Effects of vitamin C supplementation on productive performance and tissue regeneration of the zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the growth performance and fin regeneration rates of juvenile zebrafish fed diets containing increasing levels of vitamin C. A basal semi-purified diet will be formulated to test six levels of ascorbic acid supplementation (0, 75, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 mg kg-1). A total of 900 juvenile zebrafish (28 days post hatch) will be randomly distributed in 30 15 L aquariums, constituting an experimental design with six treatments and five replications. After a 60-day feeding trial, the growth performance will be evaluated. The fish will be captured and anesthetized for assessing weight gain, medium length, feed intake, feed conversion, specific growth rate and survival rate. To analyze the regeneration rates of the caudal fin 12 animals of each treatment will be anesthetized and with the aid of a scalpel will have part of their fins amputated. To determine the regenerated portion on days 7, 14 and 21 after amputation, four animals of each treatment will be sacrificed and then subjected to image analysis system Leica Qwin v.3.0. (AU)