Effect of normal and waxy maize starch on growth, food utilization and hepatic glucose metabolism in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

We determined the effect of dietary starch on growth performance and feed utilization in European sea bass juveniles. Data on the dietary regulation of key hepatic enzymes of the glycolytic, gluconeogenic, lipogenic and amino acid metabolic pathways (hexokinase, HK; glucokinase, GK; pyruvate kinase, PK; fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, FBPase; glucose-6-phosphatase, G6Pase; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD; alanine aminotransferase, ALAT; aspartate aminotransferase, ASAT and glutamate dehydrogenase, GDH) were also measured. Five isonitrogenous (48% crude protein) and isolipidic (14% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 10% normal starch (diet NS10), 10% waxy starch (diet WS10), 20% normal starch (diet NS20), 20% waxy starch (diet WS20) or no starch (control diet). Another diet was formulated with no carbohydrate, and contained 68% crude protein and 14% crude lipids (diet HP). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial weight: 23.3 g) on an equivalent feeding scheme for 12 weeks. The best growth performance and feed efficiency were achieved with fish fed the HP diet. Neither the level nor the nature of starch had measurable effects on growth performance of sea bass juveniles. Digestibility of starch was higher with waxy starch and decreased with increasing levels of starch in the diet. Whole-body composition and plasma metabolites, mainly glycemia, were not affected by the level and nature of the dietary starch. Data on enzyme activities suggest that dietary carbohydrates significantly improve protein utilization associated with increased glycolytic enzyme activities (GK and PK), as well as decreased gluconeogenic (FBPase) and amino acid catabolic (GDH) enzyme activities. The nature of dietary carbohydrates tested had little influence on performance criteria.     

Growth and product quality of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) as affected by dietary protein and lipid sources

A 12‐week feeding trial was undertaken to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of marine raw materials in the diet with soybean meal and beef tallow on growth and product quality of European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Based on growth, feed efficiency and chemical composition, soybean meal was found to be an unsuitable ingredient for eel diets as a substitute for fishmeal (25% on a protein basis), probably because of the low digestibility of its carbohydrate content. However, beef tallow can be used to replace 50% of fish oil without reduction in growth, provided that digestible carbohydrates are present in the diet. No major effects of protein and lipid sources in the diet were found on fillet chemical composition. Sensory analysis revealed no significant differences between fish fed the control and the experimental diets, with the exception of salty taste which was significantly higher in fish fed combined soybean meal and beef tallow compared with fish fed the control diet.     

A Holistic View of Dietary Carbohydrate Utilization in Lobster: Digestion,Postprandial Nutrient Flux,and Metabolism

Crustaceans exhibit a remarkable variation in their feeding habits and food type, but most knowledge on carbohydrate digestion and utilization in this group has come from research on few species. The aim of this study was to make an integrative analysis of dietary carbohydrate utilization in the spiny lobster Panulirus argus. We used complementary methodologies such as different assessments of digestibility, activity measurements of digestive and metabolic enzymes, and post-feeding flux of nutrients and metabolites. Several carbohydrates were well digested by the lobster, but maize starch was less digestible than all other starches studied, and its inclusion in diet affected protein digestibility. Most intense hydrolysis of carbohydrates in the gastric chamber of lobster occurred between 2–6 h after ingestion and afterwards free glucose increased in hemolymph. The inclusion of wheat in diet produced a slow clearance of glucose from the gastric fluid and a gradual increase in hemolymph glucose. More intense hydrolysis of protein in the gastric chamber occurred 6–12 h after ingestion and then amino acids tended to increase in hemolymph. Triglyceride concentration in hemolymph rose earlier in wheat-fed lobsters than in lobsters fed other carbohydrates, but it decreased the most 24 h later. Analyses of metabolite levels and activities of different metabolic enzymes revealed that intermolt lobsters had a low capacity to store and use glycogen, although it was slightly higher in wheat-fed lobsters. Lobsters fed maize and rice diets increased amino acid catabolism, while wheat-fed lobsters exhibited higher utilization of fatty acids. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the type of carbohydrate ingested had a profound effect on overall metabolism. Although we found no evidence of a protein-sparing effect of dietary carbohydrate, differences in the kinetics of their digestion and absorption impacted lobster metabolism determining the fate of other nutrients.     

