Body Weight Gain In Rats Research Articles

Effect of dietary astaxanthin administration on the growth performance and innate immunity of juvenile crucian carp (Carassius auratus).

The present study aims to explore the effects of oral astaxanthin administration on the growth performance and innate immunity of juvenile crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Juvenile crucian carps with a bodyweight of 40.06 ± 2.17g were randomly assigned to four groups, i.e., one control group fed with a basic diet and three treatment groups fed with a diet that contains 200, 400 and 800mg/kg astaxanthin. After 60days of feeding, the groups fed with astaxanthin-containing diets had improved body weight gain rate; feed conversion ratio; intestinal digestive protease, lipase and amylase levels; serum superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme activities; complement 3 and complement 4 levels; interleukin (IL)-10 and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophilia and reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities and tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-1β and IL-8 levels compared with those of the control group. Based on the efficiency of the oral administration of astaxanthin on the growth performance of juvenile crucian carps, the optimum dose of astaxanthin was 400mg/kg. Results indicated that astaxanthin may be used as a dietary supplement for the crucian carp.

Evaluation of defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal for Litopenaeus vannamei : effects on growth performance, nutrition retention, antioxidant and immune response, digestive enzyme activity and hepatic morphology

Defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (DBSFLM) has been shown an important alternative protein ingredient for fish, but little information is available about the effect of DBSFLM on growth and health of Litopenaeus vannamei. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of partial replacement of fish meal with DBSFLM on growth performance, body composition, nutrition retention, blood metabolites, antioxidant and immune response, digestive enzyme activities and hepatic morphology of L. vannamei. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergy diets were formulated by replacing 0% (G0), 15% (G15), 30% (G30), 45% (G45), 60% (G60) and 80% (G80) of fish meal with DBSFLM. Each diet was randomly assigned to quadruplicate groups of 40 shrimp per tank. Shrimp were fed three times daily to apparent satiation. Blood samples were collected at the terminal trial to analyse antioxidant and non-specific immune enzyme activities. Hepatopancreas and intestine samples were collected to determine digestive enzyme activities and hepatic morphology. Shrimp fed G80 had lower (p < .05) final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate, and higher (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than other groups. Crude protein (CP) in the whole body and muscle, coupled with CP and lipid retention of shrimp were decreased (p < .05) as dietary DBSFLM increasing. Shrimp fed G80 had lower (p < .05) serum total cholesterol but higher (p < .05) total antioxidant capacity than other diets, and serum malondialdehyde was lower (p < .05) in shrimp fed G45-G80 than those fed G0-G30. Hepatic and intestinal digestive enzyme activities were not altered by treatments (p > .05). Hepatocytes were shown to have different degrees of vacuolar degeneration, hepatic corpuscle atrophy and starlike lumen lose as observed in G60 and G80. The results demonstrated that up to 60% of fish meal could be replaced by DBSFLM without any adverse effects on growth performance, antioxidant and immune enzyme activities, and digestive enzyme activities of L. vannamei. However, hepatocyte damage was observed when the replacement levels exceeded 60%.

Understanding the Interaction Effects between Dietary Lipid Content and Rearing Temperature on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, and Fat Deposition of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

Simple SummaryThere is a growing need to use more efficient feed in fish farming. Designing a proper diet could potentially overcome even negative environmental impacts on the growth of farmed fish. It has been repeatedly stated that the change in temperature followed by the change of seasons can significantly affect the growth of fish. The aim of this work is to study the interaction of the diet (specifically the percentage of fat in it) with the change of temperature in the growth performance, feed utilization and fat deposition of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). We used two different temperature regimes (starting at 23 °C and then changed to 17 °C and starting at 17 °C and then changed to 23 °C); fed one of the two commercial diets 16.5 and 20% lipids. We observed better growth rate and feed consumption when fish transferred to warmer water, but no diet-temperature interaction was observed. Different temperature regimes did not affect muscle or liver composition but the different fat diet content affected somatic indexes. In both temperature regimes, for a higher feed intake and body weight, a high fat diet is a better practice.This study was conducted to elucidate the interaction effects of temperature and dietary lipid levels (2 × 2 factorial experiment) on the growth performance, muscle, and liver composition in adult farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Two groups of fish (190 g; 60 fish per group) were distributed in 12 tanks in triplicates and kept at two different temperature regimes; one starting at 23 °C and then changed to 17 °C for 61 days, and the other starting at 17 °C and then changed to 23 °C for 39 days. Two commercial diets containing both ~44% crude protein but incorporating different dietary lipid levels, 16.5% (D16) and 20.0% (D20) (dry matter (DM)), were fed to the fish to apparent satiation; the type of diet fed to each fish group remained constant throughout the experiment. Final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate were significantly higher for the fish group held at 23 °C compared to the fish group at 17 °C (before the temperature changes), while the dietary fat content did not have any profound effect in both groups. Furthermore, the different temperature regimes did not affect muscle or liver composition, but, on the contrary, dietary lipids affected hepatosomatic, perivisceral fat, and visceral indexes. Feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate were not affected by the dietary lipid level. An interaction of temperature and dietary lipid content was observed in daily feed consumption (DFC) and final body weight (FBW).

