Effects of small peptides,probiotics, prebiotics,and synbiotics on growth performance,digestive enzymes,and oxidative stress in orange-spotted grouper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus coioides</Emphasis>, juveniles reared in artificial seawater

Aquaculture production efficiency may increase by using feed additives. This study investigated the effects of different dietary additives [w/w: 2% small peptides, 0.01% probiotics (Bacillus licheniformis) and 0.2% prebiotics (inulin)] on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and oxidative stress in juvenile Epinephelus coioides reared in artificial seawater of two salt concentrations (13.5 vs. 28.5). Weight gain rate was significantly higher in fish fed the diet supplemented with small peptides, B. licheniformis, inulin, or synbiotics than that in fish fed the basal diet; the greatest weight gain rate was found in fish fed the small peptide treatment [56.0% higher than basal diet]. Higher feed efficiency was detected in fish fed the diet supplemented with small peptides than that of fish in the other dietary treatments. Total protease activity in the stomach and intestines was highest in fish fed the small peptide-treated diet, whereas lipase activity was highest in those fed synbiotics (combination of Bacillus licheniformis and inulin) than that in fish fed the other treatments. Antioxidant enzyme (total superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities and hepatic malondialdehyde content were higher in fish receiving the dietary supplements and maintained in artificial seawater containing 13.5 salinity compared with those in the control (28.5). Hepatic catalase activity in grouper fed the diets with small peptides or synbiotics decreased significantly compared with that in control fish. Overall, the three types of additives improved growth rate of juvenile grouper and digestive enzymes activities to varying degrees but did not effectively improve antioxidant capacity under low-salinity stress conditions.     

Effect of dietary potassium on growth,nitrogen metabolism,osmoregulation and immunity of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in low salinity seawater

An 8 weeks feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary potassium on the growth and physiological acclimation of Pacific white shrimp(Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in diluted seawater(salinity 4). Six semi-purified practical diets containing 0.59, 0.96, 1.26, 1.48, 1.74, and 2.17+ g potassium K per 100 g diet were formulated, respectively. The survival and feed conversion rate did not show significant difference among groups of shrimps given these diets(P0.05). The shrimps fed the diets containing 0.96-1.48 g K+ per 100 g diet gained the highest weight, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio. Their ammonium-N excretion rate as well as hemolymph concentration of Na+ and Cl- were significantly lower than those of the control(P0.05), but a reverse trend was observed for their gill Na+/K+-ATPase. Moreover, the shrimps fed with 1.48 g K+ per 100 g diet were the highest in hemolymph urea level, and the phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities were significantly higher than those of the control(P0.05). The growth and physiological response of the test shrimps suggested that diet containing 1.48 g K+ per 100 g diet improved the growth of L. vannamei in low-salinity seawater, and enhanced the physiological acclimation of the organism.     

Effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,digestive enzyme activity,and body composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

An 8-week feeding experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,body composition,and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated containing four graded supplements of genistein:0,30,300,and 3 000 μg/g.Each diet was randomly assigned in triplicate to tanks stocked with 15 juvenile tilapia(10.47±1.24 g).The results show that 30 and 300 μg/gdietary genistein had no significant effect on growth performance of Nile tilapia,but the higher level of genistein(3 000 μg/g)significantly depressed the final body weight and specific growth rate.There was no significant difference in survival rate,feed intake,feed efficiency ratio or whole body composition among all dietary treatments.An assay of digestive enzymes showed that the diet containing 3 000 μg/ggenistein decreased stomach and hepatopancreas protease activity,and amylase activity in the liver and intestine,while a dietary level of300 μg/g genistein depressed stomach protease and intestine amylase activities.However,no significant difference in stomach amylase activity was found among dietary treatments.Overall,the results of the present study indicate that a high level of dietary genistein(3 000 μg/g,or above) would significantly reduce the growth of Nile tilapia,partly because of its inhibitory effect on the activity of major digestive enzymes.Accordingly,the detrimental effects of genistein,as found in soybean products,should not be ignored when applied as an alternative ingredient source in aquaculture.     