Influence of dietary composition on growth and energy reserves in tench (Tinca tinca)

The effects of different protein, lipid and carbohydrate diets on growth and energy storage in tench, Tinca tinca L., were studied. Over a 2-month period fish were fed four different diets: control, protein-enriched, carbohydrate-enriched and lipid-enriched. The best growth rates were obtained with the control and protein-enriched diets; the carbohydrate diet produced the worst results (lowest specific growth rate, weight gain, nutritional index and hepatosomatic index). These results suggest that it is not advisable to reduce dietary fish protein below 35%, and that it is not possible to obtain a protein-sparing effect of either lipids or carbohydrates, at least in our experimental conditions. The high-protein diet resulted in the storage of energy excess as muscle proteins and hepatic glycogen. Tench fed the high-carbohydrate diet stored carbohydrates as muscle glycogen and reduced plasma triglycerides. Finally, both liver and muscle lipid content were in positive correlation to dietary lipid.     

The IMTA-cultivated Chlorophyta Ulva spp. as a sustainable ingredient in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets

Increasing levels of a mixture of Ulva spp. produced in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system were evaluated in Nile tilapia juveniles for partial replacement of dietary fish meal. A control diet (CTRL) was compared with three experimental diets containing 10 % (U10), 15 % (U15), and 20 % (U20) of Ulva spp. meal. Triplicate groups of fish (13 g initial body weight) were fed each diet for 63 days at 26 °C. Nutrient apparent digestibility coefficients and nitrogen retention efficiency did not vary significantly among diets. By the end of the trial, all groups of fish more than tripled their initial body weight. Specific growth rate and final body weight of U10 diet were similar to CTRL and significantly higher than U15 and U20 diets. Increasing Ulva dietary incorporation levels significantly increased feed conversion ratio (FCR), from 1.0 (CTRL) to 1.4 (U20). Fish fed with U10 diet had the highest protein efficiency ratio and nitrogen retention efficiency allowing this fish to growth and reach a final body weight similar to the CTRL group. Protein content was highest in fish fed with the CTRL diet, whereas the highest lipid content was observed in fish fed with U20 diet. The results show that the incorporation of IMTA-produced Ulva meal in Nile tilapia diets is possible up to 10 % without compromising growth performance, protein utilization, and protein retention of juveniles. The high capacity of Nile tilapia to digest all experimental diets suggests that Ulva meal is a practical partial replacement for fish meal in Nile tilapia diets.     

Energy metabolism and protein balance in growing rats fed different levels of dietary fibre and protein

A study was performed to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary fibre (DF) and dietary protein on visceral organ size, digestibility, nitrogen balance and energy metabolism in rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats, initial body weight about 76 g, were used in a factorial design consisting of three levels of DF (low, 100 g/kg DM; medium, 250 g/kg DM and high, 290 g/kg DM) and two levels of dietary protein (low, 120 g/kg DM and high, 223 g/kg DM). The added fibre source was soybean hulls and Danish fish meal was used as sole source of dietary protein. Measurements of gas-exchange were done on six rats (one group) while urine and faeces were collected individually. The ratio of food/empty body gain increased (P < 0.05) with increasing DF and decreasing levels of dietary protein. The weight of the digestive tract was larger (P < 0.05) in rats fed the high fibre diet than in those fed the low fibre diet. The digestibility of nutrients and energy decreased linearly with increasing level of soybean fibre (P < 0.05). An increased intake of DF was associated with a concomitant loss of protein and energy to faeces. The microbial degradation of NSP and other unabsorbed carbohydrates caused considerably changes in N metabolism of the colon. In rats fed the low protein diets increased levels of DF decreased N excretion in urine and increased N excretion in faeces, while the ratio of retained/digested protein remained constant. When rats were fed the high protein diet protein retention dropped in response to DF both absolute and relative to digested amount, indicating that energy intake could be a limiting factor. Heat production as a percentage of metabolizable energy (HP/ME) was higher (P < 0.05) in rats fed the low protein diet than in rats fed the high protein diet, but no significant difference was found among DF levels.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate-to-lipid ratios on growth and feed utilization in Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris Günther)

