Growth performance and growth regulatory pathways were examined in juvenile gilthead sea bream fed diets containing largely plant-based ingredients. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic extruded diets with a low level (20%) of fish meal inclusion were formulated with graded levels of a vegetable oil mixture (17:58:25 of rapeseed: linseed: palm oils) replacing fish oil at 33, 66 and 100% (33VO, 66VO and VO diets). All diets were supplemented with lysine (0.55%) and contained soy lecithin (1%). Daily growth coefficients and feed efficiency over the course of an 11-week trial were almost identical in fish fed the FO, 33VO and 66VO diets. The VO diet reduced feed intake and growth without significant effects in proximate whole body composition, nitrogen or... |