Effect of sodium chloride and cadmium on the growth,oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii

Zygosaccharomyces rouxii is a salt-tolerant yeast species capable of removing cadmium(Cd) pollutant from aqueous solution. Presently, the physiological characteristics of Z. rouxii under the stress of sodium chloride(NaCl) and Cd are poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of NaCl and Cd on the growth, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities of Z. rouxii after stress treatment for 24 h. Results showed that NaCl or Cd alone negatively affected the growth of Z. rouxii, but the growth-inhibiting effect of Cd on Z. rouxii was reduced in the presence of NaCl. Flow cytometry assay showed that under Cd stress, NaCl significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and cell death of Z. rouxii compared with those in the absence of NaCl. The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and peroxidase(POD) of Z. rouxii were significantly enhanced by 2%–6% NaCl, which likely contributed to the high salt tolerance of Z. rouxii. The POD activity was inhibited by 20 mg L-1Cd while the SOD and CAT activities were enhanced by 8 mg L-1 Cd and inhibited by 20 mg L-1 or 50 mg L-1 Cd. The inhibitory effect of high-level Cd on the antioxidant enzyme activities of Z. rouxii was counteracted by the combined use of NaCl, especially at 6%. This probably accounted for the decrease in Cd-induced ROS production and cell death of Z. rouxii after incubation with NaCl and Cd. Our work provided physiological clues as to the use of Z. rouxii as a biosorbent for Cd removal from seawater and liquid highly salty food.     

Effects of different levels of sweet potato in feeds on body composition and digestive enzymes activities of Apostichopus japonicas Selenka

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - The aim of this study was to test the effects of including sweet potato tuber and stem powder in feed on the body composition and digestive enzyme activities...     

Effects of Na+/K+ ratio of groundwaters on the gill ion-transport enzyme activity, plasma osmolality and growth of Cynoglossus semilaevis juveniles

The effects of environmental Na⁺/K⁺ ratio on the gill ion-transport enzyme activity, plasma osmolality and growth of Cynoglossus semilaevis juveniles were investigated. The results showed that, plasma osmolality was similar among flounder adapted to different Na⁺/K⁺ ratios of saline groundwaters (P>0.05), while the growth, gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activities were affected by Na⁺/K⁺ ratio significantly (P<0.05). The gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity reached its maximum on day 3, then decreased gradually from day 3 to day 9 and remained constant from day 9 to day 15. The peak values of gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity were detected on day 3 for all Na⁺/K⁺ ratios of saline groundwaters, then the enzyme activities descended, and on day 9 the enzyme activities achieved steady state, and the gill HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activity increased rapidly and achieved steady state after one day. During steady state, the gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activity of Na⁺/K⁺ ratios 20 and 40 treatments were significantly higher than those in the control group (Na⁺/K⁺ ratio 27.5), while there were no significant differences between the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio 30 treatment and the control group; the gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity of Na⁺/K⁺ ratio 20 and 40 treatments were significantly higher than that for ratio 30 treatment, but there were no significant differences of gill HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activity among these treatments. At the end of the 15-day experiment, the weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (SGR) of flounders maintained in seawater were significantly higher than those in groundwaters; significant differences also occurred among the treatments; Na⁺/K⁺ ratio 30 treatment had the highest values (33.7% and 1.94 respectively), which were significantly higher than those under Na⁺/K⁺ ratios 20 and 40 treatments. Therefore, for the saline groundwater used in this experiment, it is suggested that the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio be adjusted to approximately 30, i.e., as close to that of natural seawater as possible in the culture of flounder.     

