of digestive enzymes depends on both stomach and gut fullness. Trypsin activity, contrary to pepsin, was correlated with diet protein content, a-amylase activity was not correlated with diet composition.