The goal of this study was to characterize the nutritional contribution of microalgae to white-legged shrimp and optimize fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) inclusion levels in their diets in the presence of microalgae. Phytoplankton composition was first determined in a typical Peruvian intensive commercial shrimp farm and in a semi-closed greenhouse-covered reservoir. A predominance of 76.3% cyanobacteria was observed for most of 9 months in all shrimp ponds. However, with the fertilization program in a reservoir tank, 60.7% diatoms and 22.8% cyanobacteria predominated. Thus, with the imposed fertilization regimen, the microalgae composition was manipulated to be different than that in commercial shrimp ponds. The microalgae composition was then evaluated along with different dietary levels of FM and squid meal (SM) in a feeding trial to evaluate the potential of phytoplankton to reduce FM and SM levels in shrimp feeds. Six diets were formulated to contain either 5, 10 or 20% SM combined with either 6.5 or 12% FM. Dietary effects on growth and survival were compared in a "clear-water system" (CWS) and a "green-water system" (GWS). Results suggest that 6.5% FM and 5% SM can be used as a cost-effective combination in feeds for shrimp. The effects of different dietary levels of FO and soybean lecithin (LT) on shrimp growth in CWS and GWS were evaluated in another feeding trial to determine if dietary phospholipids and phytoplankton increase the availability of essential fatty acids (EFAs) to shrimp. Six diets were formulated to contain 1, 2 or 3% FO combined with either 1 or 4% LT. Shrimp fed diets containing 1% LT and 1% FO in both systems had significantly lower weight gain and higher feed conversion ratio. Cephalothorax lipids and phospholipids were higher in shrimp fed diets containing 4% LT. Inclusion of 4% LT increased the availability of EFAs, and could contribute to reduce the FO in shrimp diets. The contribution of phytoplankton to shrimp weight gain, varied from 38.8 to 60.6%. This study demonstrated that cost-effective diets could be formulated with reduced inclusion levels of FM and FO considering the contribution of microalgae to the nutrition of shrimp.

Fish provides important nutrients, including the omega-3 fatty acids (£s-3 PUFAs) but it also contains toxic contaminants, such as mercury (Hg) that may decrease the advantage of fish consumption. Therefore, balancing the nutritional requirements for £s-3 PUFAs and risks associated with mercury is an important issue for fish consumption. The aim of this study is to analyze the fatty acid compositions and mercury concentrations of several common wild and farmed fishes in Taiwan in order to evaluate the potential health benefits and risks of fish consumption. Wild and farmed fish sample were collected between 2010 and 2012 from trawlings, local fish markets, and aquaculture farms in western Taiwan. A total of 32 species of fish were collected. Dorsal muscle was dissected, dried, and homogenized. The proximate composition including crude lipid, crude protein, moisture, ash, and fatty acid composition, as well as mercury concentration in the muscle were analyzed. The fishes that were investigated were lean to medium in fat content. Content of £s-3 PUFAs were higher in the carnivorous fishes (0.96¡Ó0.62 g/100 g flesh weight) than in the herbivorous or omnivorous species (0.86¡Ó0.35 g/100 g flesh weight). The crude lipid contents in the wild fishes (6.7¡Ó3.7%) were lower in crude lipid contents than their farmed counterparts (12.1¡Ó7.5%). Fish £s-3 PUFAs concentrations were significantly increased with crude lipid content (p< 0.05). Mean mercury concentrations of all samples (0.048¡Ó0.038 mg/kg flesh weight) were lower than the common food safety standard (0.5 mg/kg flesh weight). Similar to the £s-3 PUFAs, the mean mercury concentrations were higher in the carnivorous fishes (0.06¡Ó0.04 mg/kg flesh weight) than in the herbivorous and omnivorous fishes (0.02¡Ó0.01 mg/kg flesh weight) and higher in the wild fishes (0.052 mg/kg flesh weight) than farmed fishes (0.031 mg/kg flesh weight). From the results of the present study, we can conclude that: to obtain the health benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids with a safe amount of mercury intake, the consumption of high EPA+DHA species (EPA+DHA concentrations are higher than 2 g/100 g flesh weight), such as croaker twice a week (3 oz/serving), or medium EPA+DHA species (EPA+DHA concentrations are between 1.02 to 1.34 g/100 g flesh weight),like fourfinger threadfin, Belanger¡¦s croaker, blue mackerel, and flathead grey mullet 3-4 times a week are desirable. In the case of consume tilapia or milkfish (EPA+DHA concentrations are between 0.60 to 0.72 g/100 g flesh weight) for cardiovascular disease preventative purposes, daily consumption of the fishes are beneficial. Furthermore, those people who have potential cardiovascular disease should double the amount of fish consumption suggested above. Accordingly, for those in the tropical Asian region, consumption of the amount of fish intake stated in this thesis would not exceed the safe Hg intake limit.