Effects of Pennisetum sinese Roxb Meal on Growth, Antioxidant Response, and Intestinal Health of Juvenile Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Pennisetum sinese Roxb meal on the growth, antioxidant response, and intestinal health of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). Three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semi-purified diets containing 0% (control group C), 10%, and 20% P. sinese Roxb meal (P1 and P2) were designed (protein level 36%, fat level 9%) and fed to juvenile grass carp (28.51±0.04) g for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weight gain rate and survival rate of fish in the P1 and P2 groups were significantly higher than those in the C group (P<0.05). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the P2 group were significantly lower than those in the C group (P<0.05). The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of the P1 and P2 groups were significantly lower than those of the C group (P<0.05). Fish in the P1 and P2 groups significantly increased their complement of C3 and C4 contents in the serum compared to those in the C group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, these two groups also showed increased hepatic 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and cytochrome C oxidase activities (P<0.05). The intestinal microstructure showed that the intestinal villus height and fold depth in the P1 and P2 groups were significantly increased compared with those in the C group, but the thickness of the muscle layer was reduced (P<0.05). In terms of transcripts, the relative gene expression of intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (tnf-α) and interleukin 1β (il-1β) were significantly down-regulated in the P1 and P2 groups compared with those in the C group. In conclusion, our data showed that 10% and 20% Pennisetum sinese Roxb meal dietary supplementation could enhance the growth, reduce the oxidative response, and improve the health status of the intestine in juvenile grass carp.