Publication
Title
Exercise improves growth, alters physiological performance and gene expression in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Author
Abstract
It has been suggested that induced swimming has the potential to improve the growth performance of fish. We tested this hypothesis by measuring growth, metabolic efficiency and physiological capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were swum at different exercise regimes: 0.0 (control), 1.5 and 2.5 body lengths per second (BL/s) in 1600 L recirculating raceways for 4 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in weight gain, specific growth rate, improved feed conversion efficiency, and a higher hepatosomatic index for 2.5 BL/s exercised fish compared to control. Glycogen, protein and lipid energy stores in hepatic and muscular tissue showed limited differences among experimental groups. Likewise, plasma [Na+], [K+] and [Cl−] remained stable at all swimming regimes. Expression of genes controlling energy metabolism and growth (IGF-I axis, cytochrome oxidase) and stress response (cortisol receptor, heat shock protein 70) revealed clear regulatory roles as the mRNA transcript levels of IGF-I and growth hormone receptors in hepatic tissue were up-regulated in fish exercised for 34 weeks at 2.5 BL/s. Oxygen consumption rate and swimming performance (Ucrit) for each experimental group were evaluated in parallel in Blazka-type swim-tunnels (3.9 L) and showed no training effect while prolonged swimming at 1.5 and 2.5 BL/s facilitated ammonia excretion and prevented build-up of plasma ammonia. Overall, these data suggest that sustained exercise at 2.5 BL/s enhanced growth and physiological fitness without compromising energy metabolism or ion-regulation. Our study provides a prospective of implementing exercise as a tool to increase fish production efficiency in commercial aquaculture systems.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Comparative biochemistry and physiology : A : molecular & integrative physiology. - London
Publication
London : 2018
ISSN
1095-6433
DOI
10.1016/J.CBPA.2018.08.007
Volume/pages
226 :A (2018) , p. 38-48
ISI
000447114200006
Pubmed ID
30138690
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Mechanisms of ammonia transport in marine fish with a different nitrogen metabolism.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.10.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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