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to full text for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien asb volteks vir opsomming

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets with different speeds of protein digestion on performance, composition, metabolic parameters, glucose curve and protein absorption curve of silver catfishes. The effect of adding tannin to experimental diets with rapid digestion protein sources was also evaluated in relation to digestive and metabolic responses. Assays were performed in vitro for selection of protein sources with different digestion rates, which composed the following diets: PS- fishmeal (slow speed digestion) and soybean meal (fast speed digestion), PC: fishmeal and canola meal (average speed of digestion), PCS- fish meal, canola meal and soybean meal, PStan- fish meal and soybean meal (with addition of 1.5% tannin) and PCStan- fishmeal, canola meal and soybean meal (with addition of 1.5% tannin). The biological assay of growth was composed by 375 juvenile catfish (38 ± 3 g initial weight), which were divided into 15 experimental units, composing five treatments with three replications. At the end of 60 days, the animals were weighed and their size measured. Samples of blood, fillet, liver and digestive tract were taken. The proximate analysis of whole fish was also accomplished. Glucose and protein contents were determined in blood samples before feeding and hour after delivery of the experimental diets (2.5% weight), totaling 12 points of analysis. The apparent diet digestibility was determined in the diet and feces with chromium oxide as an indicator. The in vitro digestion analysis show large differences in the digestion of different protein ingredients and diets, as well as animal performance. The PS diet tends to lead to higher performance, higher carcass protein deposition, lower levels of carcass fat and lower protein retention, compared to PC diet. Indexes and hepato-somatic gonad were higher in animals PS diet, compared to PC diet. The PS diet also showed the best results for apparent digestibility, whereas diets with tannin showed the worst protein digestibility. The PCStan diet showed changes in blood parameters, which combined with glucose curve, may show an indication of animal stress. For other analyzes (liver and digestive tract), no differences were observed. Based on these results, we can conclude that: animal performance was not affected by the diets. The animals fed the PS diet had higher protein retention in the carcass. There were changes in blood parameters of animals from treatments with tannin and treatment PS. The addition of tannins in the diets did not improve performance, and its addition worsened the apparent digestibility of the ration. / O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de dietas com diferentes velocidades de digestão proteica sobre o desempenho, composição centesimal, parâmetros metabólicos, curva glicêmica e curva de absorção proteica de jundiás. O efeito da adição de tanino às dietas experimentais com fontes proteicas de rápida digestão também foi avaliado quanto às respostas digestivas e metabólicas dos animais. Foram realizados testes in vitro para seleção de fontes proteicas com diferentes tempos de digestão, que compuseram as dietas experimentais: PS- farinha de peixe (lenta velocidade de digestão) e farelo de soja (rápida velocidade de digestão); PC- farinha de peixe e farelo de canola (média velocidade de digestão), PCS: farinha de peixe, farelo de canola e de soja, PStan- farinha de peixe e farelo de soja (com adição de 1,5% de tanino) e PCStan- farinha de peixe, farelo de canola e de soja (com adição de 1,5% de tanino). No ensaio biológico de crescimento foram utilizados 375 juvenis de jundiá (38 ± 3g de peso inicial), divididos em 15 unidades experimentais em cinco tratamentos e três repetições. Ao final de 60 dias experimentais os animais foram pesados e medidos e realizadas coletas de sangue, filé, fígado e trato digestório, bem como, realizada análise