The influence of cholesterol on the growth and chemical composition of sea cucumber juveniles in controlled conditions

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of feed formulations containing cholesterol on the ad- aptation of young trepang to adjustable tempera- ture conditions during breeding in controlled tem- perature conditions. The composition of the feed included dried kelp, fish meal, soybean meal, ground shells of bivalves and freeze-dried entrails of sea cucumber. As biologically active component, cholesterol in the amount of 20 g and 40 g per 1 kg of feed weight was added to feed formulations. Basic formula of the feed without cholesterol was used as the control. The duration of experimental cultivation was from June to September and lasted 101 days. Daily assessment of temperature and salinity of water was carried out. The efficiency of feed was judged from trepang’s weight gain. During the experiment, the mass of trepang juveniles re- ceiving experimental feed with different dosages of cholesterol increased 4.4-5.3 times. Trepang’s sur- vival rate in all experimental groups practically did not differ and was 76...