Open AccessEffects of zinc oxide supported on zeolite on growth performance, intestinal barrier function and digestive enzyme activities of N ile tilapia
Author(s) -
Hu C. H.,
Xiao K.,
Jiao L.F.,
Song J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
aquaculture nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1365-2095
pISSN - 1353-5773
DOI - 10.1111/anu.12101
Subject(s) - nile tilapia , zinc , digestive enzyme , alkaline phosphatase , biology , feed conversion ratio , barrier function , amylase , medicine , digestion (alchemy) , crypt , lipase , enzyme , zoology , biochemistry , food science , endocrinology , oreochromis , chemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , body weight , chromatography , fishery , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
A total of 720 N ile tilapia fingerlings were allocated to four treatments and used to investigate the effects of zinc oxide supported on zeolite ( Z ‐ Z n O ) on growth performance and intestinal function. The basal diet (control) was not supplemented with zinc and contained 60 mg Z n kg −1 . The other three groups were added 30 mg Z n kg −1 to the basal diet, in which zinc was supplemented as Z ‐ Z n O , Z + Z n O (mixture of zeolite and Z n O ) or Z n SO 4 , respectively. As compared to the control, supplemental Z ‐ Z n O improved ( P < 0.05) specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and survivor ratio; increased ( P < 0.05) villus‐height‐to‐crypt‐depth ratio and transepithelial electrical resistance; decreased ( P < 0.05) mucosal‐to‐serosal flux of dextran 4 kDa; and improved ( P < 0.05) intestinal activities of protease, amylase, lipase and alkaline phosphatase. Fish fed with Z ‐ Z n O had higher ( P < 0.05) specific growth rate and PER , and better intestinal barrier function than those fed with Z n SO 4 or Z + Z n O . The zinc concentrations in whole body and vertebrae were not affected by dietary treatments. The results indicated that Z ‐ Z n O improved intestinal morphology, barrier function and digestive enzyme activities. Such changes in intestinal health in the presence of Z ‐ Z n O might contribute to its improvement in growth performance.