Effects of dietary phosphorus deficiency on the growth performance, hepatic lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of Yellow River Carp Cyprinus carpio haematopterus

ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) deficiency in diets on growth performance, hepatic lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity in Yellow River Carp Cyprinus carpio haematopterus. MethodsIn this study, 72 healthy experimental fish (initial weight = 12.0 +/- 0.1 g [mean +/- SE]) were randomly selected and distributed to two groups, with three replicates in each group. The groups were fed either a P-sufficient diet or a P-deficient diet for 8 weeks. ResultThe P-deficient feed significantly decreased the specific growth rate, feed efficiency, and condition factor of Yellow River Carp. Fish that were fed the P-deficient feed demonstrated higher contents of triglyceride, total cholesterol (T-CHO), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the plasma and a higher T-CHO content in the liver compared to the P-sufficient diet group. In addition, the P-deficient diet significantly reduced the catalase activity level, decreased the glutathione content, and increased the malondialdehyde content in the liver and in the plasma. Furthermore, P deficiency in the diet significantly downregulated the messenger RNA expression of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, whereas it upregulated the messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and fatty acid synthase in the liver. ConclusionDietary P deficiency reduced fish growth performance, induced fat deposition and oxidative stress, and impaired liver health.