Blood samples from healthy adult Atlantic salmon fed an optimal diet in net sea pens were collected at intervals from October to May. Haematological determinations and biochemical serum analyses were carried out on 20 fish in each of seven samples. The ranges of haematological values for sample means were: haematocrit 4449%, haemoglobin 8.9-10-4 g 100 ml-', red blood cell count 0.85-1.10 x lo'* I-', MCV 44-553 x 10-151, MCH 94-106 x g, MCHC 19.4-21.7g IOOml-' and leucocrit 0.43-0.96%. The ranges of enzyme activities in serum, for sample means, were: alkaline phosphatase 647-988 U 1-', aspartate aminotransferase 202-351 U I -' and alanine aminotransferase 4-8 U I -I . The ranges of the other parameters analyzed in serum were: total protein 41,656.6g I-', albumin 18.3-24.3 g I-', albumin/total protein ratio 39.34.0%, creatinine 26-46 pmol, triglycerides 2334.98 mmol and cholesterol 9.3-12-8 mmol. These values are considered to be the normal ranges in healthy fish. Variations due to seasonal changes, and the clinical significance of the selected parameters, are discussed. Data showing the reproducibility of the biochemical analyses in serum are presented.

The present work was designed to study whether changes in dietary protein quality by means of partial inclusion of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) would alter fish growth, feed utilization, protein retention and metabolism and fish health in general. FPH was produced after hydrolysing whole minced herring using the industrial enzyme Alcalase®. The dietary protein source, low‐temperature‐dried (LT) fishmeal nitrogen was exchanged with FPH nitrogen at six levels of inclusion ranging from 0 to 300 g kg−1. The experimental diets were fed to post‐smolt (1+) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with mean initial weight of 174 g for a period of 68 days. All diets were iso‐nitrogenous, iso‐energetic and contained the same amount of amino acids. Fish fed medium inclusion of FPH (180–240 g kg−1) showed a tendency to have higher feed intake than fish fed lower and higher levels of FPH inclusions. Significant higher individual specific growth rates were present in fish fed diets with 180 and 240 g kg−1 FPH when compared with those fed 300 g kg−1. Feed conversion ratio increased significantly (R2 = 0.61) and protein efficiency ratio decreased significantly (R2 = 0.59) in fish fed increased levels of FPH. Further, apparent digestibility of crude protein and the amino acids arginine, lysine, methionine and phenylalanine increased significantly with increased dietary inclusion of FPH. Plasma free amino acids, ammonium and urea indicated that FPH amino acids was absorbed earlier and nonsynchronously, and may thus be more prone to be catabolized than in those fish fed the less solubilized protein. FPH inclusion did not have an impact on fish health, as evaluated by haematology and clinical parameters.

Five groups of Altantic salmon, Salmo salar L., (80 g postsmolt) were fed moist diets containing increasing levels of starch from 0% to 31% and concomitant decreasing levels of protein. The results showed that feeding a diet containing 22% lipid with no starch or a starch inclusion higher than 22% exerts negative effects on growth and feed utilization. A starch inclusion above 9% resulted in decreased starch digestibility, while protein digestibility was not influenced by the dietary starch content. Undigested starch is suggested to affect lipid digestibility in the same manner as dietary fibre. The reduced digestibility by high levels of dietary starch led to increased loss of particulate matter to the environment. Taking into account feed utilization and environmental aspects, the present experiment suggests that a diet containing approximately 9% starch is optimal.

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After feeding Atlantic salmon, Salrno salar L., five graded amounts of wheat starch from 0 to 310 g kg-', low but increased levels of glycogen in kidney, heart and gills were determined. No variations were found in proximate or glycogen compositions of muscle, whereas the liver composition reflected the diet composition. Whole-body homogenates varied in dry matter and lipid levels; the variation was according to g lipid eaten per fish. Plasma glucose levels ranged above average levels only when the starch level in the feed was higher than 220 g kg-I. Although feed intake and thereby lipid intake increased as dietary carbohydrate increased in the present experiment, no differences in plasma concentrations of cholesterol and only small changes in triglycerides were determined. The increase in dietary carbohydrate was balanced with protein, and total plasma protein concentrations followed the decrease in feed protein content. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin all showed significantly reduced levels as dietary starch increased, indicating a fibre effect from 'left-over' starch in the intestine followed by reduced absorption of divalent ions, such as iron.