Dietary probiotic supplementation in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared under cage culture production: effects on growth,fish welfare,flesh quality and intestinal microbiota

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on growth performance, fish welfare, sensory evaluation, freshness during ice storage and changes in intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The 9‐week feeding trial was conducted in cages under commercial conditions during the winter season, when water temperature decreased from 14°C to 7°C. Fish were fed either a diet without probiotic supplementation (control) or with 0.2% (2 × 10⁹ CFU kg^?1 diet) of multi‐strain probiotic bacteria (Bacillus sp., Pediococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Lactobacillus sp.). Fish weight was recorded at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 9 weeks. Growth performance was not affected by dietary probiotic supplementation. Alternative complement activity (ACH50) was significantly higher in fish fed the diet with probiotic (58.4 ± 3.7 units mL^?1) than in the control group (46.9 ± 3.1 units mL^?1) (P = 0.03). Several biochemical markers were altered by the dietary treatment. 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) (P < 0.01), glutathione S‐transferase (GST) (P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < 0.05) increased and lipid peroxidation (LP) (P < 0.01) decreased with dietary probiotic supplementation. Flesh quality and shelf‐life of fish stored on ice was not affected by dietary probiotic supplementation. Probiotic supplementation had a limited effect on the intestinal microbiota. Signal strength of the observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) differed between the control and treatment samples and could indicate variations in the abundance of certain OTUs. Microbiota adhering to the intestinal mucus varied between sampling points, indicating that changes were associated with water temperature.     

Effect of diets containing laurel seed oil on growth and fatty acid composition of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of replacing fish oil (FO) with laurel seed oil (LSO), as an alternative plant lipid source in diets on the growth and fatty acid composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; 111.47 ± 0.2 g mean individual weight). At the end of the feeding trial, survival was 100% in all treatments. No significant differences were seen in growth between the dietary groups (P > 0.05). The protein, lipid and ash contents were not significantly different among the groups (P > 0.05); however, there was a significant difference in protein and ash content between the treatment groups and the initial, and between the 50LSO group and the initial group, respectively (P < 0.05). The viscerosomatic index (VSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) values were not affected by increasing LSO percentages in the diets. The n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration increased with increasing LSO levels in the diets. In contrast, the n‐3 PUFA levels decreased with increasing LSO levels in the diets. The liver and muscle were used for the analysis of fatty acids. The highest level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations was recorded in fillet of fish fed the FO diet and the lowest in those fed the 50LSO diet. However, EPA and DHA ratios in the liver of fish fed the 75LSO diet were higher than those in fillet of fish fed the FO and 50LSO diets. No significant differences were seen in fatty acid composition between the dietary groups (P > 0.05). Based on the results of growth performance and fatty acid composition of the experimental fish in this study, it can be concluded that the 75% concentration of laurel seed oil performed best among the diets tested in the experiment.     

Inclusion of macroalgae meal (Macrocystis pyrifera) as feed ingredient for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): effect on flesh fatty acid composition

The use of macroalgae as an additional component in animal feeding has been studied. However, information on how it could influence muscle composition of fish body is scarce. This study evaluates four diets with different macroalgae inclusion levels (0%, 1.5%, 3% and 6%) to test the effect on body fatty acid composition of rainbow trout. Tanks with a volume of 600 L were stocked with 60.6 ± 7.9 g fish at a density of 45 individuals tank^?1 and fed for 124 days. At the end of the experiment there were not significant differences (P<0.05) in muscle proximate composition among fish fed the different treatments. However, it was determined that inclusion of 3% and 6% of macroalgae meal resulted in a significant increase (P<0.05) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in muscle. In summary, macroalgae meal in rainbow trout diets do not enhance the quantity of protein and lipid contents at muscle level but an addition of 3–6% might contribute to increase the level of PUFAs, specially EPA, DHA and LIN. Thus, use of macroalgae meal might help to increase lipid quality content in the final product due the beneficial effects of PUFAs for human health.     