Effects of stocking density on the growth and immunity of Atlantic salmon salmo salar reared in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)

Atlantic salmon reared in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) may lead to inappropriately high stocking density, because fish live in a limited space. Finding the suitable stocking density of Atlantic salmon reared in RAS is very important for RAS industry. In this paper, the influence of stocking density on growth and some stress related physiological factors were investigated to evaluate the effects of stocking density. The fish were reared for 220 days at five densities (A: 24 kg/m³; B: 21 kg/m³; C: 15 kg/m³; D: 9 kg/ m³ and E: 6 kg/m³ ). The results show that 30 kg/m³ might be the maximum density which RAS can afford in China. The stocking densities under 30 kg/m³ have no effect on mortality of Atlantic salmon reared in RAS. However, the specific growth rate (SGR), final weight and weight gain in the high density group were significantly lower than the lower density groups and middle density groups. Moreover, feed conversion rate (FCR) had a negative correlation with density. Plasma hormone T₃ and GH showed significant decrease with the increase of the stocking density of the experiment. Furthermore, thyroid hormone (T₃), GH (growth hormone) activities were decreased with stocking density increase. However, plasma cortisol, GOT (glutamic oxalacetic transaminase) and GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase) activities were increase with stocking density increase. And the stocking density has no effects on plasma lysozyme of Atlantic salmon reared in RAS. These investigations would also help devise efficient ways to rear adult Atlantic salmon in China and may, in a way, help spread salmon mariculture in China.

     

Effects of calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia as a live food on the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of larvae and juveniles of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Zooplankton constitutes a major part of the diet for fish larvae in the marine food web, and it is generally believed that copepods can meet the nutritional requirements of fish larvae. In this study, calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia, rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and anostraca crustacean Artemia sp. were analyzed for fatty acid contents, and were used as live food for culturing larval Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The total content of three types of HUFAs (DHA, EPA and ARA) in S. poplesia was significantly higher than that in the other two live foods (P<0.01). Three live organisms were used for raising larvae and juveniles of Paralichthys olivaceus respectively for 15 and 10 d. Then the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of the larvae and juveniles were investigated. The results showed that the larvae and juveniles fed with copepods (S. poplesia) had significantly higher growth rate than those fed with the other two organisms (P<0.01). The survival of the flounder larvae fed with copepods was significantly higher than that of the others (P<0.01), and the survival of the juvenile fish fed with copepods was higher than that fed with Artemia (P<0.05). The contents of three types of HUFAs (DHA, EPA and ARA) and the ratio of DHA/EPA in larval and juvenile flounder P. olivaceus were analyzed. The results showed that the contents of DHA, EPA and ARA in the larvae and juveniles fed with S. poplesia were higher than those fed with a mixed diet or Artemia only, and the ratio of EPA/ARA in larvae and juveniles of P. olivaceus fed with S. poplesia was lower than that in the case of feeding with a mixed diet or Artemia only. The present data showed that copepod is the best choice for feeding the larvae and juveniles of fish considering its effects on the survival, growth and nutrition composition of the fish.     

Effects of tributyltin （TBT） on enzyme activity and oxidative stress in hepatopancreas and hemolymph of small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta

We investigated the effect of tributyltin (TBT) exposure on the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity levels of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and AKP) enzymes in the small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta. We collected samples of the hepatopancreas and hemolymph 2, 6, 24, 48, 96, and 192 h after exposure to 0.35 μg (Sn)/L TBT. In the hepatopancreas, ACP activity was significantly higher in animals exposed to TBT 2, 24, and 96 h post-exposure compared with the control animals. AKP activity was also higher after 2 h, but SOD and CAT activity was unchanged. The concentration of MDA in the hemolymph was significantly higher than the control animals 2 and 6 h post-exposure. In the hemolymph of animals exposed to TBT, ACP activity was significantly lower than in the control animals 192 h post-exposure, whereas AKP activity was significantly lower 2 and 192 h post-exposure. Hemolymph SOD activity and levels of MDA were significantly lower than in the control animals 24 h after exposure but significantly higher after 96 h. Our results demonstrate that exposure to TBT cause rapid changes in ACP and AKP activity as well as altering the concentration of MDA in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph. SOD and CAT do not appear to be involved in the detoxification of TBT in the hepatopancreas of small abalone.     

