Growth, survival, lipid composition and pigmentation of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) larvae fed live-prey enriched in Arachidonic and Eicosapentaenoic acids

Turbot larvae were fed live-prey enriched with different levels of arachidonic (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids to study the effects of these fatty acids on body composition and pigmentation success. Significantly reduced pigmentation was obtained in those fish fed medium and high ARA diets for 43 days. Growth and survival were the same for all groups. The incorporation of ARA and EPA in fish eyes, brains, livers and carcasses reflected the percentage of these fatty acids in the diets. ARA accumulation was similar in all tissues, but brain accumulated EPA was less efficient than the other tissues examined. A highly significant, negative correlation was found between the %ARA in turbot juvenile brain total lipids and pigmentation success. A weaker, positive correlation was found between brain EPA and pigmentation. Increasing dietary ARA affected the fatty acid composition of turbot brain phosphoglycerides more than increasing dietary EPA, especially in phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). A negative relationship was found between percentage normal pigmentation and ARA levels in brain phosphatidylcholine (PC), PE and phosphatidylserine (PS). Elevated levels of ARA in PI also resulted in malpigmented juveniles, but EPA:ARA ratios ≥1 in PI were associated with normal pigmentation. We conclude that, given a sufficiency of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the optimum dietary level of EPA is not a function of DHA, but of dietary ARA.     

Importance of dietary arachidonic acid for the growth,survival and stress resistance of larval European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed high dietary docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids

Together with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (ARA) is being considered to be an essential fatty acid in marine fish larval diets. The objective of the present study was to determine the importance of dietary ARA levels for larval European sea bass performance, when EPA and DHA are also present in the diet. Eighteen‐day‐old larvae were fed, for 14 days, gelatine‐based microdiets containing the following ARA levels: 0.3%, 0.6% or 1.2%. Elevation of dietary ARA up to 1.2% showed a positive correlation with larval survival and a significant improvement in the specific growth rates, body weight and total length. Arachidonic acid was efficiently incorporated into larval lipids, even at a higher proportion than that in the diets. Increased accumulation of ARA did not affect the incorporation of DHA or EPA from the diet into larval total lipids. A significant positive correlation was found between dietary ARA levels and survival after handling stress, indicating the importance of this fatty acid in sea bass larvae response to acute stressors. The results show the importance of ARA for sea bass larvae, but higher dietary levels should be tested to determine whether there is a negative effect of ARA in sea bass as reported for other species.     

Effects of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid on growth, survival, pigmentation and fatty acid composition in Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae during the Artemia feeding period

We examined the effect of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) on growth, survival, pigmentation and fatty acid composition of Senegal sole larvae. From 3 to 40 days post‐hatch (dph), larvae were fed live food that had been enriched using one of four experimental emulsions containing graduated concentrations of EPA and constant docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n‐6). Final proportions of EPA in the enriched Artemia nauplii were described as ‘nil’ (EPA‐N, 0.5% total fatty acids, TFA), ‘low’ (EPA‐L, 10.7% TFA), ‘medium’ (EPA‐M, 20.3% TFA) or ‘high’ (EPA‐H, 29.5% TFA). Significant differences among dietary treatments in larval length were observed at 25, 30 and 40 dph, and in dry weight at 30 and 40 dph, although no significant correlation could be found between dietary EPA content and growth. Eye migration at 17 and 25 dph was affected by dietary levels of EPA. Significantly lower survival was observed in fish fed EPA‐H diet. Lower percentage of fish fed EPA‐N (82.7%) and EPA‐L (82.9%) diets were normally pigmented compared with the fish fed EPA‐M (98.1%) and EPA‐H (99.4%) enriched nauplii. Tissue fatty acid concentrations reflected the corresponding dietary composition. ARA and DHA levels in all the tissues examined were inversely related to dietary EPA. This work concluded that Senegal sole larvae have a very low EPA requirement during the live feeding period.     