centesimal de peixe inteiro. As curvas glicêmica e proteica foram determinadas a partir da coleta de sangue antes do arraçoamento e de hora em hora após o fornecimento das rações experimentais (2,5% peso vivo), totalizando 12 pontos de análise. Para a digestibilidade aparente das rações para os jundiás foi utilizado o óxido de cromo como indicador, quantificado nas rações e fezes. Foram observadas nas curvas de digestão in vitro, diferenças marcantes quanto à digestão dos diferentes ingredientes proteicos e das rações, se refletindo no desempenho dos animais. Mesmo sem mostrar diferenças significativas, foi possível observar uma tendência da dieta PS, que teve curva de digestão mais estável, a melhores resultados de desempenho e de deposição proteica na carcaça, quando comparada à dieta PC, com menores valores de gordura na carcaça, porém com menor retenção de proteína. Os índices hepato e gonado-somático foram maiores nos animais do tratamento PS, em comparação com os do tratamento PC. O tratamento PS, também apresentou os melhores resultados para digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes das rações, enquanto as dietas com adição de tanino apresentaram os piores resultados de digestibilidade de proteína das rações. Também na dieta PCStan, observou-se alterações nos parâmetros sanguíneos, o que aliado a curva glicêmica pode mostrar um indicativo de estresse nos animais alimentados com essa dieta. Para as demais análises (fígado e trato digestivo), não foram observadas diferenças. Com base nos resultados encontrados, pode-se concluir que: o desempenho dos animais não foi afetado pelas dietas. Os animais alimentados com a dieta PS apresentaram maior retenção de proteína na carcaça. Houve alterações nos parâmetros sanguíneos dos animais dos tratamentos com tanino e do tratamento PS. A adição de tanino nas dietas não apresentou melhora no desempenho, sendo que sua adição piorou a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da ração.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of processing waste and discard of jundiá used in the diet of this species, verifying its influence on growth, serum biochemistry, liver and digestive parameters. In the first experiment, 50 fish per experimental unit were used (initial weight = 5.53 ± 0.09 g). Four diets were tested: control, composed of 30% swine meat and bone meal (FCO); diet composed of 30% jundiá whole fish meal (FJPI); diet composed of 30% jundiá carcasses with viscera meal (FCJCV), and diet composed of 30% jundiá carcasses without viscera meal (FCJSV). In the second experiment, the diets tested different levels of FCJCV (0, 3.75, 7.5, 15, and 30%). Thirty fish per experimental unit were used (initial weight = 7.2 ± 0.27 g). We collected data on weight, condition factor, specific growth rate, feed conversion, daily weight gain, and protein retention rate. We also analyzed serum biochemistry, liver, intestinal and stomach parameters. In the first experiment, we observed higher final weight, daily weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion, and deposition of body protein with the FCJCV treatment. In the second experiment, the inclusion of 30% FCJCV promoted higher weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion, and body protein deposition. The incorporation of processing waste meal of jundiá in the diet altered serum biochemistry, liver and digestive parameters, but did not influence the fish growth. A higher growth of jundiá juveniles was observed with the inclusion of 30% FCJCV in the diet / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização de resíduos de processamento e descartes de jundiás aplicados na dieta de juvenis desta espécie, verificando sua influência no crescimento, bioquímica sérica, parâmetros hepáticos e digestivos. No experimento I foram utilizados 50 peixes/ unidade experimental (peso inicial = 5,53 ± 0,09 g). As dietas testadas foram: controle (30% farinha de carne e ossos suína) (FCO), substituída por farinha de jundiás peixe inteiro (FJPI); farinha de carcaças de jundiás com vísceras (FCJCV); e farinha de carcaças de jundiás sem vísceras (FCJSV). No experimento II, foram utilizados 30 jundiás/unidade experimental (peso inicial = 7,2 ±0,27 g). Foram testadas dietas com diferentes níveis (0 ; 3,75; 7,5 ; 15; e 30%) de incorporação de (FCJCV). Foram coletados dados de peso, fator de condição, taxa de crescimento específico, conversão alimentar aparente, ganho em peso diário, taxa de retenção proteica. Foram analisados também a bioquímica sérica,os parâmetros hepáticos, intestinais e estomacais. No experimento I, obtivemos maior peso final, ganho médio diário de peso, taxa de crescimento específico, conversão alimentar aparente, deposição de proteína corporal para o tratamento FCJCV. No experimento II, o nível de 30% de inclusão de FCJCV promoveu o maior ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento específico, conversão alimentar aparente, deposição proteica corporal. A inclusão de farinhas de resíduo de jundiá na dieta altera a bioquímica sérica, os parâmetros hepáticos e digestivos, porém estas alterações não influenciaram no crescimento dos peixes. A inclusão de 30% de FCJCV na dieta proporciona bom crescimento dos juvenis de jundiá.