Abstract
Feed is one of the most important external signals in fish that stimulates its feeding behavior and growth. The intake of feed is the main factor determining efficiency and cost, maximizing production efficiency in a fish farming firm. The physiological mechanism regulating food intake lies between an intricate connection linking central and peripheral signals that are unified in the hypothalamus consequently responding to the release of appetite-regulating genes that eventually induce or hinder appetite, such as apelin; a recently discovered peptide produced by several tissues with diverse physiological actions mediated by its receptor, such as feed regulation. Extrinsic factors have a great influence on food intake and feeding behavior in fish. Under these factors, feeding in fish is decontrolled and the appetite indicators in the brain do not function appropriately thus, in controlling conditions which result in the fluctuations in the expression of these appetite-relating genes, which in turn decrease food consumption. Here, we examine the research advancements in fish feeding behavior regarding dietary selection and preference and identify some key external influences on feed intake and feeding behavior. Also, we present summaries of the results of research findings on apelin as an appetite-regulating hormone in fish. We also identified gaps in knowledge and directions for future research to fully ascertain the functional importance of apelin in fish.
Highlights
Food is one of the foremost expenses of intensive fish farming, which fish farmers need to pay much attention to
Data available on fish feeding regulations indicate that the fundamental mechanisms in regulating feeding behavior are conserved
Our knowledge about how extrinsic factors influence feed ingestion and feeding behavior has been simplified. It appears that the general scheme of feeding regulation in fishes is similar to that of other vertebrates in the sense that hunger and feeding are controlled by central feeding centers that are influenced by endocrine factors rising from both the brain or from marginal tissues
Summary
Food is one of the foremost expenses of intensive fish farming, which fish farmers need to pay much attention to. Feeding as determined by Metcalfe and colleagues [2] plays a vital role in animal life-sustaining activities Evidence has it that, the regulation of feed intake, as in mammals, is well conserved in vertebrates, including some fish species [3, 4]. With its uncertain role in mammals as a feed intake regulator, apelin has been identified to play an orexigenic role in vertebrates such as fish. It aids in several regulation of biological activities in fish, which most importantly includes the regulation of food consumption. We gather information from previous research studies on apelin, categorizing its specific role in fish as an appetite-regulating hormone and identifying gaps in knowledge and directions for future research regarding this important topic
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