Effects of dietary fatty acids on the production and quality of eggs and larvae of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Cultivated Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) entering their first year of gamete maturation were fed diets with different levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for 6.5 months prior to commencement of spawning. Gravid females were stripped three times: at the beginning, peak and end of spawning. Lipid composition and egg and larval quality of 34 family crosses were investigated. Results indicated that ARA uptake into eggs from broodstock diet was highly efficient achieving proportions of ARA up to 84% higher in eggs than in the diet. EPA was 42–76% higher, and DHA was 155–173% higher in eggs than in diets. Cod fed the diet with the lowest EPA/ARA ratio had the greatest egg production. Eggs from fish on a diet with high ARA level had significantly higher fertilization and hatching success than those fed low levels of ARA. This diet produced on average 71 viable eggs g^?1 female compared with 32.5 and 4 eggs in diet B and C, respectively. Furthermore, larval survival until 8 days posthatch was higher in diets with lower ARA levels. The combined results showed that ARA dietary supplementation and low EPA/ARA ratio yielded a greater number of viable larvae kg^?1 female.     

Importance of the relative levels of dietary arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid for culture performance of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae

The effect of different arachidonic acid (ARA) dietary contents at several dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels on the growth, survival and biochemical composition of gilthead seabream larvae was studied to better define the importance of this fatty acid as a function of EPA. Larvae of 18 days were fed one of the five isonitrogenous and isolipidic microdiets with three different EPA (0.3%, 2% and 4%) and ARA amounts (0.1%, 0.6% and 1.2%). Although a dietary increase in either ARA or EPA alone did not improve survival significantly, the increase in both fatty acids significantly enhanced growth and survival, suggesting an optimum dietary value of EPA:ARA close to 4:1.2. Dietary ARA was more efficiently incorporated into larval tissues than EPA. Increased dietary EPA or ARA contents reduced the incorporation of ARA or EPA into larval lipids, indicating their competition as substrates for different enzymes. The possible negative effect of further elevation of dietary ARA and its competition with EPA for phospholipids synthesis deserves further studies in marine fish larvae.     

A study of the arachidonic acid requirements of the giant tiger prawn, Penaues monodon

This study examined the dietary requirement of arachidonic acid (ARA) when that of linoleic acid (LOA), the natural precursor to ARA, was also satisfied with linolenic acid (LNA) and also with and without the other key dietary highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA). Growth by prawns fed diets supplemented with ARA was poorer than in diets where it was not present. Supplementation of ARA to diets with either optimized HUFA or just optimised poly unsaurated fatty acids (PUFA) (i.e. LOA, LNA) resulted in poorer growth. Growth was poorest by prawns (215 ± 13%) fed diets with ARA supplemented at 20% of the total fatty acids but including 7% LOA, 21% LNA and 4% of both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Growth was best in prawns fed diets devoid of ARA but with 7% LOA and 21% LNA (350 ± 19%). Prawns fed the reference diet (348 ± 21%) and the other diet devoid of ARA but containing about 7% LOA, 21% LNA and 4% of both EPA and DHA (345 ± 18%) had similar growth. The growth responses were not effects of altered lipid or fatty acid digestibilities. Indeed supplementation of ARA to the diet marginally improved the digestibility of the total neutral lipid in the diet and the digestibilities of some other dietary fatty acids. The amount of lipid in the digestive glands of prawns fed with the diets was reduced by the inclusion of ARA in the dietary lipids. Composition of the lipids in the digestive gland (DG) of the prawns was almost directly related to the composition of their dietary lipids. The proportion of ARA in the total fatty acids increased with level of supplementation of dietary ARA. An increased level of dietary ARA reduced the proportion of EPA, DHA in the DG lipid and also the total n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids in the DG lipid. The results of this study support that addition of ARA to the diet of Penaues monodon when the other key essential fatty acids (EFA) have been optimized, does not improve their growth performance. It is suggested that key cause for this response may lie in the importance of the balance of the n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acids in the diet of these animals.     

