Effect of Dietary Administration of Betaine and Natozim Multi-Enzyme on Growth, Indices and Growth Hormone Gene (GH) in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Inroduction & Objective:

Enzymes and food attractants are the ingredients used to improve the nutritional status of fish in recent years. In this experiment the effect of dietary administration of betaine and Natozim multi-enzyme on growth indices (Weight gain, SGR and FCR) and growth hormone gene expression (GH) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were investigated.

For this purpose 180 fish with average weight of 19.5±0.5 gr, were fed diets supplemented with 3 different levels of 0, 1 and 1.5% in combination with 0, 250 and 500 mg/l for 8 weeks. At the end of feeding trial, growth indices were assessed. RNA extracted from brain, cDNA synthesized using Suprime script RTase kit and Real-time PCR were done using GH primers.

Results showed no significant difference growth indices and GH expression gene in fish fed betaine (P>0.05). However, with increasing  the amount of Natozim multi-enzyme from 250 to 500 mg in the non-betaine condition, there was a significant increase (P <0.05) in the weight gain, specific growth factor and growth gene expression, as well as the Food Conversion Rate. The best growth performance indices and growth gene expression were in combination treatments (500 mg of natozym and 1 and 1.5% betaine) (P <0.05).

Regarding the results, it seems that the use of Natozim and betaine can help to improve growth by eliminating the effects of anti-nutrients and attracting fish to foods.