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:47:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Edson_Richart.pdf: 998274 bytes, checksum: 1e2e2ed50b8a45af5839a0ad5d66aef4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In order to conduct a nutritional evaluation of meal from tilapia filleting industrial waste (FRIFT) for barrows from 15 to 30 kg, three experiments were accomplished: energy digestibility, amino acids digestibility and animal performance. In the first experiment, the chemical composition and digestible and metabolizable energy of FRIFT was determined, using eight crossbred barrows with average initial weight of 15.10kg ±0.74kg were used, which were distributed individually in metabolism cages. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and four replicates per treatment. The FRIFT replaced 20% the reference diet, based on corn, soybean meal, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The experimental period lasted 12 days, of which seven to adapt to the cages and the experimental diets and five days for collection of urine and feces. The values of fat, Ca and P of FRIFT, corresponding to 16.82, 6.98 and 3.52%, were higher than those found in the literature. The values of digestible and metabolizable energy of FRIFT corresponded to 3,632 and 3,260 kcal/kg, respectively, for crossbred barrows from 15 to 30 kg. In the second experiment, the coefficients of ileal digestibility of amino acids of FRIFT were determined, having been used 8 crossbred barrows, with an average initial weight of 15.00 ± 0.27 kg, in a completely randomized design with two treatments and four replications and the treatments consisted of a basal diet whose the only protein source was FRIFT, and other protein-free diet, in order to determine the excretion of endogenous amino acids. The basal diet was formulated with sugar, starch, rice hulls, soybean oil, vitamins, minerals and additives. The chromic oxide was used as an indicator in determining the digestibility coefficients. The animals were fed twice daily, based on metabolic size, during 6 days. The pigs were then submitted to the collection of ileal digesta, by the method of sacrifice. The dry matter, crude protein, amino acid and chromic oxide of digesta, rations and feeds were determined. The endogenous loss of amino acids was variable, as leucine and threonine showed the greatest losses, of 33 and 28 mg / kg DIP consumed, respectively. The coefficients of true ileal digestibility of amino acids of FRIFT for arginine, lysine and methionine were 84.46, 76.60 and 82.43%, respectively, similar to those proposed in contemporary literature. In the third experiment, the growth performance and economic were evaluated for barrows fed diets containing different levels of FRIFT. A total of 40 crossbred barrows with an initial weight of 15.00 ± 0.87 kg were used in a randomized block design, with five treatments (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% FRIFT), 4 replicates and 2 animals per experimental unit, distributed in treatments based on kinship and initial weight. The animals were housed in demonstrative experimental nursery endowed with elevated metal pens, polypropylene floor and screened sides, equipped with semi-automatic feeders and nipple drinkers, located in masonry building. The experimental diets were formulated based on corn, soybean meal, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and additives. Levels of 0 to 10% of FRIFT inclusion in the diets did not affect the final weight (FW) and average daily gain (ADG) of pigs by Dunnett test (P<0.05), but 15% of FRIFT inclusion resulted in decrease of FW and ADG. The average values of feed conversion (FC) were different (P<0.05) by Dunnett test only for the highest level of FRIFT inclusion in relation to the reference diet. For this level (20% FRIFT), there was increase in FC and therefore worsening in pigs performance. There was decreasing linear effect