Dietary effects of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid levels on egg and larval quality, and the fatty acid composition of the eggs of Chilean flounder Paralichthys adspersus broodstock

The effects of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (n-3 HUFA) on eggs and larval quality were investigated in the Chilean flounder Paralichthys adspersus . Broodstock were fed with three formulated diets with similar proximate compositions but different n-3 HUFA (2.1%, 3.1% or 4.1%) estimated levels from 5 months before and during the spawning period. The diet with an intermediate n-3 HUFA level resulted in a significantly higher ( P <0.05) percentage of buoyant eggs (68.2 ± 2.9%), fertilization (92.8 ± 3.9%), normal cell cleavages (93.5 ± 1.9%), hatching rate (87.7 ± 4.1%) and normal larvae (76.3 ± 3.7%) compared with the other two diets. In contrast, high levels of n-3 HUFA produced larvae with a higher survival capacity when subjected to fasting. The diet with the lowest content of n-3 HUFA produces lower quality eggs and larvae. The n-3 HUFA level in eggs increased with an increase in the dietary level, and the n-3/n-6 ratios were 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1. The DHA/EPA and EPA/ARA ratios of 2 and 4 in eggs, respectively, were associated with improved egg and larval quality and were similar to the ratios found in eggs from wild broodstock. Attainment of optimal fatty acid contents in broodstock diets is one of the key factors for producing the high-quality spawning required for managed culture of this flounder.     

Fatty acid nutritional quality of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) eggs and endotrophic larvae: relevance for feeding of marine larval fish

Sea urchin eggs and larvae have been suggested as potential live prey for marine fish larval feeding. This study evaluated the fatty acid composition of Paracentrotus lividus eggs, prisms and four-armed plutei, obtained from wild and captive broodstocks fed on raw diets: maize, seaweed and a combination of maize and seaweed. Amounts of essential fatty acids (EFA) for marine fish larvae [arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)] were determined in eggs and endotrophic larvae. ARA ranged from 3.93% in eggs from combination to 18.7% in plutei from maize diets. In any developmental stage, EPA amounts were always lower than 5% for the raw diets, and DHA showed null or trace amounts including the wild diet. Thus, broodstock-prepared diets had to be formulated based on different lipid sources (Algamac, linseed oil, cod liver oil and olive oil) in order to test eggs and larvae EFA enhancement. EFA improvement was possible for all tested prepared diets. Algamac diet lead to superior EFA enhancement mainly in DHA (7.24%, 4.92% and 6.09% for eggs, prisms and plutei, respectively) followed by cod liver oil diet. Only these two lipid sources should be considered for prepared broodstock diets in order to obtain suitable live prey for fish larval feeding.     

Effects of docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids on the early growth, survival, lipid composition and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea): a live food enrichment experiment

The role of dietary ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n−3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n−3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n−6) on early growth, survival, lipid composition, and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder was studied. Rotifers were enriched with lipid emulsions containing high DHA (43.3% of total fatty acids), DHA+EPA (37.4% and 14.2%, respectively), DHA+AA (36.0% and 8.9%), or a control emulsion containing only olive oil (no DHA, EPA, or AA). Larvae were fed differently enriched rotifers for 4 weeks post-hatch. At week 4, yellowtail larvae fed the high DHA diet were significantly larger (9.7±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and had higher survival (22.1±0.4%), while larvae fed the control diet were significantly smaller (7.3±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and showed lower survival (5.2±1.9%). Larval lipid class and fatty acid profiles differed significantly among treatments with larvae fed high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets having higher relative amounts of triacylglycerols (18–21% of total lipid) than larvae in the control diet (11%). Larval fatty acids reflected dietary levels of DHA, EPA and AA while larvae fed the control diet had reduced amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and increased levels of PUFA relative to dietary levels. A strong relationship was observed between the DHA/EPA ratio in the diet and larval size (r²=0.75, P=0.005) and survival (r²=0.86, P=0.001). Following metamorphosis, the incidence of malpigmentation was higher in the DHA+AA diet (92%) than in all other treatments (50%). Results suggest that yellowtail larvae require a high level of dietary DHA for maximal growth and survival while diets containing elevated AA exert negative effects on larval pigmentation.     