Growth performance of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) supplemented with honey prebiotic in stagnant peat ponds

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of giving honey as a prebiotic in increasing the growth performance of freshwater pomfret (Colossoma macropomum). In this study, honey was mixed into the feed with the method coated at doses of 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9%. Fish with an initial body weight of 3-5 g are reared in three ponds with a total of 12 hapa nets measuring 1x1x1 (m3) (40 fish / hapa nets), that is, 4 hapa nets are placed in each pond. Thus, each treatment replication could be represented in each pond. Fish were fed treated with three replications for 60 days. The best growth performance during 60 days of maintenance indicated that honey supplementation with a dose of 0.6% was significantly different from other treatments in terms of the amount of feed intake 1195±0.01 g, FCR 1.12±0.00, feed efficiency 90.34±0.00 %, the daily growth rate was 3.88±0.02 %, and the body weight gain rate was 778.53±0.01 %. It can be concluded that the administration of honey with a dose of 0.6% is effective in improving the feed conversion ratio, increasing feed efficiency, daily growth rate, body weight gain, and reducing the amount of feed consumption of freshwater pomfret in inundated peat fish ponds.

Fraxetin prevented sodium fluoride-induced chronic pancreatitis in rats: Role of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic and anti-apoptotic activities

Chronic pancreatitis is considered a common gastrointestinal disorder, with significant morbidity and mortality. Fluoride is an important agent for the development of our body systems, especially for bone and teeth, however on its excess consumption, it deposits in different body tissues, especially the pancreas, causing its chronic inflammation and destruction. Fraxetin proved to possess versatile activities including; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anti-apoptotic activities. In the present study, we have evaluated the fraxetin potentiality to prevent fluoride-induced chronic pancreatitis in rats, by evaluating animal body weights and body weight gain rate, serum amylase, and lipase activities, pancreatic oxidative stress markers, cytokines, apoptotic markers, myeloperoxidase, and hydroxyproline levels, and histopathological changes. Nine-weeks-old male Wistar rats drank distilled water containing 500 ppm sodium fluoride (NaF) for 60 days to induce chronic pancreatitis. Oral fraxetin (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day) received simultaneously to prevent chronic pancreatitis development. Fraxetin in a dose-dependent manner alleviated chronic pancreatitis induced by NaF, as it restored the decreased body weight and weight gain rate, decreased the elevated serum amylase and lipase activities, pancreatic IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, caspase-3, MPO and hydroxyproline levels, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, enhanced pancreatic CAT and SOD activities, and GSH levels, besides it augmented the elevated IL-10 level, with the restoration of normal pancreatic architecture. Therefore, fraxetin could be a promising agent recommended for the prevention of fluoride-induced chronic pancreatitis in endemic areas.

Impact of nucleotide enriched diets on the production of gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata fingerlings by modulation of liver mitochondrial enzyme activitity, antioxidant status, immune gene expression, and gut microbial ecology