of levels of FRIFT on variables FW (P=0.01), ADG (P=0.01) and increased linear effect on FC (P=0.01). There was no difference (P>0.05) for the total cost of ration (TCR) in any level of inclusion of FRIFT by Dunnett test, compared with the reference diet. Even though, the proportional gain of pigs (PGP) and bioeconomic index (BI) had the best results (P<0.05) only for the reference diet, and 5% of FRIFT has worsened in results. The ratio proportional gain of pigs: feed cost (PGP:FC) worsened (P<0.05) with 10% of FRIFT inclusion in the diets. Levels up to 10% of FRIFT inclusion in diets for barrows from 15 to 30kg, replacing soybean meal, did not harm the ADG and FC of the animals. However, the inclusion of 5% FRIFT impaired the economic performance, making it impracticable to include this food in diets for starting pigs / Com o objetivo de realizar uma avaliação nutricional da farinha dos resíduos industriais de filetagem da tilápia (FRIFT) para suínos, machos castrados, dos 15 aos 30 kg, foram realizados três experimentos: digestibilidade da energia, digestibilidade dos aminoácidos e desempenho zootécnico. No primeiro experimento, foi determinada a composição bromatológica e os valores de energia digestível e metabolizável da FRIFT, utilizando-se 8 suínos, com peso médio inicial de 15,10kg ± 0,74kg, os quais foram distribuídos individualmente em gaiolas de metabolismo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos e quatro repetições por tratamento. A FRIFT substituiu em 20% a ração referência, à base de milho, farelo de soja, vitaminas, minerais e aminoácidos. O período experimental teve duração de 12 dias, dos quais sete de adaptação às gaiolas e às rações experimentais e cinco dias de coleta de urina e fezes. Os teores de gordura, Ca e P da FRIFT, correspondentes a 16,82; 6,98 e 3,52%; foram superiores aos encontrados na literatura. Os valores de energia digestível e metabolizável da FRIFT corresponderam a 3.632 e 3.260 kcal/kg, respectivamente, para suínos mestiços, machos castrados, dos 15 aos 30 kg. No segundo experimento, foram determinados os coeficientes de digestibilidade ileal dos aminoácidos da FRIFT, tendo sido utilizados 8 suínos, mestiços, machos castrados, com peso médio inicial de 15,00 ±0,27 kg, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos constituídos de uma ração basal, cuja única fonte protéica era a FRIFT, e outra ração sem proteína, com a finalidade de determinar a excreção endógena de aminoácidos. A ração basal foi formulada à base de açúcar, amido, casca de arroz, óleo de soja, vitaminas, minerais e aditivos. Utilizou-se o óxido crômico como indicador na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade. Os animais foram arraçoados duas vezes ao dia, com base no tamanho metabólico, durante 6 dias. Os suínos foram então submetidos à coleta das digestas ileais, pelo método do sacrifício. Foram determinados os valores de matéria seca, proteína bruta, óxido crômico e aminoácidos das digestas, rações e dos alimentos. A perda endógena de aminoácidos foi variável, sendo que leucina e treonina apresentaram as maiores perdas, de 33 e 28 mg/kg de DIP consumida, respectivamente. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade ileal verdadeira dos aminoácidos da FRIFT, para arginina, lisina e metionina foram de 84,46; 76,60 e 82,43%, respectivamente, sendo semelhantes aos propostos na literatura contemporânea. No terceiro experimento, foi avaliado o desempenho zootécnico e econômico de suínos alimentados com rações contendo diferentes níveis de FRIFT. Foram utilizados 40 suínos, com peso inicial de 15,00 ±0,87 kg, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com 5 tratamentos (0; 5; 10; 15 e 20% de FRIFT), 4 repetições e 2 animais por unidade experimental, distribuídos nos tratamentos com base no parentesco e peso inicial. Os animais foram alojados na creche demonstrativa experimental, dotada de baias metálicas suspensas, piso de polipropileno e laterais teladas, dotadas de comedouros semi-automáticos e de bebedouros tipo chupeta, localizada em prédio de alvenaria. As rações experimentais foram formuladas à base de milho, farelo de soja, minerais, vitaminas, aminoácidos e aditivos. Níveis de 0 a 10% de inclusão de FRIFT nas rações não alteraram o peso final (PF) e o ganho de peso diário (GPD) dos suínos, pelo teste de Dunnett (P<0,05), sendo que a partir de 15% de inclusão de FRIFT já houve decréscimo no PF e GPD dos animais. As médias da variável conversão alimentar (CA) diferiram (P<0,05), pelo teste de Dunnett, apenas para o último nível de inclusão de FRIFT em relação à ração