Effects of temperature, pH and NaC1 on protease activity in digestive tract of young turbot, Scophthalmus maximus

The protease activity in digestive tract of young turbot Scophthalmus maximum was studied, and the optimal pH, temperature and NaCl concentration were determined for different portions of the fish＇s internal organs. The optimal activity in the fish＇s stomach was at pH of 2.2, while that in the intestinal extracts was within the alkaline range from 9.5 to 10.0. In hepatopancreas, the optimal pH was in low alkalinity at 8.5. The optimal reaction temperature was above 40℃ in stomach, intestine and hepatopancreas. With increasing temperature, the pH value increased in stomach, while in the intestine, an opposite tendency was observed due to combined effect of pH and temperature. NaCl concentration showed inhibitory impact on protein digestion in hepatopancreas. The main protease for protein digestion in turbot seemed to be pepsin. Moreover, the maximum protease activity in different segments of intestine existed in the hindgut.     

Effects of temperature, pH and NaCl on protease activity in digestive tract of young turbot, Scophthalmus maximus

1 INTRODUCTION Digestive enzyme activity is one of important issues for learning digestive physiology of fish, and widely applied in commercial fish culture. So far, the data obtained in fish showed that the diges- tive enzymes were qualitatively similar …     

Effects of dietary soy isoflavones on feed intake, growth performance and digestibility in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary soy isoflavones on feeding intake,growth performance,and digestion of juvenile Japanese flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus).Four isonitrogenous(49% crude protein) and isoenergetic(20.1 MJ kg-1) diets were formulated to contain four graded levels of soy isoflavones,namely,0,1,4 and 8 g soy isoflavones in 1 kg of diet.Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate tanks of fish(Initial average weight:2.58 g ± 0.01 g),and each tank was stocked with 35 fish.No significant difference was observed among diets with levels of 0,1 and 4 g kg-1 soy isoflavones in feed intake,weight gain,feed efficiency ratio(FER),proximate composition of fish whole body and apparent digestibility coefficients(ADC) of nutrients and energy(P>0.05).However,high dietary soy isoflavones level(8 g kg-1) significantly depressed weight gain,FER,whole-body crude lipid content of fish and ADC of nutrients(P<0.05).These results indicate that high level of dietary soy isoflavones(above 4 g kg-1) significantly depresses growth responses and FER of Japanese flounder.However,as the content of soy isoflavones in soybean meal is around 1 to 3 g kg-1,the adverse effects might be neglected when soybean products are used as a fish feed ingredient.     

Effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,digestive enzyme activity,and body composition of Nile tilapia <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>

An 8-week feeding experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary genistein on growth performance, body composition, and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated containing four graded supplements of genistein: 0, 30, 300, and 3 000 μg/g. Each diet was randomly assigned in triplicate to tanks stocked with 15 juvenile tilapia (10.47±1.24 g). The results show that 30 and 300 μg/g dietary genistein had no significant effect on growth performance of Nile tilapia, but the higher level of genistein (3 000 μg/g) significantly depressed the final body weight and specific growth rate. There was no significant difference in survival rate, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio or whole body composition among all dietary treatments. An assay of digestive enzymes showed that the diet containing 3 000 μg/ggenistein decreased stomach and hepatopancreas protease activity, and amylase activity in the liver and intestine, while a dietary level of 300 μg/g genistein depressed stomach protease and intestine amylase activities. However, no significant difference in stomach amylase activity was found among dietary treatments. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that a high level of dietary genistein (3 000 μg/g, or above) would significantly reduce the growth of Nile tilapia, partly because of its inhibitory effect on the activity of major digestive enzymes. Accordingly, the detrimental effects of genistein, as found in soybean products, should not be ignored when applied as an alternative ingredient source in aquaculture.     

Effects of brown fish meal replacement with fermented soybean meal on growth performance, feed efficiency and enzyme activities of Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

A 120-day feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of partial replacement of brown fish meal (BFM) by fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in diets of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The turtles (initial mean body weight, (115.52 ± 1.05) g) were fed with three experimental diets, in which 0%, 4.72% and 9.44% BFM protein was replaced by 0%, 3% and 6% FSBM, respectively. Results showed that the feeding rate (FR), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) of turtles fed with the diet containing 3% FSBM were not significantly different from the control group (0% FSBM) (P > 0.05). However, FR, SGR and FER of turtles fed with the diet containing 6% FSBM were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the activities of serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamicpyruvic transaminase among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). However, the uric acid concentration in turtles fed with the diet containing 3% or 6% FSBM was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the activities of lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase and total superoxide dismutase among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). The results suggested that FSBM could replace 4.72% BFM protein in turtle diets without exerting adverse effects on turtle growth, feed utilization and measured immune parameters.     