An 8‐week growth trial was carried out in a semi‐recirculation system at 26 ± 0.5°C to investigate the optimal dietary carbohydrate‐to‐lipid (CHO:L) ratio for carnivorous Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris Günther). Triplicate tanks of fish were assigned to each of five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with different carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratios (0.75, 1.48, 1.98, 2.99 and 5.07). The results showed that a higher specific growth rate (SGR) and feed rate (FR) were observed in the fish fed diet ratios of 1.98 CHO:L (P < 0.05). Overloading dietary carbohydrate (5.07 CHO:L ratio) caused skeletal malformations. Apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADC_d) significantly increased with dietary CHO:L ratio (P < 0.05), while significantly higher apparent digestibility of protein (ADC_p) and apparent digestibility of energy (ACD_e) was observed only in the 1.98 CHO:L group (P < 0.05). Whole body contents of dry matter, lipid and energy significantly increased as the CHO:L ratio decreased (P < 0.05). The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was highest at 1.98 CHO:L ratio (P < 0.05). Highest dietary CHO:L ratio resulted in lower liver glycogen, liver lipid, plasma glucose and plasma triacylglycerol (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in plasma total cholesterol (P > 0.05). High dietary CHO:L ratio caused pathological changes in fish morphology and liver histology. Based on maximum growth, the optimal carbohydrate‐to‐lipid ratio was 1.98 for Chinese longsnout catfish.     

Evaluation of safflower meal as a protein source in diets of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss,Walbaum, 1792)]*

The effects of different levels of safflower meal (a residue of the plant oil extraction process) in diets of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and body composition were investigated. Four different diets containing 0% (Control group), 10% (Diet 1), 15% (Diet 2) and 20% (Diet 3) safflower meal were formulated for the fish with a mean weight of 132.70 ± 0.75 g fed for 70 days. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences among dietary treatments for weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). There were also no differences in the digestibility of crude protein and crude lipid between groups (P > 0.05). Supplementation of safflower meal in the diets also had no adverse effects on body composition. The results indicate that safflower meal is a promising feed ingredient and can be used up to a concentration of 20% in the rainbow trout diet with no adverse effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility or body composition.     

Dietary carbohydrates induce changes in glucosensing capacity and food intake of rainbow trout

We hypothesize that variations in dietary carbohydrate levels produce changes in glucosensor parameters in previously characterized glucosensing areas (hypothalamus and hindbrain) related with the regulation of food intake of a carnivorous fish species like rainbow trout. Therefore, we fed trout with standard, carbohydrate-free (CF) or high-carbohydrate (HC) diets for 10 days to assess changes in glucosensing system and food intake. Fish fed CF diet displayed hypoglycemia and increased food intake. Fish fed a HC diet displayed hyperglycemia and decreased food intake. Changes in food intake due to dietary carbohydrates were accompanied in hypothalamus and hindbrain of fish fed with HC diet by changes in parameters involved in glucosensing, such as increased glucose, glucose 6-phosphate, and glycogen levels and increased glucokinase (GK), glycogen synthase, and pyruvate kinase activities as well as increased GK and GLUT2 expression. All those results address for the first time in fish, despite the relative intolerance to glucose of carnivorous species, that dietary carbohydrates are important regulators of the glucosensing system in carnivorous fish, suggesting that the information generated by this system can be associated with the changes observed in food intake.     

中华倒刺鲃幼鱼饲料蛋白质需求量的研究

以白鱼粉为蛋白源,设计了6个不同蛋白质含量(20.49%、26.48%、34.20%、41.02%、49.94%和55.86%,分别表示为D1、D2、D3、D4、D5和D6)的等能饲料,采用室内循环水养殖系统,在水温为(27.5±0.5)℃的条件下对中华倒刺鲃幼鱼进行10周的养殖实验,探讨中华倒刺鲃幼鱼对饲料蛋白质的需求量。每个处理设4个重复,每个重复12尾鱼。结果显示：干物质摄食率(FRdm)随饲料蛋白质含量升高呈先降低然后稳定的趋势;蛋白质摄食率(FRp)与饲料蛋白质含量呈正相关关系(r=0.982,p<0.01)。干物质表观消化率随饲料蛋白质含量增加而降低,蛋白质消化率在各组间无显著差异。随饲料蛋白质含量由D1逐渐增加至D4,体重特定生长率(SGRw)、能量特定生长率(SGRe)和饲料效率(FE)均显著增高(p<0.05),而D4、D5和D6组间无显著差异,其中D4组的三个指标值均最高,分别为(0.97±0.04)%/d、(0.87±0.04)%/d、(68.96±3.00)%。蛋白质效率(PER)、蛋白质累积率(PPV)和能量累积率(EPV)在各饲料组间均存在显著差异。以SGRw、SGRe和FE为指标,采用折线模型分析表明,中华倒刺鲃幼鱼的最适饲料蛋白质含量为39.6%－42.2%。     