冷藏和冰藏条件下虹鳟鱼鱼片品质变化研究

为了科学地了解虹鳟鱼(Oncorhynchus mykiss)鱼片贮藏过程中的品质变化规律,以建立高效的品质控制技术,研究了虹鳟鱼鱼片在冷藏(3±1)℃和冰藏(0±1)℃条件下挥发性盐基氮(TVB-N)、色泽、腺苷三磷酸(ATP)关联物、K值及菌落总数(TAC)等指标的变化,评价不同温度对虹鳟鱼片品质的影响。结果显示:虹鳟鱼片TVB-N的增长速度在冷藏条件下显著高于冰藏条件,冷藏至第9天为20.72 mg/100g,冰藏至第15天为25.76 mg/100g;冷藏至第6天TAC为7.40 lg cfu/g,冰藏至第12天TAC为8.27 lg cfu/g;与冰藏相比,冷藏条件下虹鳟鱼片K值较高;肌苷酸(IMP)含量分别在冷藏8 h(8.36μmol/g)和冰藏24 h(8.70μmol/g)达到最大值,即冷藏和冰藏虹鳟鱼片的最佳食用时间分别是宰杀后的8 h和24 h。结合各项指标变化,冷藏和冰藏虹鳟鱼片的货架期分别为6 d和12 d。     

Dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis,Gomont, 1892) improved the flesh quality and shelf life of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss,Walbaum, 1792) fed fish meal or plant‐based diet

This study was carried out to determine the effects of fish meal or plant‐based diets with supplementation of dietary Spirulina (4%) on shelf life of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Rainbow trout (initial weight: ~135 g) were fed four experimental diets (fish meal‐based FM, plant meal‐based‐PM, Spirulina included at 4% of fish meal‐based‐FM/S or plant meal‐based PM/S) for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, trout were stored on ice at 4°C for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. The chemical, microbiological and sensory analyses of fish were subjected to each sampling days for flesh quality evaluation. TBA of supplemented dietary Spirulina was lower than that non‐supplemented dietary Spirulina. pH values of all groups decreased significantly between days 0 and 20 during the storage period (p < 0.05). Luminosity (L*) value of all groups increased with time in storage period. Fish fed Spirulina supplemented diets showed an increased red/green tonality (a*) (p < 0.05) compared with fish fed non‐Spirulina supplemented diets. In the end of the storage period, the total coliforms values of fish fed with PM/S diet lower than that of other all diets. In conclusion, dietary Spirulina could be allowed the shelf life of the rainbow trout to be extended.     

Improvement of flesh quality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed supranutritional dietary selenium yeast is associated with the inhibited muscle protein degradation

Supranutritional dietary selenium (Se) has been demonstrated beneficial for fish health, however, its effects on fish flesh quality remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of supranutritional dietary Se on the flesh quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their potential mechanism. Fish were fed a basal diet supplemented with or without graded Se yeast for 10 weeks. Results showed that Se supplementation significantly increased fillet crude protein and enhanced fillet water‐holding capacity as well as fillet firmness. Supplementing with both 2 and 4 mg/kg Se significantly downregulated the expressions of two autophagy–lysosome‐related genes (autophagy‐related 12‐like and gamma‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor‐associated protein‐like 1) in fish muscle, while supplementing with 4 mg/kg Se also significantly downregulated the expression of two ubiquitin–proteasome‐related genes (muscle RING finger 2 and F‐box protein 25). Correlation analysis indicated that the improved fillet quality parameters were closely correlated with the expressions of these differentially expressed genes. This study revealed that dietary Se was effective for the improvement of rainbow trout flesh quality, and the improved fish flesh quality was associated with the inhibited protein degradation in fish muscle.     