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fish meal replacement with a mixture of plant, and animal protein supplemented with a commercial nucleotide NucleoforceFish™, on growth, feed utilization, whole-body composition, biometric indices; liver mitochondrial enzyme activities, selected gene expression and influence on the gut microbiome of gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata. Six hundred and thirty gilthead seabream with an average initial body weight of 0.358 ± 0.002 g/fish, were used. Six experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, 45% crude protein (CP) and isocaloric 20 MJ/kg gross energy (GE). The control diet (D1) contained 25% of fish meal (FM25) and had no NucleoforceFish™ added (FM25/0), diets 2-3 contained FM at a level of 25% and supplemented with 250 (FM25/250) and 500 (FM25/500) mg/kg NucleoforceFish™, respectively. Diets 4-6 were a non-fishmeal formulation and had no NucleoforceFish™, (diet 4, FM0/0), 0%FM with 250mg/kg NucleoforceFish™ (diet 5, FM0/250), and 0%FM with 500mg/kg NucleoforceFish™ (diet 6, FM0/500). The results revealed that dietary nucleotides supplemented at 250mg/kg or 500mg/kg enhanced final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate of seabream either with dietary level of 25% FM diet (FM25) or non-fishmeal diet (FM0). All mitochondrial liver complex enzyme activities were recorded as having a significant positive response to the nucleotide dietary supplement. Gilthead seabream fingerlings fed FM0/250 diet for 150 days had significantly elevated liver mitochondrial enzyme (Complex III, Complex IV, Complex I and II) activities. In addition, gilthead seabream fed FM0/500 had significantly increased the gene expression of TCR-B and IL1-B, while fish fed FM25/250 increased significantly the gene expression of IGF1, while fish fed FM25/500 increased significantly the gene expression of Hepcidin (Hep) and the iron homeostasis hormone. There was a marked influence on specific bacteria comprising the gut microbiome namely Photobacterium; damselae; Vibrio anguillarum; Lactobacillus plantarum; Lactobacillus Enterococcus faecium subtilis. It can be concluded that FM25/250 and FM25/500 diets are expressing the best result, which explains that FM must be in the feed of gilthead seabream, and addition of NucleoforceFish™ at 250 mg/kg feed may further increase the performance.

Dietary carotenoprotien extracted from shrimp shell waste augments growth, feed utilization, physio-metabolic responses and colouration in Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831)

Carotenoprotein, a complex of carotenoids and protein, extracted from shrimp shell waste can be an effective source of carotenoid as well as antioxidant in fish diets. In the present study, the nutritional potential of carotenoprotein extracted from shell wastes of Parapeneopsis stylifera on growth, physiometabolic changes and coloration in high-value ornamental fish, oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) was assessed in a 120 days feeding trial. Four iso‑nitrogenous (30–31% CP) and isolipidic (11.34–11.55% CL) diets were formulated with graded levels of carotenoprotein inclusion like 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% and designated as Control, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, growth indices such as final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate indicated that fish fed with 10 and 15% levels of carotenoprotein incorporated diet showed higher growth compared to control and T1. Oxidative stress enzymes like SOD and Catalase were lower in 15% and 10% carotenoprotein incorporated diets respectively in both gills and liver. Stress indicators like serum glucose and cortisol activity were found to be higher in control than in diets with 10% (T2) as well as 15% (T3), suggesting the stress-reducing ability of the carotenoprotein in fish feed. Relatively higher respiratory burst activity in fishes of T3 group indicated higher immunity status of the fish. Quantitative colour values in terms of redness, chroma in the fin region as well as carotenoid content in scale, skin and muscle of fish were higher in T2 (10% carotenoprotein incorporated diet) as compared to T3 (15% carotenoprotein incorporated diet). Overall, this study clearly showed that dietary incorporation of as little as 10% carotenoprotein is advisable to ornamental fish farmers for enhanced growth, colouration, as well as antioxidant activity in this popular high value ornamental fish for maximizing their profit.

Synergistic effect of exogenous multi-enzyme and phytase on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, blood metabolites, intestinal microflora and morphology in broilers fed corn-wheat-soybean meal diets.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the synergistic effect of exogenous multi-enzyme and phytase on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, blood metabolites, intestinal microflora, and morphology in broilers fed corn-wheat-soybean meal diets.MethodsA 2×2 factorial design was used in this study. Four dietary treatments consisted of i) basal diets (corn-wheat-soybean meal based diets without multi-enzyme and phytase), ii) basal diets with phytase (0.05%), iii) basal diets with exogenous multi-enzyme (0.05%), and iv) basal diets with exogenous multi-enzyme including phytase (0.05%). A total of 480 broiler chickens (Ross 308 - one day old) were weighed and allotted to thirty-two cages (15 birds per cage), and chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments.ResultsThe body weight gain and feed conversion rate were improved by supplementation of exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase during the finisher period (p<0.05). The birds fed diets with exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase had a significantly greater digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus compared with birds fed non-supplemented diets (p<0.05). The chickens fed diets with exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase showed a higher concentration of Ca and P in the serum (p<0.05). The population of Lactobacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Clostridium were not affected in the ileum and cecum of chickens fed enzyme-supplemented diets. The dietary supplemental exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase showed a significant improvement in villus height, crypt depth, and villus height and crypt depth ratio, compared to basal diets or dietary supplemental phytase (p<0.05).ConclusionThe supplementation of the exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase synergistically improved the growth performance, nutrients digestibility, and villus height of the small intestine of broiler chickens fed a corn-wheat-soybean meal based diets.