Estimation of Arachidonic Acid Requirement for Improvement of Pre‐maturation Growth and Egg and Larval Quality in the Female Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus; Pallas, 1770): A Model for the Anabantidae Family

This study investigates the dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) requirement from juvenile to maturation stage in an anabantid model fish, the blue gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. Specifically we determined the optimum dietary ARA content to maximize juvenile growth and subsequent sexual maturation and to improve the quality of their eggs and offspring. Five experimental diets containing 0.02, 0.53, 1.05, 1.60, and 2.12% ARA (of dry weight) were fed to juveniles over 5 mo. The results showed that whole‐body fatty acid profile of broodstock significantly changed in fish fed diets of different ARA content (ANOVA, P < 0.003). The highest contents of 18:2n‐6 and Σn‐6 were obtained in fish fed 0.53% ARA, and a decreasing trend was observed with elevated dietary ARA levels. Monthly specific growth rate (SGR) measurements revealed significant differences in the juvenile stage, but the SGR of broodstock was unaffected by dietary ARA. Protein and ash content of whole‐body broodstock showed no differences among groups, while lipid content decreased as ARA levels increased. Maximum volume of the oocyte was obtained in the 1.05% ARA group, while the yolk sac size increased as dietary ARA increased. The optimum growth and survival of the larvae produced by broodstock were recorded in the 2.12 and 1.6% ARA groups, respectively. It was concluded that despite the presumed ability of freshwater fish to synthesize and meet their highly unsaturated fatty acid requirements, dietary ARA higher than 1.05% had significant stimulatory effects on growth of juveniles but no obvious influence on the growth of matured fish. Also, higher ARA levels (1.6–2.12%) were found to improve the quality of eggs and offspring.     

Advanced broodstock diets for the mangrove red snapper and a potential importance of arachidonic acid in eggs and fry

Mangrove red snapper fed advanced broodstock diets containing squid meal and squid oil exhibited higher hatching rates, cumulative survival and survival activity index than those fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with mixture of antioxidants. On the other hand, fatty acid analyses of ovaries and fry of wild fish and eggs and larvae of broodstock fed raw fish revealed high arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and relatively lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels consequently showing high ARA/EPA and DHA/EPA ratios compared to cold water species. This suggests that ARA may be nutritionally more important for egg and larval development and survival in tropical marine fish and its supplementation in broodstock diets may enhance reproductive performance of mangrove red snapper.     

饲料中花生四烯酸对发育前期大菱鲆亲鱼性类固醇激素合成的影响

为研究饲料中不同水平的花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid,ARA)对发育前期的大菱鲆亲鱼性类固醇激素合成量及合成过程的影响,配制3种等氮等脂(脂肪含量13%)的实验饲料,分别含有不同梯度水平的花生四烯酸:0.72%(不添加花生四烯酸精制油的对照组,C),5.63%(添加低水平ARA的处理组,ARA-L)及15.03%(添加高水平ARA的处理组,ARA-H)(各数值均为占总脂肪酸的比例)。每组饲料投喂3个实验桶,每桶放25尾3龄大菱鲆亲鱼(雌雄比例约为1:1)。养殖实验在室内流水系统内进行,每天饱食投喂2次,养殖周期为5个月。养殖结束后,分别取性腺发育前期的雌雄鱼测血清雌二醇和睾酮的含量并检测性腺中性类固醇激素合成相关蛋白质的基因表达量。结果显示:与对照组相比,饲料中高水平的花生四烯酸显著降低了雌鱼血清中雌二醇的含量,而雄鱼血清中睾酮的含量在低水平花生四烯酸处理组显著降低。在卵巢中,饲料中高水平的花生四烯酸显著降低了促卵泡激素受体mRNA的表达量,但是饲料中低水平的花生四烯酸显著提高了17α羟化酶的mRNA表达量。在精巢中,饲料中低水平的花生四烯酸显著降低了固醇合成急性调节蛋白以及17α羟化酶的mRNA表达量,但显著升高了芳香化酶的mRNA表达量。饲料中花生四烯酸提高了性腺、肝脏和肌肉组织中花生四烯酸的含量,但降低了二十碳五烯酸(EPA)的含量,卵巢中的花生四烯酸累积量高于精巢。综上所述,饲料中添加一定量的花生四烯酸抑制了发育前期大菱鲆亲鱼雌二醇和睾酮的合成,在卵巢中,这种抑制作用可能是通过抑制促卵泡激素受体的表达来实现,而在精巢中,可能是通过抑制固醇合成急性调节蛋白以及17α羟化酶来实现。     