饲料碳水化合物水平对南方鲇生长的影响

2002年6—8月对南方鲇(SilurusmeridionalisChen)(初始体重12.93±0.13g)进行人工配合饲料的喂养实验。实验以白鱼粉、玉米油、糊化玉米淀粉分别作为蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物(CBH)原料。配制等蛋白质(含量为40%),等脂肪(含量为10%),不同CBH梯度的6组饲料,饲料CBH水平分别设计为0%,6%,12%,18%,24%,30%。实验每水平设4个重复,采用室内循环水养殖系统,在27.5℃下以饱足日粮水平喂养8周。实验结果表明:随着饲料淀粉水平的增加,摄食率和生长率呈先增加后降低的趋势;当饲料CBH水平不超过18%时,不会对饲料成分的消化率产生显著影响,但添加量超过18%会降低CBH的消化率。综合实验结果分析:南方鲇生长的最适CBH为12%—18%。       

Hepatic glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase responses to dietary glucose and starch in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles reared at two temperatures

The effects of carbohydrate sources/complexity and rearing temperature on hepatic glucokinase (GK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activities and gene expression were studied in gilthead sea bream juveniles. Two isonitrogenous (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (19% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 20% waxy maize starch or 20% glucose. Triplicate groups of fish (63.5 g initial body weight) were fed each diet to near satiation during four weeks at 18 degrees C or 25 degrees C. Growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio, were higher at the higher water temperature. At each water temperatures fish growth and feed efficiency were higher with the glucose diet. Plasma glucose levels were not influenced by water temperature but were higher in fish fed the glucose diet. Hepatosomatic index and liver glycogen were higher at the lower water temperature and within each water temperature in fish fed the glucose diet. No effect of water temperature on enzymes activities was observed, except for hexokinase and GK which were higher at 25 degrees C. Hepatic hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activities were not influenced by diet composition, whereas glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed the glucose diet. Higher GK activity was observed in fish fed the glucose diet. GK gene expression was higher at 25 degrees C in fish fed the waxy maize starch diet while in fish fed the glucose diet, no temperature effect on GK gene expression was observed. Hepatic G6Pase activities and gene expression were neither influenced by dietary carbohydrates nor water temperature. Overall, our data suggest that in gilthead sea bream juveniles hepatocytes dietary carbohydrate source and temperature affect more intensively GK, the enzyme responsible for the first step of glucose uptake, than G6Pase the enzyme involved in the last step of glucose hepatic release.     

Hepatic glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase responses to dietary glucose and starch in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles reared at two temperatures.

The effects of carbohydrate sources/complexity and rearing temperature on hepatic glucokinase (GK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activities and gene expression were studied in gilthead sea bream juveniles. Two isonitrogenous (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (19% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 20% waxy maize starch or 20% glucose. Triplicate groups of fish (63.5 g initial body weight) were fed each diet to near satiation during four weeks at 18 degrees C or 25 degrees C. Growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio, were higher at the higher water temperature. At each water temperatures fish growth and feed efficiency were higher with the glucose diet. Plasma glucose levels were not influenced by water temperature but were higher in fish fed the glucose diet. Hepatosomatic index and liver glycogen were higher at the lower water temperature and within each water temperature in fish fed the glucose diet. No effect of water temperature on enzymes activities was observed, except for hexokinase and GK which were higher at 25 degrees C. Hepatic hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activities were not influenced by diet composition, whereas glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed the glucose diet. Higher GK activity was observed in fish fed the glucose diet. GK gene expression was higher at 25 degrees C in fish fed the waxy maize starch diet while in fish fed the glucose diet, no temperature effect on GK gene expression was observed. Hepatic G6Pase activities and gene expression were neither influenced by dietary carbohydrates nor water temperature. Overall, our data suggest that in gilthead sea bream juveniles hepatocytes dietary carbohydrate source and temperature affect more intensively GK, the enzyme responsible for the first step of glucose uptake, than G6Pase the enzyme involved in the last step of glucose hepatic release.     

Nutritional evaluation of various plant protein sources in diets for Asian sea bass Lates calcarifer

A biological assay was conducted to evaluate the suitability of various leguminous seed meals and leaf meals as dietary protein sources for Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer. In the growth experiment, fish (initial mean weight ± standard error (SE) of 3.8 ± 0.5 g) were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing test ingredients to replace 13–18% of the diet. The same diet formulations were used in a digestibility experiment, except that 1% Cr₂O₃ was added as an external indicator. The growth of the control fish was comparable to fish fed leguminous seed meal-based diets, and better than those given leaf meal-based diets. The control diet had the highest apparent protein digestibility (APD) value. No significant differences were observed between the APD of white cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ), green mungbean ( V. radiata ) and papaya ( Carica papaya ) leaf meal-based diets. However, the cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) leaf meal-based diet had the lowest APD value. The present findings suggest that white cowpea and green mungbean meals can be used as protein sources in practical diets to replace 18% of the sea bass diet without affecting their growth.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate on the growth performance,immune response,hepatic antioxidant abilities and heat shock protein 70 expression of Wuchang bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