referência. Para este nível (20% de FRIFT), houve aumento no valor da CA e, portanto, piora no desempenho os suínos. Houve efeito linear decrescente dos níveis de inclusão de FRIFT sobre as variáveis PF (P=0,01), GPD (P=0,01) e efeito linear crescente sobre a CA (P=0,01). Não foi observada diferença (P>0,05) para o custo total da ração (CTR) em nenhum dos níveis de inclusão de FRIFT, pelo teste de Dunnett, quando comparados com a ração referência. Ainda assim, as variáveis ganho proporcional de suínos (GPS) e índice bioeconômico (IBE) apresentaram os melhores resultados (P<0,05) apenas para a ração referência, sendo que a partir de 5% de inclusão de FRIFT já houve piora nos resultados. Já a relação ganho proporcional de suínos:custo da ração (GP:CR) apresentou piora (P<0,05) a partir de 10% de inclusão da FRIFT nas rações. Níveis de até 10% de inclusão da FRIFT, em rações para suínos, machos castrados, dos 15 aos 30kg, em substituição ao farelo de soja, não prejudicaram o GPD e a CA dos animais. Entretanto, a inclusão de 5% de FRIFT influenciou negativamente as variáveis de desempenho econômico, tornando inviável a inclusão desse alimento em dietas para suínos na fase inicial

During preliminary research on cobia (Rachycentron canadum, L.) it became increasingly clear that more in-depth information was required to provide enabling techniques for the cobia aquaculture industry to develop more rapidly. A unifying theme in many of the more important issues facing cobia aquaculture is nutrition. This led to nutritional investigations with larval and juvenile fish highlighting the impacts of dietary ingredients on animal performance. Indeed, nutrition can be viewed as a central lever of action through which many aspects of the physiology and the environmental (water) quality of the animal can be controlled. The first project focused on studying the larval development of cobia, a fish species highly suitable for aquaculture for which the industry is nascent. I described the time-course of development of external sensory organs, gut morphology and relevant digestive enzymes under controlled conditions using electron microscopy, histology and spectrophotometric assays. The developmental sequence of larval cobia could be separated in two phases, with a transition period between 12 and 14 days post hatch (dph). This transition is characterized by the formation of the intestinal loop, the establishment of basic cranial neuromast configuration, leading to the initiation of the onset of pancreatic enzymes and the increase of growth rate. In addition, the effects of dietary taurine supplementation and incorporation of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) into live feeds on cobia larvae development was examined. Fish fed supplementary MOS did not grow faster but displayed higher microvilli length and density. In addition, MOS-fed fish were more resistant to salinity stress. The dietary supplementation of taurine resulted in a dramatic increase in survival, growth and development rates, and enzymatic activities. The second project aimed at refining cobia juvenile nutrition, assessing fish meal and fish oil replacements. Novel sources, including soy protein and oil, were investigated with and without amino acid and MOS supplementations, yielding promising results. Indeed, both fish meal and fish oil were replaced completely and successfully in feeds for juvenile cobia. In addition, novel ingredients (e.g. marine algae meals and soy protein concentrate) were identified to effectively achieve such replacement. The third and last project dealt with nutrient-gene interactions, specifically centering attention on immunostimulants for which the underlying mechanisms of action remain poorly characterized. Here, dietary MOS, nucleotides and selenomethionine (Se-met) were offered to zebrafish whose transcriptome was analyzed by microarray. The immune system, humoral or cellular, innate or adaptive, exhibited different patterns of response according to the immunostimulating nutrient used. In addition, various genes involved in cell cycle and cytokinesis were concomitantly expressed. An intriguing observation related to the insulinomimetic effect of Se-met. In other words, Se-met impacted pathways normally regulated by insulin, such as the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Some Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGF) and IGF bindgin proteins were up-regulated. Additional research is however necessary prior to advocating for the use of these additives, in order to further investigate their respective pros and cons. / Ph. D.

