EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL DIETARY CHROMIUM AND VANADIUM ON THE UTILIZATION OF DIFFERENT CARBOHYDRATES IN TILAPIA, OREOCHROMIS-NILOTICUSXO-AUREUS

Diets containing 40% glucose or starch with either 2 ppm chromium (Cr), 2 ppm vanadium (V) or without either supplement were fed to tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus, to investigate the effect of Cr and V on carbohydrate utilization. Each diet was fed to three aquaria with 18 fish/aquarium in a recirculating, filtered rearing system for 8 weeks. Results indicated that weight gain, protein and energy deposition were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed the starch diet than in those fed the glucose diet. Chromium supplementation significantly increased the weight gain, energy deposition and liver glycogen content in fish fed the glucose diet. Delayed plasma glucose plateau and significantly higher body lipid content were observed in fish fed the glucose diet with Cr than in those without the Cr supplementation.