Antioxidant and immune defences of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) offered plant oils differing in fatty acid profiles from early stages

The antioxidant defence and immune response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that had received plant oils, rich in either n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; linseed oil) or n‐6 PUFA (safflower oil) was evaluated upon antigen exposure. The fish employed in this study had been offered the diets for 18 months from the first feeding. Rainbow trout from each group were injected intraperitoneally with formalin‐killed bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) or were sham‐injected and observations were made 24 h later. Though the fish fed safflower oil seemed to be under relatively greater oxidative stress, the antioxidant defences (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) were as effective as in those fed linseed oil. The humoral (alternate complement activity and lysozyme activity) and cellular (phagocytic activity and lymphocyte proliferation) immune responses were not significantly affected by the oil offered. With the exception of reactive oxygen production that was significantly greater in the linseed oil fed fish, both groups did not differ greatly in their immune responses after antigen exposure. Thus, fish fed safflower oil that was deficient in n‐3 PUFA was able to sustain most of the critical responses similar to those fed linseed oil suggesting that plant oils of both fatty acid categories were effective for this fresh water fish.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of lysozyme on growth performance and plasma biochemical parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary lysozyme supplementation on growth performance and plasma biochemical parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Graded levels of lysozyme [0 (control), 150, 300, 450 and 600 mg kg^?1 diet] were fed to fish (initial average weight 7.76 g) for 10 weeks. Dietary lysozyme supplementation regardless of inclusion level generally improved the growth, feed utilization and nutrient retention, but significant differences were mainly observed between the 450 or 600 mg kg^?1 lysozyme group and the control group. Lysozyme supplementation generally decreased the plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, but significant difference was only observed in the ALT activity between the 450 mg kg^?1 lysozyme group and the control group. In contrast, lysozyme supplementation generally increased the plasma alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme activities, but significant difference was only observed in the lysozyme activity between the 600 mg kg^?1 lysozyme group and the control group. Lysozyme supplementation generally increased the plasma antioxidant activities of enzymes (including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and total antioxidant capacity, but decreased the plasma malondialdehyde level. These results suggest that dietary 450–600 mg kg^?1 lysozyme inclusion may improve the growth and non‐specific immune response of rainbow trout.     

Effects of inulin and fructooligosaccharides on growth performance,body chemical composition and intestinal microbiota of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on growth performance, whole body and fillet chemical composition and intestinal microbiota of rainbow trouts reared under fish farming conditions. Trouts fed inulin‐ or FOS‐containing diets (5 and 10 g kg^?1) exhibited significant (P = 0.030) body weight gain improvements compared with controls. An increase in gross energy (P = 0.044) and Ca content (P = 0.034) in the whole body of trouts was observed for prebiotic treatments. A decrease in crude protein content (P = 0.009) and a tendency to increase total lipid and gross energy contents (P = 0.090 and P = 0.069, respectively) were detected in the fillet tissue for prebiotic treatments. These results clearly indicate that inulin and FOS improved the intestinal absorption of Ca and that the increased amount was predominantly incorporated into bone tissue. Inulin reduced (P = 0.027) the intestinal population of Vibrio spp. in the distal region to such an extent that no viable counts were detected. The presence of Flavobacterium spp. was not detected in any group, and the numbers of Aeromonas spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Gram‐positive bacteria were not affected (P > 0.05).     

Relationships between growth and disease resistance in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Rainbow trout from 23 families were evaluated for growth and resistance to the bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) caused by IHN virus. Average family weights were between 161 and 263 g with an average of 225 g at 213 days post‐fertilization with specific growth rates ranging from 2.37 to 2.88. Per cent survival of fish challenged with F. psychrophilum was between 18% and 100%, while for those challenged with IHNV, the range was between 12% and 93%. Significant positive correlations were found for end body weight and resistance to IHN (P < 0.05) and for early body weight and resistance to BCWD (P < 0.1). However, no significant correlations were detected between resistance to both pathogens or disease resistance and overall genetic diversity or diversity within the major histocompatibility locus.     

