The Impact of Two Different Cold-Extruded Feeds and Feeding Regimens on Zebrafish Survival, Growth and Reproductive Performance

Abstract

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the top model organisms used in biomedical research. Therefore, it is fundamental that zebrafish facilities continuously improve husbandry methods to provide fish with the best physiological and welfare conditions that suit each experimental purpose. Nutrition is a husbandry aspect that needs further optimization, as it greatly affects growth, reproduction, health and behaviour. Here, we have compared the impact of different feeding regimens on zebrafish survival, growth and reproductive performance. Mutant and wild-type zebrafish were raised using several combinations of two cold-extruded processed feeds—Skretting®GemmaMicro and Sparos®Zebrafeed—and one live feed (rotifers). Zebrafeed® outperformed GemmaMicro® in terms of survival rate, and embryo viability was also higher when the spawners were fed with Zebrafeed® either from larval stage or upon sexual maturation. In contrast, GemmaMicro® favoured growth, both in size and weight. The use of rotifers until 60 days post-fertilization improved survival of fish co-fed with GemmaMicro®, while delaying their growth. Zebrafeed® performance was not affected by co-feeding rotifers. Overall, we showed that different nutritional formulas affect physiological parameters, allowing for the establishment of feeding protocols adapted to the objectives of each facility. At the same time, we validated Skretting®GemmaMicro and Sparos®Zebrafeed as two commercially available feeds that are well suited for zebrafish nutrition in a laboratory environment.

Influence of Commercial and Laboratory Diets on Growth, Body Composition, and Reproduction in the Zebrafish Danio rerio

“…A proximate analysis revealed considerable differences in crude protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrate content among the diets tested in this study, indicating substantial variation in nutrient profiles among these feeds. Our data, along with results from previous studies, [64][65][66][67][68] clearly demonstrate that variations in dietary ingredients and corresponding nutrient composition among commercially available Negative coefficients represent a lower spawning probability or lower predicted value relative to Artemia, whereas positive coefficients represent a higher spawning probability or higher predicted value. Dependent variables: spawning success = probability of successful spawn; total egg production = predicted mean clutch size; embryo viability = mean predicted proportion of viable embryos within a clutch.…”

Early Transition to Microdiets Improves Growth, Reproductive Performance and Reduces Skeletal Anomalies in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…[1][2][3][4] However, procedures concerning zebrafish husbandry, such as feeding protocols and nutritional composition of diets utilized, vary markedly among fish facilities. 1,[6][7][8][9][10] This lack of standardization in husbandry procedures leads to a high degree of variability in fish growth performance and reproductive success, and until today the modulation of zebrafish dietary requirements is still poorly addressed. 10,11 The broodstock diet is highly relevant in teleosts, not only to its health state but also to the quality of its gametes and progeny.…”

“…1,[6][7][8][9][10] This lack of standardization in husbandry procedures leads to a high degree of variability in fish growth performance and reproductive success, and until today the modulation of zebrafish dietary requirements is still poorly addressed. 10,11 The broodstock diet is highly relevant in teleosts, not only to its health state but also to the quality of its gametes and progeny. [12][13][14] The maintenance of body homeostasis is affected by the interaction between nutrition, metabolism, gene expression, and epigenetic changes that modulate intracellular signaling pathways.…”

“…9 The continuous supply of live feeds is often common in zebrafish feeding during the juvenile and adult stages, namely concerning Artemia nauplii. This strategy contributes as an environmental enrichment factor, stimulating the natural predatory behavior of fish 10,24,25 and lowering stress related to captivity, thus improving fish welfare. 26 These different feeding protocols implemented in fish facilities resulted in different nutritional compositions that may affect development.…”

An Easy Method for Cryopreservation of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Sperm

“…However, we also observed variation among the pools, this disparity is normal in the available protocols and experiments as well. [10][11][12] The differences of diet composition may influence physiological processes such as survival, growth, and reproductive performance, 13 endocrine function, 14 differences of the sperm and egg quality, and even the definition of successful fertilization 5 can influence the disparity of results. In conclusion, this study showed a simple protocol to cryopreserve zebrafish sperm, with a good efficiency and reproducibility that can be done in any zebrafish holding facility without special equipment or devices.…”