A series of experiments were conducted to measure the mode of action by which fishmeal exerts its effect on milk composition of dairy cows. Production Study One measured the effect of increased fishmeal intake on milk production and milk composition in dairy cattle. Milk fat percentage and yield were decreased by increased fishmeal intake. This decrease was not associated with changes in ruminal fermentation patterns. Plasma long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased with increased fishmeal intake. Mammary slices from lactating bovine mammary gland were incubated with eicosapentaenoic acid. Changes in ¹⁴C-acetate metabolism were measured. Acetate oxidation and incorporation into milk lipid were not changed by eicosapentaenoic acid. However, tissue from mammary gland of cows milked 6 to 8 h prior to slaughter had 2 fold higher activity than tissue milked 1 h before slaughter. Disappearance of dry matter, crude protein, and lipid in fish meal from undegradable bags in the rumen was measured. Dry matter and crude protein degradation of fish meal were similar to published values. Lipid escaped rapidly with greater than 70% removed by 8 h. A subsequent fish oil infusion study revealed that intraruminal fish oil treatment did not significantly alter ruminal fermentation, or change fatty acid profiles in duodenal digesta, plasma, or milk. Duodenal infusion increased plasma concentrations of n-3 fatty acids but did not affect milk lipid fatty acid composition. A second production study compared the effects of fish meal versus fish oil on milk production and composition, and changes in fatty acids in plasma and milk. Fish meal significantly increased plasma n-3 fatty acids compared to the fish oil treatment. Residual fatty acids contained in fish meal seemed to be protected from rumen degradation and probably remained intact for digestion and absorption since plasma n-3 fatty acid concentrations increased. No changes in milk yield or composition were due to the experimental treatments. Fat in fish meal and fish oil source differed significantly in their ability to alter milk composition and plasma fatty acid profiles. / Ph. D.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Atualmente, hà grande esforÃo de pesquisa no sentido de se substituir, parcial ou totalmente, a farinha de peixe das raÃÃes artificiais por fontes protÃicas vegetais, visando menores custos, e maior previsibilidade de produÃÃo. O presente trabalhou objetivou avaliar o desempenho zootÃcnico de juvenis do camarÃo marinho Litopenaeus vannamei (1,59  0,46 g) cultivados em laboratÃrio sob condiÃÃes controladas durante 72 dias, sendo estocados em 50 tanques circulares de polietileno de 500 L, na densidade de 40 camarÃes/tanque (70 camarÃes/mÂ). No estudo, o concentrado protÃico de soja foi o principal substituto da farinha de peixe, e o Ãleo de soja o principal substituto do Ãleo de peixe. Oito raÃÃes experimentais foram formuladas combinando quatro nÃveis de inclusÃo de farinha de peixe e dois nÃveis de inclusÃo de Ãleo de peixe (120/20, 120/ 10, 85/20, 85/10, 50/20, 50/10, 0/20 e 0/10), o primeiro nÃmero se refere à inclusÃo de farinha de peixe em g kg-1 e o segundo nÃmero se refere à inclusÃo de Ãleo de peixe em g kg-1. Houve diferenÃa significativa no crescimento semanal, peso final, consumo total de raÃÃo, FCA, produtividade e TEP em funÃÃo do percentual de inclusÃo de farinha de peixe nas dietas, jà para sobrevivÃncia e VPP nÃo houve diferenÃa significativa. Pode ser concluÃdo que à possÃvel diminuir o nÃvel de inclusÃo de farinha de peixe na dieta de 120 g.kg- 1 para 85 g.kg-1 sem comprometer o crescimento dos camarÃes somente se a dieta contiver, no mÃnimo, 10 g.kg-1 de Ãleo de peixe. Se o nÃvel de inclusÃo de Ãleo de peixe cair para 10 g kg-1, a inclusÃo mÃnima de farinha de peixe sem prejuÃzo zootÃcnico serà para 85 g kg-1. Houve perda significativa na taxa de crescimento do L. vannamei quando se retirou por completo a farinha de peixe da dieta, independentemente do nÃvel de inclusÃo de Ãleo de peixe testado (20 ou 10 g kg-1). Trabalhos futuros sÃo requeridos para avaliar outros nÃveis de inclusÃo, tÃcnicas