Effects of canola meal on physiological and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout (initial body weight 4.16 +/- 0.25 g) were fed diets [crude protein 420 g kg(-1); gross energy 18.7 MJ kg(-1) dry matter (DM); crude fat 110 g kg(-1)] containing graded levels of either a canola meal (crude protein 350 g kg(-1) DM) supplemented with DL-methionine as partial fish meal protein. A growth trial was conducted over 16 weeks at a water temperature of 12 +/- 1 degrees C. At the end of the growth trial, in addition to body composition analyses, plasma tri-iodothyronine (T-3) and thyroxine (T-4), cholesterol and liver fatty acid composition were measured. Replacement of fish meal with canola meal (100-570 g kg(-1) replacement) did not affect on growth performance. At 16th week, plasma cholesterol levels were reduced in fish fed all diets in comparison with 8th week. Plasma T-4 levels were significantly higher in the canola meal-fed fish sampled after 16 weeks, but no significant differences in T-3 levels were obtained (P > 0.05). Proximate compositions were affected by dietary treatments. The liver fatty acid composition reflected that of the diet with a higher level of polyunsaturated (n-6) fatty acids in fish fed diet canola meal and a higher content in n-3/n-6 ratio in fish fed diet without canola meal. These studies show that canola meal has potential to replace substantial levels of fish meal in diets for carnivorous fish without compromising performance.