Special demand of protein in feed for Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles during the metamorphosis stage

doi:10.16178/j.issn.0528-9017.20250526

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate whether Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles have special demand for protein in feed during the metamorphosis stage, this study evaluated the effects of starvation and five feed with different protein levels (18%-42%) on the growth, metamorphosis rate, protein content of carcass, and gene expression of hepatic thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) of tadpoles approaching the metamorphosis stage (stage G33). The results showed that tadpoles gradually entered the concentrated metamorphosis stage (stages G41-42) from day 17 to day 26. All indicators in the starvation group were the lowest. Feed with higher protein levels (36% and 42%) promoted the growth of tadpoles, increased the protein content of carcass, and enhanced the gene expression of hepatic TRβ, but delayed metamorphosis. However, feed with low protein level (18%) containing high corn meal content and no fish meal not only accelerated growth but also promoted metamorphosis. Therefore, it is suggested that Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles approaching the metamorphosis stage may require a higher carbohydrate supply to meet the energy demand for their metamorphic development, with a corresponding reduction in protein demand.

Key words: Quasipaa spinosa, tadpole, protein in feed, thyroid hormone receptor β, metamorphosis

CLC Number:

S963

HU Jiating, LIU Yuxia, ZHANG Yu, XIE Zhigang, ZHENG Rongquan. Special demand of protein in feed for Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles during the metamorphosis stage[J]. Journal of Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences, 2025, 66(10): 2462-2467.

Figures/Tables 5

Table 1 Experimental feed composition and nutritional levels (air-dried basis)

原料	不同蛋白质水平饲料的组成
原料	18%	24%	30%	36%	42%
鱼粉/g	0	10	21	31	42
豆粕/g	20	20	20	20	20
玉米粉/g	52	42	31	21	10
小麦粉/g	10	10	10	10	10
麸皮/g	15	15	15	15	15
酵母粉/g	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8
海藻粉/g	1	1	1	1	1
预混料/g	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
粗蛋白/%	18.30	23.89	30.04	35.62	41.76
粗脂肪/%	3.54	4.99	4.69	5.23	5.85
总能/(kJ·g^-1)	16.71	17.01	17.34	17.39	17.97

Table 2 Primers used in real-time quantitative PCR

基因	引物序列(5'-3')	长度/bp
TRβ	F: AACAAGGAACCAGTGCCAAGA	80
	R: GCTGTCGTCCAAAACCAAATCA
β-actin	F: GAGCAGGACTGGGTGTTCTTCA	95
	R: GCATTGTAACCAACTGGGACGA

Fig.1 Growth performance and cumulative metamorphosis rate of Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles under conditions of starvation and feeding with different protein levels during metamorphosis

Fig.2 Effects of starvation and feeding with different protein levels on protein content of carcass of Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles during metamorphosis

Fig.3 Effects of starvation and feeding with different protein levels on gene expression of hepatic TRβ of Quasipaa spinosa tadpoles during metamorphosis

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