To investigate the effects of different carbohydrate (CHO) levels in the diet of Wuchang bream Megalobrama amblycephala, the fish were randomly divided into six treatment groups. Five groups were fed 19, 25, 31, 38 and 47% CHO, respectively, for 8 weeks, and a control group was fed a diet with no CHO. Growth performance and feed utilization were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary carbohydrate level. Maximum weight gain and specific growth rate occurred at the 31% dietary carbohydrate level. Compared to the control, the 31% CHO group had a significantly increased serum total protein content, respiratory burst activity of leucocytes, serum complement 3 (C3) levels, serum lysozyme activity, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and hepatic total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC), as well as a decrease in serum glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activity. Compared to the control, the 47% CHO group had significantly increased serum GOT activity, and a tendency toward an increase in serum cortisol content and a decrease in serum lysozyme activity, hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and T‐AOC. The relative level of hepatic heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA in fish fed the 38% CHO diet was significantly higher than those of fish fed the 19, 25 and 31% CHO diets, respectively (P < 0.05). After challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila, fish fed the 47% CHO had the significantly lowest post‐challenge survival, and fish fed the 31% CHO had the significantly highest post‐challenge survival (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that ingestion of excessive dietary CHO can impact the non‐specific immune responses, decrease the hepatic antioxidant abilities, and thus affect the health status of M. amblycephala.     

饲料脂肪水平对吉富罗非鱼生产性能、营养物质消化及血液生化指标的影响

为探讨吉富罗非鱼对脂肪的适宜需求量,将630尾(2.63±0.16)g吉富罗非鱼随机分成6个脂肪组的饲料组(1.73%、3.71%、5.69%、7.67%、9.64%和16.55%),每组设置3个重复,每个重复35尾,第1组为对照组,投喂基础日粮(含脂肪1.73%),另外5组为试验组,在基础日粮中分别添加2%、4%、6%、8%、15%的鱼油,饲养90d后测定生长、饵料系数、营养物质表观消化率及血液常规生化指标。结果显示,随着饲料脂肪水平提高,增重率和特定生长率呈现一个先上升后下降的趋势(P＜0.05),蛋白质效率极显著地提高(P＜0.01),饵料系数极显著地下降(P＜0.01)。增重率与饲料脂肪水平的二次多项式回归分析显示,吉富罗非鱼获得最高增长所需饲料的最佳脂肪水平为9.34%。饲料脂肪水平对粗蛋白表观消化率和饲料干物质表观消化率无显著影响(P>0.05),饲料脂肪水平增加显著提高了粗脂肪和磷的表观消化率(P＜0.05)。未添加鱼油的1.73%组血液中白蛋白和白球比均显著高于其他组(P＜0.05),随着饲料脂肪水平的提高,胆固醇的浓度及碱性磷酸酶的活性极显著地上升(P＜0.01)。饲料脂肪水平对血糖浓度有显著影响(P＜0.05),对甘油三酯浓度、谷丙和谷草转氨酶的活性无显著影响(P>0.05)。结果表明,饲料中的脂肪水平可以促进吉富罗非鱼对脂肪和磷的表观消化率,但是脂肪水平过高会对鱼体增重及血液生化参数产生负作用,从生产上来说吉富罗非鱼鱼种对脂肪的适宜需求量为7.67%-9.34%。       

Does dietary P affect feeding and performance in the mixed-feeding grasshopper (Acrididae) Melanoplus bivitattus?

Although consequences of limited dietary protein and carbohydrate to performance are well studied for terrestrial insect herbivores, the importance of phosphorus (P) remains poorly understood. We examined the significance of dietary P to performance in fifth-instar nymphs of the grasshopper Melanoplus bivittatus fed artificial diets. Consumption, digestion, developmental rate, and growth in response to different levels of P nested within standard-Protein and carbohydrate diets were determined. Developmental rate was slowest on high-P diets; protein:carbohydrate concentration and P in diets affected frass production and consumption. Approximate digestibility and conversion of digested food were primarily influenced by the protein:carbohydrate quality of the diet but not P. Mass gain was marginally lower in the low-Protein:high carbohydrate diet used in this study. At the individual level, other than small effects to developmental rate at high concentrations for M. bivittatus, dietary P otherwise seems to have little effect on nymphal performance. To the degree that it is important, effects of dietary P depend on the concentrations of protein and carbohydrate in the diet.     

