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

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 p p 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 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 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.

Keywords

• <i>Cyprinus carpio haematopterus</i>
• aquaculture
• quality evaluation
• gene
• protein