| Popis: |
Bilateral eyestalk ablation results in an accelerated growth rate in lobsters (Homarus americanus). Feeding trials were used to determine whether this accelerated growth rate resulted in a greater response of ablated lobsters to differences in nutritional values of diets. The value of using eyestalk ablated lobsters in nutrition studies was evaluated by comparing their molt, mortality and weight gain responses to dietary proteins (casein, soy bean protein and cod fish protein concentrate (FPC) and lipids (cod liver oil (CLO), corn oil (CO) and a 1:1 mixture of CLO and CO), with similar responses of control lobsters. Groups of ablated and control lobsters were fed frozen brine shrimp (FBS) for comparative purposes. The ablated lobsters showed a more rapid response to dietary differences than did the control lobsters. Casein proved to be the best dietary protein, followed by soybean, with FPC being the poorest. While CLO has been shown to be better than CO as a dietary lipid source, it appears that a 1:1 mixture of the two oils is better than either one alone. The growth, molt rate and survival of ablated lobsters fed FBS was significantly better than for those fed any of the artificial diets used in this study. |