de produÃÃo baratas, ingredientes alternativos à farinha de peixe etc / Currently, there are many studies to replace total or part of fishmeal in the artificial feeds by plant protein sources in order to lower costs and greater predictability of production. The study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (1.59  0.46 g) reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions for 72 days. They were stored in 50 polyethylene circular tanks of 500 L at the density of 40 shrimp/tank (70 shrimp/m2). Soybean protein concentrate was the main substitute for fish meal and the soybean oil was the main substitute for fish oil. Eight experimental feeds were formulated combining four levels of inclusion of fish meal and two levels of fish oil (120/20, 120/10, 85/20, 85/10, 50/20, 50/10, 0//20 and 0/10). The first number refers to the inclusion of fishmeal (g kg-1) and the second number refers to the inclusion of fish oil (g kg-1). Differences were significant in weekly growth, weight gain, final weight, total feed intake, FCR, yield and PER based on the percentage of inclusion of fishmeal in diets. Survival and ANPU were not significant. Results showed that it is possible to reduce the level of inclusion of fishmeal in the diet of 120 g kg-1 to 85 g.kg-1 and this doesnât compromise the shrimp growth only if the diet contains at least 10 g.kg -1 of fish oil. If the level of inclusion of fish oil decreases to 10 g kg-1, the minimum inclusion of fish meal, without prejudice, will be subject to 85 g kg-1. There was a reduction in growth rate of L. vannamei when it was removed completely from the fish meal diet. This fact occurred regardless of inclusion level of tested fish oil (20 or 10 g kg-1). Further work is required to evaluate other levels of inclusion, cheap production techniques, alternative ingredients to fish meal etc

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Jason C. Woodworth / A total of 6,465 nursery pigs were used in 8 experiments. Experiment 1 investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) or fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on nursery pig growth performance. A LP × FSBM interaction was detected for G:F, where LP and FSBM individually improved G:F, but the effect was not additive. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of increasing levels of LP on nursery pig performance. No evidence for differences in growth performance were observed among dietary treatments. Experiment 3 and 4 examined the effects of fish meal source and level on nursery pig growth performance. Overall, a source × level interaction for ADG, G:F and final BW was observed as increasing fish meal source 1 improved ADG and G:F; however, pigs fed fish meal source 2 had improved ADG and G:F at 3%, but decreased at 6%. Pigs fed fish meal source 3 had no further improvements in ADG and G:F beyond the 3% inclusion. No evidence for differences were detected between the dietary treatments for ADFI. Experiment 5 evaluated the effects of feeding fish solubles on nursery pig performance. Pigs fed diets with fish meal had increased ADG and ADFI compared to pigs fed the control diet. There was no evidence for differences in growth performance as fish solubles increased. Experiment 6 and 7 investigated the effects of enzymatically-treated soybean meal (ESBM) on nursery pig performance. Results indicated that nursery pigs fed diets with greater than 9% of ESBM resulted in decreased ADFI and final BW. Experiment 8 evaluated the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) on nursery pig performance. Increasing dEB in diets from weaning to 21-d after weaning resulted in an increase in ADG and BW, which was the result of a marginally significant improvement in ADFI and G:F. Finally, an experiment was conducted to determine the optimal strategy for collecting and submitting samples that adequately describe the nutrient levels in diets collected from a commercial swine facility. Sampling feeders with a probe resulted in less variability on an individual basis, but seemed to get washed out when individual samples were pooled to form a composite sample.