Growth and hematology of juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1887) fed with increasing levels of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate)

Author(s)

Sado, Ricardo Y. ^[1] ; Bicudo, Alvaro J. A. ^[2] ; Cyrino, Jose E. P. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Tecnol Fed Parana, BR-85660000 Dois Vizinhos, PR - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rural Pernambuco, Unidade Acad Garanhuns, BR-55296901 Garanhuns, PE - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 85, n. 1, p. 385-393, MAR 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Intensive fish production systems are characterized by 100% artificial feeding, so any dietary imbalances or deficiencies may lead to diseases outbreaks and economic losses. This study was set out to determine the effects of increasing levels of dietary vitamin E on growth and hematology of juvenile pacu. Fishes were fed for 90 days, twice a day until apparent satiation with semi-purified diets containing 0.0; 25; 50; 150; 300 or 600 mg.kg(-1) diet DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in a completely randomized design trial (n=4); biometrical and hematological data were collected and analyzed. Fishes fed with vit E diet (150 mg.kg(-1)) showed higher (p<0.05) weight gain and specific growth. Hematocrit, erythroblast number and total plasma protein were increased (p<0.05) in fishes fed diet with no vit E diet. Vitamin E supplementation in artificial diets for pacu is essential for growth and maintenance of normal erythropoiesis. (AU)