Protein turnover in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) traced with 15N stable isotope marked diets.
Foods of Norway, a center for research-based innovation (SFI), has a special focus on improved breeding strategies to increase the feed efficiency and robustness of fish and farm animals. The aim is to support genetic adaptation and identify new selection criteria for both fish and farm animals. One major goal is to increase knowledge about protein metabolism and protein turnover in muscle in Atlantic salmon, and thus improve the scientific basis for growth performance related to protein turnover.
The aim of this experiment is to examine protein metabolism and protein turnover in muscle in Atlantic salmon, and thus improve the scientific basis for growth performance related to protein utilization. There is a large variance in growth performance and protein utilization between individual fish, but there is little knowledge whether these differences is related to variation in feed intake, digestive capacity, absorption efficiency, utilization and/or metabolism of different nutrients. During this trial, we will therefore trace nutrient flow and retention in individual Atlantic salmon, by using a diet with 15N-labelled nitrogenous components. There will be five dietary groups with different ratios of 15N/14N (incl. a standard control diet with fishmeal/fish oil, but without added ingredients containing 15N). All diets will be formulated according to the requirements of salmon in fresh water stage. A total of 510 pit-tagged fish (25 g start weight) will be divided on 15 tanks. During the growth trial (~3 months), several terminal samplings will be conducted to register individual growth and to sample different organs to measure nitrogen/protein turnover. Dissection and sampling of organs will only be done after the fish have been euthanized, followed by a blow to the head. The data from this experiment will provide vital knowledge that can be used in future optimization of dietary composition of salmon diets and future breeding programs for Atlantic salmon.
The aim of this experiment is to examine protein metabolism and protein turnover in muscle in Atlantic salmon, and thus improve the scientific basis for growth performance related to protein utilization. There is a large variance in growth performance and protein utilization between individual fish, but there is little knowledge whether these differences is related to variation in feed intake, digestive capacity, absorption efficiency, utilization and/or metabolism of different nutrients. During this trial, we will therefore trace nutrient flow and retention in individual Atlantic salmon, by using a diet with 15N-labelled nitrogenous components. There will be five dietary groups with different ratios of 15N/14N (incl. a standard control diet with fishmeal/fish oil, but without added ingredients containing 15N). All diets will be formulated according to the requirements of salmon in fresh water stage. A total of 510 pit-tagged fish (25 g start weight) will be divided on 15 tanks. During the growth trial (~3 months), several terminal samplings will be conducted to register individual growth and to sample different organs to measure nitrogen/protein turnover. Dissection and sampling of organs will only be done after the fish have been euthanized, followed by a blow to the head. The data from this experiment will provide vital knowledge that can be used in future optimization of dietary composition of salmon diets and future breeding programs for Atlantic salmon.