单宁酸对根田鼠食物摄入量和蛋白质消化率的效应

在食物中含10 %和20%蛋白质的条件下, 采用食物平衡法测定了单宁酸对根田鼠食物摄入量和蛋白质消化率的作用。食物蛋白质含量为10 %时, 第1～5 天, 单宁酸对根田鼠食物摄入量具有显著的抑制作用, 自第6天, 其作用不明显, 以3 %和6 %单宁酸处理的根田鼠, 其食物蛋白质消化率较对照组分别降低22 %和47.67 %;在食物蛋白质含量为20 %的条件下, 单宁酸对根田鼠的食物摄入量和蛋白质消化率无显著作用。上述结果验证了植物次生化合物能抑制植食性小哺乳动物食物摄入量及蛋白质消化率的假设。     

饲料脂肪水平对杂交鲟幼鱼生长、饲料消化率、抗氧化水平和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响

研究旨在探究饲料中不同脂肪水平对西伯利亚杂交鲟(Acipenser baerii Brandt♀×A. schrenckii Brandt♂)幼鱼生长、饲料消化率、血清生化指标及肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。以鱼油为脂肪源,配制4种脂肪水平分别为5%(D05)、10%(D10)、15%(D15)和20%(D20)的等氮饲料。选用初始体重为(152.83±0.67) g的杂交鲟,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复25尾鱼。养殖周期为12周。结果显示,饲料中不同脂肪水平对杂交鲟的生长性能有显著影响(P<0.05)。其中, D15组杂交鲟幼鱼的末均重(FBW)、增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)显著高于D05、D10和D20组(P<0.05),饲料效率(FE)显著高于D05和D10组(P<0.05)。随着饲料中脂肪含量的增加,杂交鲟幼鱼脏体比(VSI)、肝体比(HSI)及肌肉、肝脏中的脂肪含量显著上升(P<0.05)。饲料中不同脂肪水平对干物质(ADCd)、蛋白质(ADCp)表观消化率无显著影响(P>0.05)。D10、D15和D20组脂肪表观消化率(ADCf)显...     

Growth response of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (B.), larvae and fingerlings fed protease‐incorporated diets

African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.), is one of the promising freshwater fish species in African aquaculture but the expansion of its farming needs more production of its larvae. The use of live food organisms at first feeding for larvae is still obligatory. That increases the cost of larvae production. Hence, the incorporating of exogenous enzymes especially protease in artificial microdiets may provide affordable alternatives for enhancing the larvae performance. The present study was carried out to evaluate the growth and survival of larvae or fingerlings of African catfish fed artificial diets incorporated with different protease levels. Four artificial diets were formulated and enriched with protease enzyme at levels of 0.0, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 unit/kg diet; after that diets were made into crumbles (100–200 µm diameter). After absorption of the yolk sac, diets were offered to fish larvae (3.6 ± 0.2 mg) in triplicates as a starter feed up to apparent satiation every two hours for 30 days. In another treatment, fish larvae were fed on newly hatched Artemia nauplii (2,500 Artemia/L) as a starter food. In another experiment, African catfish fingerlings (10.1 ± 1.6 g) were fed on the same diets up to satiation twice a day for 2 months. It was noticed that the dietary protease improved larval growth and survival but not as Artemia nauplii did where fish larvae fed on Artemia nauplii showed highest growth and survival followed by those fed a diet enriched with 1,250 unit/kg diet of protease. The mortality of larvae fed protease‐enriched diets as well as the control diet was occurred mostly at the first week reaching its maximum at the third week. The poor growth was observed with fish larvae fed the control diet. Meanwhile, catfish fingerlings fed protease‐enriched diets showed higher growth over those fed the control diet. The larvae survival (11.0%–41.7%) was enhanced by increasing protease levels and it was lower than that of fingerlings (95.6%–100.0%). Furthermore, protein retention and digestibility were significantly improved with protease supplementation over the control diet especially at a level of 1,000 unit/kg diet. As compared with the previous studies, live food should be used in larvae rearing for the first week after that a starter diet enriched with protease at levels of 1,250 unit/kg diet should be used. In case of fish fingerlings, the dry diets should be enriched with 1,100 unit/kg diet to improve diet digestibility and subsequently enhance their growth.