Optimising calcium in aquaculture diets

The dietary balance of fish populations in fish farms is of paramount importance since it seriously affects overall productivity and health. In fish, as in many other species, calcium needs vary at different stages of development, growth and reproduction.

Calcium plays important roles in several biochemical pathways critical to the health and growth performance of fish.

Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) helps determine calcium balance. A project conducted by the Centre of Marine Sciences Portugal studied the role of calcium in fish metabolism and the different sources of calcium for aquaculture.

The project developed a recombinant version of sea bream PTHrP. Obtaining adequate amounts of recombinant PTHrP allowed a variety of studies and bioassays to be carried out in other parts of the project and also in research laboratories outside the consortium.

More about this technology is available here.

Tags: calcium, feed, portugal
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