МЯСНАЯ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ КУЙБЫШЕВСКИХ БАРАНЧИКОВ ПРИ ВКЛЮЧЕНИИ В РАЦИОН ДОБАВОК ЗАЩИЩЕННОГО МЕТИОНИНА

The dynamics of body weight from 3 to 7 monthsof age are considered; indicators of slaughter at the agesof 3 and 7 months. sheep of the Kuibyshev breed when included in the diet of 1.5 and 2.0 g of metasmart. It was shown thatmetasmart supplements had a positive effect on body weightgain and slaughter rates. It was noted that the addition of 2 gof metasmart to the diet was more effective.

Stimulation of humoral and cell-mediated immunities in healthy and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rats by the lyophilized Houttuynia cordata fermented drink

ABSTRACTHouttuynia cordata fermented drinks (HCFDs) are dietary liquid supplements widely marketed and consumed for immune enhancement. In this study, the acute oral toxicity and immunostimulatory activity of the selected lyophilized HCFD in healthy and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rats were evaluated. The lyophilized selected commercialized HCFD was safe in animal model as there was no acute oral toxic death at up to 2000 mg/kg in male Wistar rats. After 14 days of treatment, in immunosuppressed rats, lyophilized HCFD enhanced rat body weight gain and significantly increased spleen index at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Moreover, B-cell proliferation and anti-sheep red blood cell antibody production were significantly increased at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The delayed-type hypersensitivity response was significantly stimulated at a dose of 200 mg/kg. These findings exhibited the immunostimulatory activity of the lyophilized HCFD by enhancing the immune responses in both humoral and cell-mediated immunities in immunosuppressed rats.

Starter broiler feed brand preferences by small scale poultry farmers versus performance of broiler chickens fed the preferred feed brands in Owerri zone, Imo State, Nigeria

The production and sale of 28 day-old broiler chicks, a business known locally as “brood and sell” is rapidly growing among small scale poultry farmers in Owerri zone, Imo state, South East Nigeria. Feed however, is a major budget item that affects profit in the business. This study therefore, evaluated the preferences of farmers for the different starter broiler feed brands versus the performance of such broilers on these feed brands. A purposively structured questionnaire was designed and administered to forty eight small scale poultry farmers in seven local government areas in the zone. Based on the responses from the farmers, a 28-day feeding trial was carried out at our station using 210, one-day old Marshal broiler chicks to determine their performance on feed brands preferred by the farmers. Results of the survey indicated that five feed brands coded TF, VF, AF, HF and ZF were actively distributed in the zone. VF brand was the most preferred (49.10%) and TF second most preferred (29.07%) while HF brand was the least preferred (3.66%). Results of the feeding trial indicated that TF recorded the best body weight gain (495.22g), feed conversion ratio (FCR), 2.53 and 0.00% mortality while HF recorded the least body weight gain (214.29g), poorest FCR (5.57) and highest mortality rate (14.28%). The VF brand mostly preferred by the farmers from our survey recorded 469.04g body weight gain, 2.87 FCR and 0.00% mortality. TF which outperformed other brands however, cost much more per kg. Preference of feed brand by small scale poultry farmers in Owerri zone, from the results obtained is influenced by cost but the quality of such feed brand was also a major consideration.

Effects of Saccharin Consumption on Operant Responding for Sugar Reward and Incubation of Sugar Craving in Rats.

