The influence of dietary fat levels and environmental temperature on digestible energy and absorbability of animal fat in catfish diets.
A study was conducted on the effects of three dietary levels of animal fat (5%, 10%, and 15%) and two environmental temperatures (23 and 28 degrees) on the digestible energy (DE) and apparent absorbability (AA) of animal fat in diets of 150 g catfish. Results obtained by the use of the chromic oxide indicator technique demonstrated that at 28 degrees and substitution levels up to 10% of diet, animal fat had a DE value of 7,000 kcal/kg and an AA of 94%. At the 15% level of substitution, both DE and AA were substantially reduced. At each level of substitution, DE and AA values were considerably lower in fish reared at 23 degrees. At supplemental levels up to 10% of diet, the DE and AA values for catfish at 23 degrees were 6,130 kcal/kg and 70%, respectively. Results from this study reconfirmed previous growth data which indicated that animal fat is an excellent dietary energy source for catfish which are reared at optimum temperatures.
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004063:Digestion; D004777:Environment; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D004041:Dietary Fats