ABSTRACTS

A ten weeks feeding trial was carried out in order to examine the effect of including different types of lipids in the diets fed to African catfish fingerlings (Clarias gariepinus) on their growth performance and serum biochemistry. A total of one hundred (100) African catfish fingerlings with weight range of 129-130g per one 50litres circular plastic bowl containing ten (10) fingerlings were randomly allotted to five (5) experimental diets (CP: 40%) on 3% inclusion levels of different types of lipids of which each treatment (Treatment 1: vegetable oil; treatment 2: palm kernel oil; treatment 3: palm oil; treatment 4: groundnut oil and treatment 5: fish oil) replicated twice. Other water quality parameters were maintained throughout the duration of the study.

Growth parameters such as Mean weight, Mean weight gain (MWG), percentage mean weight gain (%MWG), mean weight gain/day (MWG/day), specific growth rate (SGR), initial mean weight (IMW), final mean weight (FMW); and nutrient utilization such as feed conversion ratio (FCR), total feed intake (TFI), average feed intake (AFI), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein intake (PI) were determined. The results for the growth performance showed that there were significant differences among the parameters (p<0.05). The highest MWG, %MWG, SGR and FMW (54.36g, 418.15%, 2.35%, 67.37g respectively) were obtained in treatment 5 (fish oil), while the least values were obtained in treatment 3 (palm oil). The highest values for AFI, PI and FCR were obtained in treatment 1 (10.48, 419.17 and 1.15 respectively) while the least values were obtained in treatment 3 (palm oil) with values 7.75, 310.21 and 1.02 respectively. The highest value for PER was obtaind in treatment 3 (palm oil) and least value was observed in treatment1. And the highest value (13.06) for IMW was obtained in treatment 4 (groundnut oil) and the least value (12.95) is in treatment 3.

The blood was collected from the caudal circulation of the fish after weeks and the serum indices such as Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Creatine (CRT), Total Protein (TP), Albumin (ALB), Cholesterol (CHOL), Glucoses  (GLUC) and Globulin (GLOB). Blood samples were collected from fish in replicates and analysed for serum parameters. Result of the serum biochemistry showed that there were significant differences among the parameters (p<0.05). From the serum indices results, it was observed that the treatments had no effects on Albumin, Globulin, Total protein and Creatine. The least values for CHOL, AST, ALT and GLUC (54.53, 101.04, 25.33, and 96.43Mmol/l) were obtained in treatment 5 (fish oil); the highest values for: AST (138.21) was obtained in treatment 3 (palm oil), ALT (35.71) and GLUC (132.14Mmol/l) were obtained in treatment 2 (PKO) and ALP (13.53) was obtained in treatment 1 (vegetable oil).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

Declaration

Certification

Abstracts

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of content

List of table

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

Objectives of the study

General objectives

Specific objectives

Justification

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review

2.1 Clarias gariepinus

2.1.1 Biology of Clarias gariepinus

2.1.2 Natural distribution and habitat of Clarias gariepinus

2.1.3 Diet and mode of feeding

2.1.4 Growth

2.1.5 Reproduction

2.1.6 History of domestication, introduction and spread

2.2.0 Water quality (Physiochemical parameters)

2.2.1 Dissolved oxygen

2.2.2 Hydrogen ion concentration (pH)

2.2.3 Temperature

2.2.4 Carbon (iv) oxide (CO2)

2.3.0 Lipids

2.3.1 Biological functions of lipids

2.4.0 Types of lipids

2.4.1 Groundnut oil

2.4.2 Fish oil

2.4.3 Palm oil

2.4.4 Vegetable oil

2.4.5 Palm kernel oil

2.5.0 Serum Biochemistry

2.5.1 Alkaline phosphatase

2.5.2 Total protein (Serum protein)

2.5.3 Cholesterol

2.5.4 Albumin

2.5.5 Creatine

2.5.6 Globulin

2.5.7 Alanine aminotransferase (ALP) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods

3.1 Site of experiments

3.2 Experimental procedures

3.3 Test ingredients

3.4 Preparation of experiment diets

3.5 Holding facilities

3.6 Chemical analysis

3.7 Statistical analysis

3.8 Serum indices/analysis

3.9 Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization

3.9.1 Mean weight gain (MWG)

3.9.2

3.9.3 Percentage weight gain (PWG)

3.9.4 Mean weight gain per day (MW/day)

3.9.5 Specific growth rate (SGR)

3.9.6 Total feed intake (TFI)

3.9.7 Average feed intake (AVI)

3.9.8 Feed conversion ratio (FCR)

3.9.9 Protein intake (PI)

3.9.10 Gross feed conversion efficiency (GFCE)

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and Discussion

4.1 Results

4.2 Discussion

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion

5.2 Recommendation

REFERENCES