Could dietary black soldier fly meal inclusion affect the liver and intestinal histological traits and the oxidative stress biomarkers of siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) juveniles?

• Published in: Animals
• Main Authors: Caimi C., Gasco L., Biasato I., Malfatto V., Varello K., Prearo M., Pastorino P., Bona M. C., Francese D. R., Schiavone A., Elia A. C., Dorr A. J. M., Gai F.
• Other Authors: Caimi, C., Gasco, L., Biasato, I., Malfatto, V., Varello, K., Prearo, M., Pastorino, P., Bona, M. C., Francese, D. R., Schiavone, A., Elia, A. C., Dorr, A. J. M., Gai, F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Gut histochemistry; Hermetia illucen; Insect meal; Liver histology; Oxidative stress biomarker; Siberian sturgeon; Acipenser baerii
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11391/1460401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010155; https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/1/155/pdf

The trial investigates if a highly defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal (H) at two dietary inclusion levels and a vegetable protein based diet (VEG) influences the normal gut and liver histology and the oxidative stress biomarkers in liver and kidney of Siberian sturgeon juveniles. Fish were fed four diets: One control diet (H0) containing 70% of fishmeal (FM), two diets including 18.5% (H185) and 37.5% (H375) of highly defatted H in substitution for 25% and 50% of FM, and one vegetable protein based diet (VEG). At the end of a growth trial, 12 fish per treatment were sacrificed by over-anaesthesia to collect 12 liver and 5 distal intestine samples for histological analyses, as well as 12 liver and kidney samples for biochemical analyses. The H and VEG diets did not significantly affect the histology of liver and distal intestine, but alterations of the oxidative stress biomarkers were detected at the highest inclusion level of H (37.5%). In order to avoid unfavorable effects on the fish health, an inclusion level up to 18.5% of H is recommended for Siberian sturgeon juveniles.