Abstract
In the present study, our aim was to assess the effect of dietary black soldier fly oil (BSFO) with different lipid contents on the growth performance, body composition, lipid metabolism, and related gene expression in juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis). An 8-week feeding trial was conducted using four isonitrogenous diets (32.0% crude protein) containing two lipid levels: 6% (control (CT) group) and 9% (high lipid (HL) group), both using soybean oil as the oil source. The other two diets contained BSFO on the basis of 6% and 9% lipid, referred to as (CT + BSFO) and (HL + BSFO) groups. The results showed that final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, protein retention ratio, and feed utilization were significantly increased by using higher dietary lipid levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, the gene expression of lipid synthesis markers was significantly up-regulated in intra-peritoneal fat but significantly down-regulated in the hepatopancreas due to increased dietary lipid level (P < 0.05). No negative effects on feed utilization or growth performance were observed in fish fed diets containing BSFO. However, the intra-peritoneal fat index, adipocyte size, and hepatopancreas lipid content were significantly decreased in the CT + BSFO group compared to the CT group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BSFO also up-regulated the expression of lipid lipolysis markers in the hepatopancreas and intra-peritoneal fat (P < 0.05). Moreover, the use of BSFO also increased the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) while reducing the content of n-6 PUFA in the muscle (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HL diets improved the growth of the fish and increased the lipid deposition. BSFO in the diet resulted in a reduction of lipid deposition in the hepatopancreas and intra-peritoneal fat, likely due to an increase in lipid oxidation.