Effects of vitamin C deficiency or excess on growth performance,anti-oxidative response and fatty acid composition of juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - A 240-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin C on growth performance, anti-oxidative response, and fatty acid...     

Effect of dietary cottonseed meal on growth performance,physiological response,and gossypol accumulation in preadult grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idellus

Cottonseed meal(CM) was used at up to 36.95% content in the diet(replacing 60% of dietary fish meal protein) without any negative effects on growth performance of pre-adult grass carp(initial body weight,761 g) under outdoor conditions.A culture trial was conducted in net cages installed in a large concrete pond.Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing a gradient of CM concentrations(0,12.2%,24.4%,36.6%,48.8%,54.8%,and 61.0%) as replacement for dietary fish meal protein(0,20%,40%,60%,80%,90%,and 100%) were formulated.Dietary non-resistant starch(from maize) was inverse to dietary CM.Growth performance and feed utilization of fish fed the diets containing CM replacing 0-40% fishmeal protein were not affected after the 6-week feeding trial.Accumulation of hepatopancreatic total gossypol in the hepatopancreas was significantly correlated with free gossypol content in the diets(HTG=88.6+1.5×DFG,R~2=0.89,P0.05).Intestinal a-amylase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activities rose along with increasing dietary CM level.The structure of the mid-intestinal tissues and the ultrastructure of the enterocyte microvilli were normal when dietary CM was 36.6%(60% protein replacement).Increasing dietary CM content increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels but decreased serum alkaline phosphatase,cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,and albumin(P0.05).     

Effects of supplemental coated or crystalline methionine in low-fishmeal diet on the growth performance and body composition of juvenile cobia Rachycentron canadum （Linnaeus）

We evaluated the effects of supplemental coated and crystalline methionine （Met） on the growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile cobia （Rachycentron canadum Linnaeus） in a 60-d feeding trial. Fish groups were fed one of six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets： 1） fishmeal control; 2） un- supplemented experimental （low-fish-meal diet deficient in Met）; or 3） one of four Met diets supplemented with crystalline L-Met, cellulose-acetate-phthalate coated L-Met, acrylic-resin coated L-Met, or tripalmitin- polyvinyl alcohol coated L-Met. The test diets were fed to triplicate groups of cobia （initial body weight 5.40-4-0.07 g） twice a day. The weight gain and specific growth rate of the fish fed the RES diet were highest among the Met-supplemented groups and were 23.64% and 7.99%, respectively, higher than those of the fish fed with the un-supplemented experimental diet （P〈0.05）. The protein efficiency ratio of the fish fed the MET diet was significantly higher than that of the fish fed the un-supplemented experimental diet and the fish in the other methionine supplementation groups （P〈0.05）. Our results suggest that supplementation of crystalline Met in low-fish-meal diets promotes the growth performance of juvenile cobia.     

Single or combined effects of dietary arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide and inulin on growth performance,gut microbiota,and immune response in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The single and synergistic effects of dietary arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide(AXOS) and inulin at different doses(2,4,and 8 mg/g diet) on survival,growth performance,gut microbiota,and immune response in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were assessed.Singular application of either inulin or AXOS at doses of 4 mg/g diet showed the most stimulatory effects on the growth rate and gene expression levels of chitinase,cathepsin L,chymotrypsin,and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) in each single prebiotic feeding trial.Compared with single prebiotic treatments,simultaneous application of AXOS and inulin at 4 mg/g diet enhanced remarkably the growth parameters of shrimp and the expression of related genes(chitinase,cathepsin L,chymotrypsin ERK,myeloid differentiation factor88,and phenoloxidase) after 8-week feeding(P0.05).Additionally,gut microbiota analysis indicated the dietary supplementation with combined prebiotics increased significantly the bacterial community richness and relative abundance of Bacillus,Pseudomonas,Bacteriovorax,and Lactobacillus,and reduced the abundance of Vibrio,Rhodococcus,and Photobacterium in the digestive tract of L.vannamei.Compared with the single prebiotic treatment and the control,combined prebiotics supplementation boosted notably the survival rate and expression levels of immune-related genes in shrimp infected with Vibrio alginolyticus or white spot syndrome virus.Therefore,simultaneous application of AXOS and inulin shall have a great potential of dietary supplement in the culture of L.vannamei.     

