Effect of nucleotide-containing feed on growth and biochemical parameters of juvenile Japanese sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (selenka, 1867) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

Abstract

The effect of multicomponent feed formulae on body weight and survival rate of juvenile Japanese sea cucumber was studied at a hatchery farm. It has been found that the growth rate of juveniles exposed to a constant water temperature and salinity is high. DNA from salmon milt, included in the feed formula at a concentration of 1mg/kg, exhibits a stimulating effect on juveniles' growth parameters. A higher DNA content of feed (5mg/kg) reduces its feed conversion ratio. Salmon milk DNA was manufactured by salt extraction and ethyl alcohol precipitation. The product is a fragment of nucleoproteins with a mass of about 300kDa.The seasonal water freshening causes the growth rate and the rate of feed consumption to decrease. The introduction of DNA in feed contributes to the accumulation of larger amounts of protein and hexosamines in tissues of juvenile sea cucumbers as compared to the control.