Effect of ration level on growth performance, body composition, intermediary metabolism and serum parameters in juvenile Patagonian blennie Eleginops maclovinus

This study aimed to determine the optimum feed ration during 90 days based on growth performance, body composition, intermediary metabolism, and serum parameters. For this, fish were randomly assigned to rations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4% of body weight. No fish mortality was registered, but all fish, developed fatty liver. The results of weight, length, growth performance (WGR, SGR), and body parameters (HSI, VSI and K) followed a similar pattern, with the lowest values observed in the 0.5% and no significant differences between rations of 1, 2 and 4%. The feed intake and feces increased with the feed ration. However, the percentage of food consumed by the fish decreased with the ration size and the feed conversion ratio was lowest in the 1% ration. Total serum proteins and calcium were lowest in the 0.5% ration and presented no differences in the rations 1, 2 and 4%, while triglyceride content was significantly different only between the rations of 0.5 and 4%. Blood cortisol levels were significantly higher in the rations of 0.5 and 1%, and decreased in rations of 2 and 4%. The lipids, fiber, and energy of the total body mass increased with the feed ration, while dry matter, proteins, and ash of the body decreased to higher feed ration. In liver, triglyceride and protein levels decreased with a larger feed ration, amino acids increased in the rations of 0.5 and 4%, while glucose levels increased in rations of 2 and 4%. Liver enzymes Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and Glutamat...
Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research