Effects of Different Dietary Protein Levels on the Growth Performance, Physicochemical Indexes, Quality, and Molecular Expression of Yellow River Carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus)

Abstract

A 12-week rearing trial was carried out to estimate effects on the growth performance, physicochemical indexes, quality, and the molecular expression of Yellow River Carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) using five practical diets, including dietary protein levels of 220, 250, 280, 310, and 340 g/kg. The results illustrated that the fish’s weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly influenced, with an ascending dietary protein level of up to 250 g/kg (p < 0.05). The carp muscle contents of total saturated fatty acids (∑SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA), and fatty acids (∑FA) decreased significantly with the ascending dietary protein levels, except for the 250 g/kg protein diet (p < 0.05). Only the glutamic acid and total essential amino acid (∑EAA) contents were significantly influenced by the ascending dietary protein levels (p < 0.05). The relative GH expression of the carp muscle significantly decreased with the increase in the dietary protein level up to 310 g/kg, and then it significantly increased (p < 0.05). In the intestines, the peak relative TOR expression was observed on the 220 g/kg protein diet, while the relative 4EBP1 expression was significantly influenced by the dietary protein level up to 250 g/kg (p < 0.05). In the muscle, the peak relative TOR and 4EBP1 expression levels were observed on the 250 g/kg protein diet. In gills, the lowest relative Rhag, Rhbg, and Rhcg1 expression levels were observed on the 250 g/kg protein diet. Based on all of the aforementioned results, the optimal dietary protein level for Cyprinus carpio haematopterus (160.24 ± 15.56 g) is 250–280 g/kg.

Influence of Dietary Protein Content on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency, Condition Factor, and Length-Weight Relationship in Cyprinus Carpio During the Summer Season

“…Additionally, the growth parameters were shown to increase with dietary protein levels up to 35% in another study (Barlaya et al, 2022). However, it is important to note that the relative GH expression of carp muscle significantly decreased with the increasing dietary protein level up to 310g/ kg in the Yellow River Carp study, and then it significantly increased (Wang et al, 2023).…”

“…DWG, TWG, WGR, RGR, MGR, and SGR were improved after dietary protein levels at a concentration (T2, 28%). A study on the Yellow River Carp demonstrated that the fish's WG and SGR were significantly influenced by the dietary protein level, with an ascending trend up to 250g/ kg (Wang et al, 2023). Another study found that increased dietary protein improved the growth of both growth hormone gene (GH) transgenic and non-transgenic carp (Guo et al, 2021).…”