Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology

Vitamin D3 is the typical vitamin D supplement in aquafeeds, but this form requires further metabolization to the active form. Calcifediol is used in livestock as an alternative, however it isn’t common in aquaculture. This trial shows the effects of calcifediol in gilthead seabream. 600 seabream (1...

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Main Authors: David Dominguez, Pedro Castro, Manon Marmonier, Daniel Arana, Paula Arriagada, Daniel Montero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Aquaculture Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425003928
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author David Dominguez
Pedro Castro
Manon Marmonier
Daniel Arana
Paula Arriagada
Daniel Montero
author_facet David Dominguez
Pedro Castro
Manon Marmonier
Daniel Arana
Paula Arriagada
Daniel Montero
author_sort David Dominguez
collection DOAJ
description Vitamin D3 is the typical vitamin D supplement in aquafeeds, but this form requires further metabolization to the active form. Calcifediol is used in livestock as an alternative, however it isn’t common in aquaculture. This trial shows the effects of calcifediol in gilthead seabream. 600 seabream (12.8 ± 1.5 g) were fed 5 levels of calcifediol (<2.0, 99.7, 167.4, 298.6 or 825.4 ppb) for 15 weeks. 99.7 ppb of calcifediol improved growth, while 99.7–167.4 ppb reduced the FCR. 99.7 ppb of calcifediol increased the deposition of DHA and omega 3. The level of calcium in the vertebrae increased quadratically up to 99.7 and 167.4 ppb. No effect of the diet was observed on the prevalence of skeletal abnormalities. Mid-intestine fold length increased with 99.7 and 167.4 ppb of calcifediol compared to 825.4 ppb, while mid-intestine lamina propria width was thinner in fish fed 99.7 ppb than those without supplementation. 167.4 ppb calcifediol increased 50 % the percentage of goblet cells per surface area in the anterior intestine compared to those without supplementation. The results indicate that 99.7 ppb improved growth, FCR, whole-body omega3/omega6 ratio and calcium level in the vertebrae, while the highest levels of supplementation reduced growth, vertebrae calcium and mid-intestine fold length, suggesting a toxic effect of high levels of calcifediol in gilthead seabream juveniles.
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spelling doaj-art-5abc9cf4f0054ed39bb7d2cfe6a8406e2025-08-20T02:57:04ZengElsevierAquaculture Reports2352-51342025-09-014310300610.1016/j.aqrep.2025.103006Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histologyDavid Dominguez0Pedro Castro1Manon Marmonier2Daniel Arana3Paula Arriagada4Daniel Montero5Aquaculture Research Group (GIA), University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carretera a Taliarte s/n, Telde, Gran Canaria 35200, Spain; Corresponding author.Aquaculture Research Group (GIA), University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carretera a Taliarte s/n, Telde, Gran Canaria 35200, SpainAquaculture Research Group (GIA), University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carretera a Taliarte s/n, Telde, Gran Canaria 35200, SpainHuvepharma NV, Uibreindingstraat, 80, Antwerp 2600, BelgiumHuvepharma NV, Uibreindingstraat, 80, Antwerp 2600, BelgiumAquaculture Research Group (GIA), University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carretera a Taliarte s/n, Telde, Gran Canaria 35200, SpainVitamin D3 is the typical vitamin D supplement in aquafeeds, but this form requires further metabolization to the active form. Calcifediol is used in livestock as an alternative, however it isn’t common in aquaculture. This trial shows the effects of calcifediol in gilthead seabream. 600 seabream (12.8 ± 1.5 g) were fed 5 levels of calcifediol (<2.0, 99.7, 167.4, 298.6 or 825.4 ppb) for 15 weeks. 99.7 ppb of calcifediol improved growth, while 99.7–167.4 ppb reduced the FCR. 99.7 ppb of calcifediol increased the deposition of DHA and omega 3. The level of calcium in the vertebrae increased quadratically up to 99.7 and 167.4 ppb. No effect of the diet was observed on the prevalence of skeletal abnormalities. Mid-intestine fold length increased with 99.7 and 167.4 ppb of calcifediol compared to 825.4 ppb, while mid-intestine lamina propria width was thinner in fish fed 99.7 ppb than those without supplementation. 167.4 ppb calcifediol increased 50 % the percentage of goblet cells per surface area in the anterior intestine compared to those without supplementation. The results indicate that 99.7 ppb improved growth, FCR, whole-body omega3/omega6 ratio and calcium level in the vertebrae, while the highest levels of supplementation reduced growth, vertebrae calcium and mid-intestine fold length, suggesting a toxic effect of high levels of calcifediol in gilthead seabream juveniles.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425003928Vitamin DCalcifediolVitamin sourcesOptimum levels
spellingShingle David Dominguez
Pedro Castro
Manon Marmonier
Daniel Arana
Paula Arriagada
Daniel Montero
Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology
Aquaculture Reports
Vitamin D
Calcifediol
Vitamin sources
Optimum levels
title Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology
title_full Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology
title_fullStr Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology
title_full_unstemmed Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology
title_short Use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects on growth performance, biochemical composition, skeletal anomalies and histology
title_sort use of calcifediol in gilthead seabream sparus aurata effects on growth performance biochemical composition skeletal anomalies and histology
topic Vitamin D
Calcifediol
Vitamin sources
Optimum levels
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425003928
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