Repeated experience with artificial sweeteners increases food consumption and body weight gain in rats. Saccharin consumption may reduce the conditioned satiety response to sweet-tasting food. Rats were trained to press a lever to obtain sucrose for five days. A compound cue (tone + light) was presented with every sucrose delivery. On the following day, each lever press produced only the compound cue (cue-reactivity test). Subjects were then provided with yogurt for three weeks in their home cages. The rats were divided into two groups. Rats in the saccharin group received yogurt sweetened with saccharin on some days and unsweetened yogurt on others. For the plain group, only unsweetened plain yogurt was provided. Subsequently, the cue-reactivity test was conducted again. On the following day, the rats underwent a consumption test in which each lever press was reinforced with sucrose. Chow consumption and body weight gain were larger in the saccharin group than in the plain group. Lever responses increased from the first to the second cue-reactivity tests (incubation of craving) in both groups. During the consumption test, lever responses were higher in the saccharin group than in the plain group, suggesting that the conditioned satiety response was impaired in the saccharin group.

Effects of dietary fumonisins on nutrients digestibility in weanling pigs

Submitted 2020-06-15 | Accepted 2020-07-01 | Available 2020-12-01 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.23-28 The aim of the study was to ascertain the potential effects of fumonisins on nutrients’ digestibility in the gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen (n= 6 x 3) weanling pigs from the age of 35 days were administered 0, 15 or 30 mg/kg dietary fumonisins (FB1, FB2 and FB3) for a period of 21days, after an acclimatization period of 14 days. Titanium dioxide (0.5%) was added as indigestible marker to the feed and representative fecal samples were taken during a 5-day collection period in order to determine the digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, starch, ash, calcium, phosphorus and energy. The final body weights, cumulative feed intake and relative organ weights of all groups were were not influenced by treatment (p&gt;0.05). Digestibility of energy, crude fiber, ash, calcium and phosphorus were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in the control group relative to either 15 or 30 mg/kg treated pigs. These findings suggest that fumonisins in a dose of 15 or 30 mg/kg potentially distorts total tract nutrient digestibility in weanling pigs and thus, compromise the nutritive value of the mixed feed. Keywords: fumonisins, pigs, gastrointestinal tract, nutrients digestibility References Association of Official Analytical Chemists. (2000). AOAC International, Gaithersburg, 17. ed MD, USA. Bartók, T. et al. (2010). Detection and characterization of twenty-eight isomers of fumonisin B1 (FB1) mycotoxin in a solid rice culture infected with Fusarium verticillioides by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization time-of-flight and ion trap mass spectrometry. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 24(1), 35–42. Bouhet, S. and Oswald, I.P. (2007). The intestine as a possible target for fumonisin toxicity. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 51(8), 925–931. Choct M. (2009). Managing gut health through nutrition. British Poultry Science, 50(1), 9–15. Ewing, W.N. (2008). The Living Gut. 2. ed. Nottingham, UK: Nottingham University Press. Gbore, F.A., Yinusa, R.I. and Salleh, B. (2010). Evaluation of sub-chronic dietary fumonisin B1 on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of rats. African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(38), 6442–6447. Gbore, F.A. (2007). Effect of dietary fumonisin B1 on histomorphology and histopathology of organs of pubertal boars. American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research, 2, 75–79. Gbore, F.A. and Egbunike, G.N. (2007). Influence of dietary fumonisin B1 on nutrient utilization by growing pigs. Livestock Research for Rural Development, Volume19, Article #93. Retrieved June 5, 2020 from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd19/7/gbor19093.htm Gelineau-van Waes, J. et al. (2009). Maternal fumonisin exposure as a risk factor for neural tube defects. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 56, 145–181. Grenier, B. and Applegate, T. (2013). Modulation of intestinal functions following mycotoxin ingestion: Meta-analysis of published experiments in animals. Toxins, 5(2), 396–430. Harrison, L.R. et al. (1990). Pulmonary edema and hydrothorax in swine produced by fumonisin B1, a toxic metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2(3), 217–221. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2002). Working group on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Some traditional herbal medicines, some mycotoxins, naphthalene and styrene. IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, 82, 1–556. Islami, F. et al. (2009). Oesophageal cancer in Golestan Province, a high-incidence area in northern Iran - a review. European Journal of Cancer, 45(18), 3156–3165. Merrill, A. H. et al. (2001). Sphingolipid metabolism: roles in signal transduction and disruption by fumonisins. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(2), 283–289. Nelson, P.E., Desjardins, A.E. and Plattner, R.D. (1993). Fumonisins, mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species: biology, chemistry, and significance. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 31, 233–252. Rheeder, J.P., Marasas, W.F. and Vismer, H.F. (2002). Production of fumonisin analogs by Fusarium species. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68(5), 2101–2105. SPSS. (2012). SPSS for Windows version 20, SPSS: Chicago, IL, USA. Tóth, Á. et al. (2000). Effect of low doses of the mycotoxin fumonisin B1 on the body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate of pigs. Agriculture, 6, 149–151. Â