Dietary Arachidonic Acid Alters Tissue Fatty Acid Profile, Whole Body Eicosanoid Production and Resistance to Hypersaline Challenge in Larvae of the Temperate Marine Fish, Striped Trumpeter (Latris lineata)

We determined the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA) on tissue ratios of ARA/eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and subsequent whole body production of the eicosanoids, prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) and E₂ (PGE₂) in the marine larvae of striped trumpeter, Latris lineata. Larvae were also subjected to a hypersaline challenge (55 ppt) with an aim to determine possible relationships between tissue fatty acid profiles, prostanoid production, and their tolerance to osmotic challenge. From 5 to 23 days post-hatch (dph) larvae were fed live food, rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), that had been enriched with one of five experimental emulsions containing increasing concentrations of ARA and constant EPA and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA). Final ARA concentrations in the rotifers were 1.33, 3.57, 6.21, 8.21 and 11.22 mg g⁻¹ DM. Larval growth and survival was unaffected by dietary ARA. Tissue fatty acid concentrations generally corresponded with dietary fatty acids and final tissue ratios of ARA/EPA ranged from 0.9 to 4.9. At 18 and 23 dph whole body concentrations of PGF_2α and PGE₂ generally increased as more dietary ARA was provided in a dose-response manner, and a significant elevation in both PGF_2α and PGE₂ in larvae fed the highest dietary ARA concentration was recorded at 23 dph compared to larvae receiving the lowest concentration. At 18 dph, the highest cumulative inactivity following a hypersaline challenge occurred in larvae fed 8.21 or 11.22 mg ARA g⁻¹ DM, which was significantly greater than those receiving 3.57 mg ARA g⁻¹ DM. At 23 dph no relationship between inactivity of larvae subjected to a hypersaline challenge to dietary ARA was evident. In summary, dietary ARA altered tissue ARA/EPA ratios, prostanoid production and resistance to a hypersaline challenge in larval striped trumpeter. While increasing dietary ARA generally resulted in elevation of prostanoids as well as increasing the number of inactive larvae following a hypersaline challenge at 18 dph, similar trends between prostanoids and larval inactivity were not evident at 23 dph, suggesting the exact mechanisms and relationships between eicosanoids and larval osmoregulation warrants further investigation. Nevertheless the study provides preliminary data on the effect of dietary ARA on the prostaglandin production in marine fish larvae.     

Lipid Nutrition and Feeding of Cobia Rachycentron canadum Larvae

This study examined the fatty acid composition of cobia Rachycentron canadum eggs and yolksac larvae, as well as the ovaries of wild caught females as an initial guide to lipid nutritional requirements. A 2-wk feeding study also was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of four dietary treatments on the growth and survival of cobia larvae. Cobia eggs in the tailbud stage contained 31.4 ± 1.3 μg lipid/egg. After hatching, the amount of lipid decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 28.3 ± 0.3 to 23.2 ± 0.1 μg lipid/larvae during the yolksac larval stage (days 1 to 3 after hatching). Ovaries from wild caught adults and captive spawned eggs and yolksac larvae contained high levels of PUFAs with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) accounting for approximately 80% of the total suggesting that cobia larvae may have a high dietary requirement for these fatty acids. For the feeding study, larvae were fed: 1) Artemia only; 2) enriched rotifers for 1 d only + microparticulate diet (day 313); 3) enriched rotifers for 3 d (day 3–5) + Artemia (day 3–13); and 4) enriched rotifers for 6 d (day 3–8) + Artemia (day 3–13). Cobia larvae began feeding on rotifers 3 d after hatching and on newly hatched Artemia nauplii by the fifth day following the onset of exogenous feeding (day 7). On day 7, no differences in larval growth were found among larvae fed rotifers for 3 versus 6 d, whereas larvae fed only Artemia or rotifers for I d followed by microparticulate diet were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) and did not survive beyond day 9 and 13, respectively. The results of the feeding study indicate that cobia larvae require rotifers for a minimum of 4 d following the onset of exogenous feeding.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of phospholipids and highly unsaturated fatty acids on reproductive performance and offspring quality of Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), female broodstock

