Effects of ammonia on growth, digestion and antioxidant capacity in juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846)

Abstract

SummaryEffects of ammonia stress on food ingestion, growth, digestion and antioxidant capacity were investigated in juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson) with initial body weights of 20.24 ± 0.18 g. The fish were reared in triplicate in 15 experimental tanks at a rate of 30 fish per tank for 56 days. Water was maintained at a dissolved oxygen (DO) level of over 6.2 mg L . The results show that the survival, FI, SGR, FCE, and ADC decreased significantly with an increase in total ammonia nitrogen (p < .05), and a significantly negative correlation between SGR and total ammonia nitrogen levels (p < .05). T-AOC, SOD, CAT, GSH-PX and GSH in the blood, liver and gills were found to decline significantly with an increase in the total ammonia nitrogen level (p < .05), while the MDA in the blood, liver and gills was elevated significantly with the increase in total ammonia nitrogen (p < .05). The results indicate a threshold in the induction of the T-AOC and activities of antioxidant enzymes in yellow catfish tissues with a total ammonia nitrogen increase. In the present study the total ammonia nitrogen threshold thus changed from 6.72 mg L −1 in the juvenile yellow catfish.

Sub‐chronic exposure to ammonia inhibits the growth of juvenile Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) mainly by downregulation of growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor axis

“…Many previous investigations have proved that ammonia is a critical environmental limited factor to inhibit fish growth performance. 20,42,43 However, the underlying molecular mechanism of chronic ammonia toxicity on the growth is still unclear. This present 18,20,22,[44][45][46] As we known, the GH/IGF axis play a key part in regulating fish growth.…”

“…20,42,43 However, the underlying molecular mechanism of chronic ammonia toxicity on the growth is still unclear. This present 18,20,22,[44][45][46] As we known, the GH/IGF axis play a key part in regulating fish growth. 25,26 A few current researches have reported that acute ammonia exposure could inhibit mRNA expression levels of GH/IGF-axis genes in fish.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17] Numerous research results have confirmed that above a certain concentration of ammonia have disadvantageous effects on the growth of fish. [18][19][20][21] For instance, the body length and weight of swim-up rainbow trout fry were significantly reduced at an ammonia nitrogen concentration of 16 mg/L. 18 Similarly, the final weight of marbled spinefoot rabbitfish (Siganus rivulatus) decreased along with the increases of ambient ammonia concentration (6, 8, 10 and 12 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen) after a 56-day exposure.…”

“…19 Zhang et al reported marked concentration-dependent decreases in the final body weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and food conversion efficiency in juvenile Pelteobagrus fulvidraco after exposure to 3.36, 6.72, 13.44 and 26.88 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen. 20 Gao et al showed that the SGR of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) decreased significantly after 8 weeks of exposure when ambient ammonia concentration exceeded 0.3 mmol/L. 21 It has also been documented that the SGR of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) treated by 4.5, 9.0 and 18 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen declined to 87.92%, 74.41% and 50.51% of the control group at 42 days after exposure, respectively.…”

The Protective Roles of Dietary Selenium Yeast and Tea Polyphenols on Growth Performance and Ammonia Tolerance of Juvenile Wuchang Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

“…In the present study, hepatic MDA and PC in all experimental groups significantly increased compared with before ammonia, which suggested that acute ammonia exposure induced oxidative stress and protein damage in the liver of juvenile Wuchang bream. Elevated MDA levels have been reported in bighead carp Hypophthalmythys nobilis larvae ( Sun et al, 2012 ), sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) ( Sinha et al, 2015 ), yellow catfish ( Pelteobagrus fulvidraco ) ( Zhang et al, 2016 ) after exposure to ammonia and indicated the occurrence of oxidative stress in fish body. Significantly increased PC were also detected in the brain of mudskipper ( Boleophthalmus boddarti ) exposed to a sublethal concentration of NH 4 Cl (8 mmol/L) for 48 h ( Ching et al, 2009 ).…”