Effect of dietary protein, vitamin E, and vitamin C levels on the growth and gonad development of hybrid male abalone (Haliotis fulgens ♂ × H. discus hannai ♀) by the orthogonal array design

A natural feed of fresh seaweed and sixteen diets designed by L16 (43) orthogonal array were formulated to contain different levels protein (200, 250, 300, 350 g/kg), vitamin E (VE) (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 C (VC) 0.5, 1, 1.5 g/kg) evaluate the effects dietary protein, VE, VC, their combination on growth gonadal development hybrid male abalone (Haliotis fulgens ♂ × H. discus hannai ♀). Each diet was randomly assigned triplicate groups 18 abalones (34.27 ± 2.93 g) that stocked in sea cages for 8 weeks. Results showed maximum weight gain (WG) specific rate (SGR) obtained fed D10 diets. The highest gonad somatic index (GSI) value found D14 diet. Moreover, ANOVA results only could significantly affect GSI (P < 0.05). significant difference observed among terms total cholesterol, triglyceride, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression vasa testis lowest. Abalones had higher testosterone sperm than those other In conclusion, 300 g/kg, VE 0.1 VC g/kg (D10) 1 (D14) might be optimal combinations respectively.