Marine-Derived Chitosan Nanoparticles Improved the Intestinal Histo-Morphometrical Features in Association with the Health and Immune Response of Grey Mullet (Liza ramada).

Marine-derived substances are known for their beneficial influences on aquatic animals’ performances and are recommended to improve intestinal health, immunity, and anti-oxidative status. The present study investigates the role of chitosan nanoparticles on the intestinal histo-morphometrical features in association with the health and immune response of Grey Mullet (Liza ramada). Chitosan nanoparticles are included in the diets at 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg and introduced to fish in a successive feeding trial for eight weeks. The final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) parameters are significantly increased while feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreases by chitosan nanoparticles compared to the control (p < 0.05). The morphometric analysis of the intestines reveals a significant improvement in villus height, villus width, and the number of goblet cells in chitosan-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between the thickness of the enterocyte brush border and the chitosan dose, referring to an increasing absorptive activity. Histologically, the intestinal wall of Grey Mullet consists of four layers; mucosa, sub-mucosa, tunica muscularis (muscular layers), and serosa. The histological examination of the L. ramada intestine shows a normal histo-morphology. The epithelial layer of intestinal mucosa is thrown into elongated finger-like projections, the intestinal villi. The values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells (RBCs), total protein (TP), albumin, and globulin are significantly increased in fish fed 1, and 2 g/kg of chitosan nanoparticles compared to fish fed 0 and 0.5 g/kg (p < 0.05). The highest levels of TP and albumin are observed in fish fed 1 g/kg diet (p < 0.05). The lysozyme activity and phagocytic index are significantly enhanced by feeding chitosan nanoparticles at 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg, whereas the phagocytic activity is improved in fish fed 1 and 2 g/kg (p < 0.05). The highest lysozyme activity and phagocytic index are observed in fish fed 1 g/kg. SOD is significantly activated by feeding chitosan nanoparticles at 1 g/kg. Simultaneously, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities also are enhanced by feeding chitosan at 1 and 2 g/kg, compared to fish fed 0 and 0.5 g/kg (p < 0.05). The highest GPx and CAT activities are observed in fish fed 1 g/kg (p < 0.05). Conversely, the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels are decreased by feeding chitosan at 1 and 2 g/kg, with the lowest being in fish fed 1 g/kg (p < 0.05). To summarize, the results elucidate that L. ramada fed dietary chitosan nanoparticles have a marked growth rate, immune response, and anti-oxidative response. These improvements are attributed to the potential role of chitosan nanoparticles in enhancing intestinal histo-morphometry and intestinal health. These results soundly support the possibility of using chitosan nanoparticles at 1–2 g/kg as a feasible functional supplement for aquatic animals.

Influence of dietary Chlorella vulgaris and carbohydrate-active enzymes on growth performance, meat quality and lipid composition of broiler chickens

Herein, we investigated the effect of Chlorella vulgaris as ingredient (10% of incorporation) in broiler diets, supplemented or not with 2 formulations of Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes; Rovabio Excel AP and a mixture of recombinant CAZymes, composed by an exo-β-glucosaminidase, an alginate lyase, a peptidoglycan N-acetylmuramic acid deacetylase and a lysozyme), on growth performance, meat quality, fatty acid composition, oxidative stability, and sensory traits. One hundred twenty 1-day-old Ross 308 male birds were randomly assigned to one of the 4 experimental diets (n = 30): corn-soybean meal–basal diet (control), basal diet with 10% C. vulgaris (CV), CV supplemented with 0.005% of a commercial CAZyme cocktail (Rovabio Excel AP), (CV + R), and CV supplemented with 0.01% of a 4-CAZyme mixture previously selected (CV + M) during the experimental period lasted from day 21 to day 35. Body weight gain and feed conversion rate of broilers were not affected by C. vulgaris but digesta viscosity increased more than 2-fold (P < 0.001) relative to the control. In addition, neither cooking loss, shear force, juiciness, flavor nor off-flavor was impaired by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). By contrast, the dietary C. vulgaris increased tenderness, yellowness (b∗) and total carotenoids in breast and thigh meats. However, no additional protective effect against lipid oxidation was observed in meat with the inclusion of microalga. Chlorella vulgaris, independently of CAZymes, had a minor impact on meat fatty acid composition but improved the proportion of some beneficial fatty acids. In summary, our data indicate a slight improvement of broiler meat quality and lipid nutritional value, without impairment of broilers' growth performance, thus supporting the usefulness of this microalga in poultry diets, up to this high level of incorporation. By contrast, the selected CAZyme mixtures used do not significantly improve the release of microalga nutrients in poultry diets, through the disruption of microalga cell wall, which warrants further research.