Effect of conjugated linolenic acid (cis-9, trans-11, cis-13–18:3) on growth performance and lipid composition of fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

ABSTRACT:   This study investigated the effect of conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) on the growth and lipid composition of fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss . Thirty individuals in each tank with three dietary treatments and duplicate groups were subjected to three dietary levels (0:4, 2:2, 4:0) of CLNA and linolenic acid (LNA) at 16°C in the laboratory for a period of 9 weeks. Punicic acid ( cis -9, trans -11, cis -13–18:3) and linseed oil were used as sources of CLNA and LNA, respectively. The hepatosomatic index and body lipid content of the 2% CLNA dietary treatment increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) with respect to the control (LNA treatment). But the specific growth rate and percent gain did not improve significantly. After 6 weeks' observation, the 4% CLNA dietary treatment exhibited higher mortality and liver weight but lower weight gains (1.1–1.9 g). No significant differences were observed in the results of the feed efficiency and moisture as well as the protein content of the whole body among the treatments. Incorporation of CLNA into fish tissues was at a distinctly higher level in neutral lipids than in polar lipids. Increased levels of 22:6n-3 were found in the 4% CLNA treatment but decreased levels were found in the 2% CLNA treatment in both neutral and polar fractions. In the CLNA treatments, saturated fatty acid was relatively unaffected, the level of 18:1 was increased and the level of 18:2n-6 was decreased. These results indicate that the lower level (2%) of CLNA had no significant effect on the growth and the higher level (4%) of CLNA caused higher mortality as well as attenuating the growth of the fish. Dietary CLNA accumulated in a greater amount in the neutral lipids and modulated the fatty acid composition in the whole body of rainbow trout fingerlings.     

Effects of ration level in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), on sensory characteristics, lipid content and fatty acid composition

Effects of feed ration levels (RLs) and age on sensory characteristics, fillet lipid content (LC) and fatty acid composition (FA) of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), fillet were investigated in a longitudinal feeding experiment. Daily RLs were administered as a percentage of the ration size necessary for expected maximum growth (RL100). Fish on RL50, RL75, RL100 and RL200 were sampled at 1.4, 2.0 and 2.4 years of age. Analyses of LC and FA were carried out on a fillet cross-section. Sensory analyses were performed by an expert panel using ranking and conventional profiling. RL had no effect on the intensity of fresh smell or any sensory characteristic of taste or consistency of fish on RLs over 75%, irrespective of age; fish on RL50, however, scored significantly lower for fresh taste and firmness. Age had no effect on the intensity of total taste, whereas fresh taste increased and rancidity decreased with increasing age irrespective of RL. LC related strongly to RL and age, and increased up to 2.0 years of age. An increase in LC resulted in a higher level of monounsaturated FA and a lower level of polyunsaturated FA. A restriction to RL75 had no negative effects on sensory characteristics, LC or FA of the fillet.     

The effect of culture on morphology, lipid and fatty acid composition, and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cells

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cell cultures were obtained by trypsinization of the tissue and grown in Leibovitz L-15 medium. Lipid class compositions, and fatty acid profiles of total lipids and individual phospholipid classes were determined at different times of culture. The metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was investigated by incubating primary cultures after 7 and 14 days with [1-¹⁴C]18:2n-6 and [1-¹⁴C-]18:3n-3. The change in morphology between epithelial-like primary cultures and fibroblastic-like secondary subcultures was accompanied by alterations in the lipid composition. Polar lipids became predominant by 14 days in culture. The relative proportions of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the most abundant phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol and cholesterol increased significantly, while sphingomyelin decreased. Saturated fatty acids, 18:1n-9, n-6 and n-9PUFA were more abundant in total lipid in cultures at 14 days and 4 months than in cells initially isolated which contained higher percentages of longer chain monoenes and n-3PUFA. The changes in fatty acid composition with time in culture were observed in all the major phospholipid classes. Rainbow trout skin cells in culture desaturated and elongated both 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, with 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 being the most abundant products, respectively. PC presented the highest incorporation of radioactivity, especially following incubation with 18:3n-3. Lipid metabolism in general increased with the age of primary cultures, with both the amount of C18 PUFA incorporated and metabolized by desaturation/elongation significantly increased in 14 day cultures compared to 7 day cultures. Product/precursor ratios calculated for both n-6 and n-3 fatty acids showed that, while 6 desaturase activity was increased significantly with cell age, 5 desaturase activity was more affected by the fatty acid series, with 18:3n-3 being more readily transformed to 20:5n-3 than 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6. Further desaturation of 20:5n-3 to hexaenes was low. Overall, the data suggested that the trout skin cell cultures were more similar to mammalian skin fibroblasts than mammalian epidermal/keratinocyte cultures.     