This study was conducted to determine the optimum phospholipids: highly unsaturated fatty acids (PL/HUFA) ratio in maturation diets for female Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis broodstock. Five isolipidtic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain different amounts of pork lard, fish oil and soy lecithin with resulting PL/HUFA levels (%dry weight) of 1.4/0.3 (Diet 1), 1.6/2.5 (Diet 2), 2.3/2.0 (Diet 3), 3.8/1.5 (Diet 4) and 5.1/0.8 (Diet 5). Diet 1 lacked supplemental fish oil and soy lecithin and served as the control. Each of the five formulated diets was fed to a total of 150 female crabs for a period of 7 months. All diet treatments were triplicated with 50 crabs stocked in a pond as a replicate. After 6 months, male crabs were introduced into the ponds where females were kept, mating, spawning and egg hatching (in seawater) occurred in the following month. The nutritional value of various formulated diets was assessed based on survival, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg production per female, fecundity (eggs/g female weight) of the females fed those diets and egg and larval (newly hatched zoea I larvae) quality.Females fed Diet 1 had the lowest GSI, egg production per female and fecundity while no significant difference were found for survival, hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the percentage of female spawned among the diet treatments (P > 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in egg diameter, egg wet or dry weights among all treatments (P > 0.05), the highest and the second highest proportions of essential fatty acids (EFA), i.e. 20:5n-3 (EPA), 22:6n-3 (DHA) and HUFA were found in the eggs produced by the females fed Diet 3 and Diet 2, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that EPA, DHA and HUFA in eggs produced by females fed Diet 3 were significantly higher than those from the other treatments (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, zoea I larvae from crabs fed Diet 3 had significantly larger carapace length than those from the other four treatments (P < 0.05). The zoea I larvae from crabs fed Diet 2 and Diet 3 also showed generally better tolerance to starvation and osmotic shock.In conclusion, our results indicated that diet included levels of PL/HUFA around 1.6/2.5 or 2.3/2.0 (% dry weight) fed female E. sinensis broodstock supported increased fecundity and elevated level of HUFA in egg, which in turn resulted in improved overall quality of newly hatched larvae.     

Lipid classes and fatty acids during embryogenesis of captive and wild silverside (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chirostoma estor estor</Emphasis>) from Pátzcuaro Lake

Lipid classes and fatty acid levels were analyzed in freshly fertilized eggs, early and late embryo development, and freshly hatched larvae obtained from wild and captive silverside Chirostoma estor estor broodstock, as well as in plankton, Artemia, and pelleted feed. The concentration of triglycerides (TGs) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in neutral lipid fraction significantly decreased during early development and especially after hatching, whereas phospholipids and HUFA in polar lipid fraction remained constant. These results indicate that TGs rather than PLs are used as energy sources and that all HUFAs [20:4n-6/arachidonic acid (ARA), 20:5n-3/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 22:6n-3/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] of polar lipids are selectively conserved during early development. High levels of DHA (30%, on average, of total fatty acids) and low levels of EPA (4%) were observed in eggs, embryos, and larvae and did not reflect the proportions of these fatty acids in food. Preferential accumulation of DHA from food consumed by broodstock, and then transference to eggs, was probably occurring. The main difference between eggs from both origins was a low level of ARA in eggs from captive fish (4% of total fatty acids) compared to wild fish (9%). This could be associated with a deficiency in the diet that is not compensated for by desaturation/elongation of 18:2n-6 and, possibly, with greater stress in captive fish. In any case, particular requirements of ARA should be determined to optimize the culture of C. estor.     

Lipid enrichment for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae: effect on larval growth, survival and fatty acid profile

Results from three larval Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) feeding trials using non-enriched Artemia and Artemia enriched with Super HUFA®, Arasco®, sunflower oil and microalgae are presented and the effects on larval survival, growth and fatty acid (FA) composition are reported. The FA profile of Senegalese sole eggs was analysed to gather information about the nutritional requirements of the early larval stages and a quite high DHA/EPA ratio (4.3) was found. However, there was no evidence of a high dietary demand for DHA or EPA, given that no relationship was found between dietary HUFA concentration and larval growth and survival. When larvae were fed non-enriched Artemia a significantly better growth and comparable survival were obtained than with Artemia enriched with Super HUFA® (containing the highest HUFA level and DHA/EPA ratio). The FA profiles of the larvae generally reflected those of their diets. DHA was an exception, as it was present in high proportions, even in larvae fed DHA-deficient prey. Total FAME concentration decreased during larval development, with SFA, MUFA and PUFA being equally consumed; HUFA appeared to be less used, with its relative concentration being either kept constant (particularly EPA and ARA) or increased (DHA). A specific requirement for ARA in the first larval stages could not be confirmed but it was always present in considerable amounts, even in larvae fed an ARA poor diet.     