Effects of dietary corn gluten meal on growth performance and protein metabolism in relation to IGF-I and TOR gene expression of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

A growth experiment was conducted on cobia(Rachycentron canadum,initial weight 108.2 g ± 3.0 g) to investigate the effects of dietary corn gluten meal(CGM) levels on the fish growth,whole body composition and protein metabolism in relation to specific gene expression.Five isonitrogenous(crude protein 45%) and isoenergetic(gross energy 20 kJ g 1) practical diets were formulated by replacing 0%(the control),17.5%,35.0%,52.5%,and 70.0% of fish meal(FM) protein with CGM protein.No significant differences were observed in the survival,feed intake(FI),specific growth rate(SGR),feed efficiency(FE) and protein productive value(PPV) among fish fed diets with 0%,17.5%,35.0%,and 52.5% of CGM protein.However,these indices were significantly lower in fish fed the diet with 70.0% of CGM protein than those in fish fed the control diet(P < 0.05).The whole-body crude protein and lipid contents were significantly lower while the whole-body moisture content was significantly higher in fish fed the diet with 70.0% of CGM protein compared with the control group(P < 0.05).When 70.0% of FM protein was replaced by CGM,plasma total protein and cholesterol contents were significantly lower than those in the control group(P < 0.05).Fish fed the diet with 70.0% of CGM protein had significantly lower hepatic insulin-like growth factor I(IGF-I) expression levels than those in the control group(P < 0.05).However,no significant differences were observed in hepatic target of rapamycin(TOR),dorsal muscle IGF-I and TOR expression levels among dietary treatments.Results of the present study indicated that 52.5% of FM protein could be replaced by CGM in the diets without significant influences on the growth,feed utilization and protein metabolism of juvenile cobia.The present results might be useful for developing cost effective and sustainable cobia dietary formulations.     

Influences of immersion bathing in Bacillus velezensis DY-6 on growth performance,non-specific immune enzyme activities and gut microbiota of Apostichopus japonicus

In this study,the influences of immersion bathing in different concentrations of Bacillus velezensis DY-6 on the body weight gain rate and non-specific immune enzyme activities of the coelom fluid of sea cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus)were determined in order to obtain the optimum bacterial concentration.The gut microbiota change in A.japonicus was then analyzed through high-throughput sequencing during the immersion bathing in B.velezensis DY-6 at the optimum concentration for 49 d.The results illustrate that the body weight growth rate of all bathing groups was higher than that of the control.The highest growth rate(25.3%)was achieved when the bacterial concentration was 1 × 10~3 CFU/mL.The activities of non-specific immune enzymes(ACP,AKP,SOD and LZM)of all bathing groups increased,and the activities of the enzymes of groups bathed with the bacterium at 1×10~3 and 1×10~4 CFU/mL reached the highest on day 21 and day 28.Taking the growth rate and economic cost into consideration,the optimum concentration of B.velezensis DY-6 was 1×10~3 CFU/mL.The influences of immersion bathing in B.velezensis DY-6 at 1×10~3 CFU/mL on the gut microbiota of A.japonicus were then evaluated through 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis.Results showed that the gut microbiota changed with the addition of B.velezensis DY-6,and the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota peaked twice on day 14 and day 21,respectively.In association with the non-specific immune enzyme activities and if day 28 was selected as the dividing point,the community structure of the gut microbiota could be obviously divided into two types.The correlation analysis revealed that the non-specific immune enzyme activities were correlated significantly to some gut bacteria(in the phyla Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,and Bacteroidetes)after immersion bathing in B.velezensis DY-6.Our finding s will provide the theoretical foundation for probiotic application in sea cucumber farming.