Enhanced growth performance, immune responses, immune-related gene expression and disease resistance of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) fed dietary glycyrrhizic acid

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is an effective antiviral agent and is widely used in humans and animals. However, while the impact of disease on crustaceans is increasingly serious, research on the application of GA in crustaceans is very rare. The effects of GA on the growth performance, immune response, immune-related gene expression and disease resistance of crayfish were studied. A total of 900 healthy and equal weight crayfish were randomly divided into six groups for a feeding experiment, which lasted 60 days: the GA25, GA50, GA75, GA100 and GA150 groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg·kg−1 GA, respectively, and the control group was fed a basal diet. The results showed that the crayfish in the groups supplemented with 75 to 100 mg·kg−1 GA had an increased final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the controls (P < 0.05). The total hemocyte count (THC) and phenoloxidase (PO) content in the hemolymph of crayfish in the groups supplemented with 75 to 100 mg·kg−1 GA were significantly increased compared with those in the control group. Additionally, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LZM) in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of crayfish were significantly increased, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly decreased in the groups supplemented with 50 to 150 mg·kg−1 GA compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, supplementation with 50 to 100 mg·kg−1 GA downregulated the expression of bax and upregulated the expression of bax inhibitor-1 (bi-1), toll-like receptor (tlr), lectin, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) (P < 0.05). In addition, supplementation with 50–150 mg·kg−1 GA could decrease the mortality of crayfish infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). These results showed that growth performance, immune responses and immune-related gene expression can be improved by adding GA at the optimal dose of 50–150 mg·kg−1 in crayfish.

Dietary guanosine‐monophosphate improves growth performance, feed utilization and intestinal morphology of whiteleg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) maintained on soybean meal‐based diets

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of individual or a combination of nucleotides in soya bean meal‐based diet on growth, survival, apparent digestibility and intestinal condition of whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The experimental protocol comprised a control set, and four test diets that were separately supplemented with 0.1% inosine monophosphate (IMP, D + I), 0.1% guanosine monophosphate (GMP, D + G), 0.1% mixture of IMP and GMP (D + IG) and 0.1% mixture of IMP, GMP, cytidine monophosphate (CMP) and uridine monophosphate (UMP) (D + IGCU). Triplicate groups of the shrimp (initial body weight = 0.99 ± 0.01 g) were fed four times daily for 8 weeks. Results demonstrated that D + G significantly enhanced body weight gain and specific growth rate in the shrimp compared with control and other dietary treatments with the various combinations of nucleotides (p 0.05). Shrimp fed D + G showed significantly higher feed intake and apparent net protein utilization compared with D + IGCU and, control and D + IG (p < 0.05) respectively. Nucleotide supplementation did not significantly improve the crude protein and lipid digestibility coefficients. This was evident when the data on these parameters were compared with those of the control. Shrimp fed D + G showed significantly improved intestinal villus height and body crude protein content (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GMP supplementation in soya bean meal‐based diet enhanced the growth, feed intake, protein utilization and villus height of L. vannamei.

