Effects of the supplementation of vitamin D3 on the growth and vitamin D metabolites in juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of vitamin D3 on the growth, vitamin D metabolites, and osteocalcin secretion in juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). A 90-day growth trial was conducted with juvenile Siberian sturgeon (initial body weight 3.47 ± 0.14 g) fed seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic practical diets (45% CP and 13% lipid) containing 60 (basal diet), 240, 450, 880, 1670, 3300, or 1.0 × 10(5) IU/kg feed (D60~D 1.0 × 10(5)) vitamin D3. The results showed that weight gain and specific growth rate increased as the dietary vitamin D3 levels increased from 450 to 3300 IU/kg (P < 0.05). The fish fed with D1670 and D3300 diets had higher crude lipid and ash levels than the fish fed the D60 diet (P < 0.05). The fish fed D880, D1670, or D3300 diets had higher 25-OH-D3 and 1,25-(OH)2-D3 levels than the fish fed the D60 diet (P < 0.05). The fish fed D880, D1670, D3300, or D1.0 × 10(5) diets had higher osteocalcin levels than the fish fed the D60 diet (P < 0.05). Based on the broken line method analysis of weight gain and osteocalcin, the dietary vitamin D3 requirement of juvenile Siberian sturgeon was estimated to be 1683.30 and 1403.27 IU/kg per diet, respectively.