Effect of protein source and nutrient density on growth efficiency, histology and plasma amino acid concentration of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

The effects of protein source and nutrient density on growth efficiency, nutrient digestibility and plasma amino acid concentrations of rainbow trout were evaluated. A 3 by 2 factorial treatment design with three protein sources, fish meal–barley (F–B), plant concentrates (PC) and plant meals (PM), and two nutrient densities were used. A commercial reference diet was also fed. Triplicate tanks of 30 fish (initial wt. 28 g) were fed each diet, and the final weight averaged 240 g fish⁻¹. Protein source and nutrient density affected feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Weight gain of trout fed the PC and PM diets was approximately 10% less than fish fed the F–B diets. Protein retention was affected by protein source, but not nutrient density, and was the highest for the fish fed diets containing fish meal and the lowest for the fish fed PM diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients and apparent amino acid availabilities of the diets corresponded with differences in weight gain. This study provides further evidence that growth rates of trout fed fish meal‐free diets, using conventional and concentrated plant protein ingredients, are good but some limitation to growth exists in the fish meal‐free diets.     

Identification of a novel gill-specific calpain from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Calpains are calcium-dependent neutral proteases responsible for many cellular functions. The two forms of calpain ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues are known as μ-calpain and m-calpain. We report here the identification of a novel calpain that is similar to but distinct from the μ- and m-calpains in rainbow trout. The cDNA of the novel gene is 2623 bp in length with a single open reading frame. The predicted protein (676 amino acids) contains the conserved calpain characteristic domains that include: domain I (pro peptide), II (cysteine catalytic site), III (electrostatic switch), and IV (calmodulin-like) with five Ca²⁺-binding EF hands. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that the novel calpain gene is predominantly expressed in rainbow trout gills. Comparison of the novel protein with the ubiquitously expressed calpains and several mammalian tissue-specific calpains revealed that the novel calpain is an orthologue of the mammalian digestive tract specific calpain (calpain 9).     

Effect of acute and chronic toxicity of paraquat on immune system and growth performance in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

In this study, the impact of paraquat (1, 1‐dimethyl 4, 4‐bipyridiniumdicholoride) on rainbow trout immune system and growth parameters was evaluated. In acute exposure, fish were distributed into four groups and exposed to 0, 54, 90 and 150 mg L^?1 of paraquat for 96 h. In chronic trial, fish were allocated into six groups and exposed to 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg L^?1 of paraquat for 30 days. Growth performance (percentage weight gain, condition factor and specific growth rate) and innate immune parameters (lysozyme, haemolytic complement activity and total immunoglobulin) were evaluated. Experimental data showed a LD₅₀ about 48.2 mg of paraquat per litre. Immunotoxic proprieties of paraquat especially in higher doses were shown in both trials. Total weight was also significantly decreased in chronic exposure when fish was subjected to 10 and 20 mg L^?1 paraquat whereas other growth parameters were not affected in this experiment. In general, these results suggest that paraquat exposure in rainbow trout could suppress the immunological and growth parameters.     

