Open AccessEffect of increased dietary protein level in meagre ( Argyrosomus regius ) juvenile growth and muscle cellularity
Author(s) -
Saavedra M.,
Pereira T.G.,
CandeiasMendes A.,
Carvalho L.,
PousãoFerreira P.,
Conceição L.E.C.
Publication year - 2018
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.12654
Subject(s) - biology , juvenile , dietary protein , zoology , muscle protein , fish <actinopterygii> , compensatory growth (organ) , endocrinology , skeletal muscle , fishery , ecology , kidney
Abstract In this study, two different dietary protein levels were tested (500 and 600 g/kg) in meagre juveniles of approximately 2 g, to determine whether a higher body protein diet would favour muscle growth. Results showed that meagre survival and growth were not affected by different levels of dietary protein. However, a higher content of protein was observed in the body composition of meagre fed the P60 diet (656 g/kg versus 624 g/kg). When fish were 82 days after hatched (DAH), protein retention efficiency was significantly higher in fish that were fed the P50 diet (37.1% versus 32.5%). Muscle cellularity changed considerably from the beginning to the end of the trial. The contribution of fibre hyperplasia to muscle growth was reduced although still accounted for 30% in 96 DAH meagre. Several differences were found in the frequency of fibres with areas between 1,000 μm 2 and 2,200 μm 2 between younger and older meagre, but no effect was found associated with dietary protein. This study suggests that neither growth nor muscle cellularity of fast‐growing juvenile meagre is positively affected by an increased dietary protein levels.