Abiotic stress‐induced changes in nutritive potential of Halamphora subturgida (Hustedt) Levkov and utilization of processed biomass in diets for ornamental gold fish ( Carassius auratus )

The diatom genus, Halamphora subturgida, was exposed to various nitrate salt concentrations (882 µM, 441 μM and 1,764 μM) for a period of 18 days. The Chlorophyll content of diatom biomass (14.95 ± 0.04 µg/ml) reflected better growth, subjected to 1,764 µM NO−3 for a period of 12 days as compared to control (882 µM NO−3) and nitrogen depleted (441 µM NO−3) conditions. Fucoxanthin estimation showed a similar trend as chlorophyll content and reached its peak at nitrogen-repleted (1,764 µM NO−3) condition (25.70 ± 0.03 µg/ml). The total carotenoid (26.92 ± 0.05 µg/ml) and protein content (87.49 ± 0.06 mg/g) were found to be maximal after 12 days of incubation in nitrate sated medium. Thus, the diatom exposed to 12 days' nitrate sated medium (1,764 µM NO−3) was selected as fish feed ingredients to gold fish (Carassius auratus). Total Algal Feed (TAF) was prepared from mixed algal biomass of Halamphora subturgida, Spirulina and Leptolyngbia. The commercial feed (CF) was replaced by varying proportions of algal mix to formulate three different types of Value Added Feed (VAF-25%, 50%, 75% VAF). The feed type formulated as 75% VAF was found to be most effective in terms of skin pigmentation, growth and antioxidant activities of experimental fish showing almost 1.44- to 4- fold increase, compared with the control fish. Body weight gain and specific growth rate also changed significantly in experimental fish.

Effects of dietary xylooligosaccharide on growth performance, enzyme activity and immunity of juvenile grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of xylooligosaccharde (XOS) on growth, immunity and disease resistance of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fish (3.05 ± 0.01 g) were fed with diets containing XOS at levels of 0, 0.05 %, 0.1 %, 0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %. Results showed that the plasma triglyceride content was significantly lower in fish fed dietary 0.05 % and 0.1 % XOS compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Fish fed dietary 0.05 %, 0.1 % and 0.2 % XOS displayed significantly higher final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Fish fed 0.1 % XOS had significantly lower plasma malondialdehyde content and higher lysozyme activity than the control group (P < 0.05). XOS did not affect liver superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content, but significantly reduced MDA content (0.4 % and 0.6 %) (P < 0.05). After Aeromonas hydrophila challenge, 0.1 % XOS significantly improved the survival rate of C. idella compared to that of the control diet (P < 0.05). Thus, the most suitable dietary supplementation level of XOS is 0.1 % for C. idella.

Selenium Nanoparticles Act Potentially on the Growth Performance, Hemato-Biochemical Indices, Antioxidative, and Immune-Related Genes of European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The current study investigated the role of selenium (Se) nanoparticles on the growth performance, hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidative, and immune-related genes of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Therefore, fish with initial weight of 20.53 ± 0.10 g/fish werefed diets with 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg Se nanoparticles/kg diet for 90 days. The final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate of fish fed dietary nano-Se varying levels were significantly higher than the control with the highest performances and lowest FCR in the group of fish fed nano-Se at 0.5mg/kg. The values of Hb, PCV, RBCs, and WBCs were significantly higher in fish fed varying levels of Se nanoparticles than fish fed the basal diets. The values of total serum protein and globulin were significantly higher in fish fed varying levels of Se nanoparticles than fish fed the basal diets. Additionally, globulin had higher value in the group of fish fed 0.25 and 0.5mg nano-Se/kg than fish fed 1mg nano-Se/kg (P < 0.05). No significant alterations were observed on albumin, ALT, and AST variables (P > 0.05). Phagocytic index, phagocytic, lysozyme activities were significantly higher in fish fed varying levels of Se nanoparticles than fish fed the basal diets in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). Further, SOD activity had higher value in the group of fish fed 0.25 and 0.5mg nano-Se/kg than fish fed 1mg nano-Se/kg, whereas CAT was increased in the group of fish fed dietary 0.5mg nano-Se/kg diet (P < 0.05). The level of MDA was significantly lowered by dietary nano-Se where the group of fish fed 0.25mg/kg had the lowest level followed by those fed 0.5 and 1mg/kg. The expression of GH, IGF-1, IL-8, and IL-1β genes had the highest mRNA levels in the group of fish fed 0.25 and 0.5mg/kg followed by those fed 1mg/kg, whereas HSP70 was downregulated. Based on the overall results, Se nanoparticles are recommended at the rate of 0.5-1mg/kg diet to maintain the optimal growth performance, hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidative status, and immune-related genes in European seabass.