Effect of partial replacement of dietary fish meal by soybean meal with betaine attractant supplementation on growth performance and fatty acid profiles of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary incorporation of soybean meal for fish meal replacement and supplementation of betaine as an attractant on growth performance and fatty acid profiles of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juvenile trout were fed practical diets, with increasing soybean levels and betaine supplementations. The experimental diets consisted of a control diet with fish meal as the sole protein source (control) and no attractant, 25% soybean‐1% betaine diet (SBM25‐B1), 50% soybean‐2% betaine diet (SBM50‐B2), and 50% soybean‐0% betaine diet (SBM50‐B0). Average body weight was 12.69 ± 0.16 g at the beginning of experiments. Following 54 days feeding programme with experimental diets, average body weights reached 47.45 ± 1.22 g, 58.11 ± 1.77 g, 56.34 ± 1.87 g and 53.76 ± 1.74 g in the control, SBM25‐B1, SBM50‐B2 and SBM50‐B0 groups respectively. As compared with control treatment, significant differences were observed in weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake of 1% betaine treatment at 25% soybean‐meal‐incorporated diet (p < .05), but no differences were observed in feed conversation ratio and survival rates (p > .05). Compared with the control treatment, betaine‐supplemented groups had significantly higher total saturated fatty acid contents (p < .05). On the other hand, the control treatment showed a significantly higher level of monounsaturated fatty acid than the betaine‐supplemented groups (p < .05). Significant differences were observed in fatty acid profile of 1% betaine‐supplemented group (p < .05) compared with the control. Present findings revealed that 1% betaine supplementation with dietary incorporation of soybean meal at 25% level positively influenced growth performance, feed utilization and fatty acid profiles of rainbow trout juveniles.     

Effect and interaction of rainbow trout strain (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and diet type on growth and nutrient retention

Eight strains of rainbow trout were introgressed to develop a single strain (H‐ARS) that was selected for faster growth when fed a fishmeal‐free, plant‐based diet (Selection Diet). For four generations, families from these crosses were fed the Selection Diet and selected for increased weight gain. Growth and nutrient retention were compared among H‐ARS and two parental strains, the House Creek (HSC) and Fish Lake (FL) fed either a fish meal or Selection diet for 12 weeks. There was a significant effect of strain (P < 0.01), but not diet on weight gain, and a significant interaction of strain by diet (P < 0.05). The H‐ARS trout gained more weight averaged across diet (991% of initial wt.) than the HC (924%) or FL trout (483%). The FL trout fed the fish meal diet gained more weight than FL trout fed the selection diet (510% vs 456%). Conversely, H‐ARS trout fed the plant‐based diet gained more weight than those fed the fish meal diet (1009% vs 974%). HSC trout had similar weight gain fed either diet (922% vs 926%). A significant effect of strain on protein retention (P < 0.01) was observed, along with a significant strain by diet interaction (P < 0.02). The results demonstrate that rainbow trout can be selectively improved to grow on a plant‐based diet.     

Arginine effects on biochemical composition of sperm in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The present study investigated the effect of arginine on seminal plasma composition in rainbow trout. Male rainbow trout broodstocks (2500 ± 200 g) were fed five practical diets (each consisting of three triplicates) supplemented with Arginine at 0.50%, 1.50% and 2.00%. The control group were fed without arginine. Broodstock feeding lasted for 90 days, and then fish semen was sampled. Results indicated no significant differences in LDH, ALP, Fe²⁺ and phosphorous content among the different treatments. The lowest levels of AST and ALT and the highest levels of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions were observed in the treatment fed with 1.50% arginine, which showed significant differences from other treatments (P < 0.05). Moreover, the amount of Cl^?, Na⁺ and K⁺ ions was significantly increased in the seminal plasma in fish fed diets containing arginine in comparison with the control. As the amount of arginine was increased, the levels of uric acid became significantly greater in contrast to urea and glucose levels. The highest amounts of cholesterol, fructose and total protein were observed in treatments fed on 2.00%, 0.50% and 1.00% arginine, respectively, showing significant differences from other treatments (P < 0.05). The highest pH value was assayed in the 1.50% arginine treatment. Results indicated that arginine had a potential efficacy on semen quality in rainbow trout broodstocks.