饲料中花生四烯酸水平对凡纳滨对虾免疫相关基因表达及抗菌能力的影响

为了评估饲料中花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid,ARA)水平对凡纳滨对虾免疫相关基因表达及抗菌能力的影响,分别以鱼油和混合植物油为脂肪源,设计了2个系列共9组不同ARA含量的等氮等能,且具备相同饱和脂肪酸(SFA)、单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)、多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)和n-3/n-6比例的实验饲料,投喂对虾6周后,检测各组对虾在急性感染溶藻弧菌0、24、36和42 h时鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD(immune deficiency)和溶菌酶m RNA表达量,并统计感染后96 h内对虾的死亡情况。结果表明:1对虾摄食以鱼油为脂肪源的饲料[饲料DHA(22:6n-3)和EPA(20:5n-3)含量分别为5.85和3.83 mg/g饲料],其鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶m RNA表达量均随饲料中ARA含量的升高呈现先升高后下降的变化;0.56(B组)和0.87 mg ARA/g饲料组(C组)对虾溶菌酶m RNA表达量显著高于0.44(A组)、1.02(D组)和0.28 mg ARA/g饲料组(E组)(P0.05);对虾摄食以植物混合油为脂肪源的饲料(DHA和EPA含量分别为3.28和1.87 mg/g饲料),其鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶m RNA表达量随饲料中ARA含量的升高而升高;1.44 mg ARA/g饲料组(I组)对虾Toll受体m RNA表达量显著高于0.19 mg ARA/g饲料组(F组)(P0.05)。2人工急性感染溶藻弧菌后,各组对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶m RNA的表达量随感染进程均出现显著变化。摄食以鱼油为脂肪源的饲料时,对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶m RNA表达量峰值均出现在0.56 mg ARA/g饲料组(B组),且峰值分别出现在感染后24、42和24 h。摄食以混合植物油为脂肪源的饲料时,对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶m RNA表达量峰值均出现在1.44 mg ARA/g饲料组(I组),且峰值分别出现在感染后24、42和36 h。3各实验组对虾急性感染溶藻弧菌后96 h累积死亡率无显著差异。本研究表明,饲料ARA水平影响凡纳滨对虾免疫相关基因(Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶)的表达,且ARA调控免疫基因表达的效果受饲料EPA和DHA水平的影响。     

Growth and fatty acid composition of juvenile Cerastoderma edule (L.) fed live microalgae diets with different fatty acid profiles

The importance of dietary 20:5n‐3 (EPA), 22:6n‐3 (DHA) and 20:4n‐6 (ARA) for growth, survival and fatty acid composition of juvenile cockles (Cerastoderma edule) was investigated. Cockles of 6.24 ± 0.04 mm and 66.14 ± 0.34 mg (live weight) were distributed into three treatments where live microalgae diets were fed constantly below the pseudofaeces production threshold, for three weeks. Diets had distinct fatty acid profiles: high EPA (53% Chaetoceros muelleri + 47% Pyramimonas parkeae), no DHA (47% Brachiomonas submarina + 53% Tetraselmis suecica) and low ARA concentrations (73% P. parkeae + 27% Phaeodactylum tricornutum). Growth was positively affected by high EPA and low ARA diets, whereas no significant growth was observed for the no DHA diet. High mortality of cockles fed no DHA diet raises questions about its suitability for cockles. In balanced diets with EPA and DHA, lower concentrations of ARA do not limit growth. The impact of dietary fatty acids was evident in the fatty acids of neutral and polar lipids of cockles. In polar lipids of all cockles, there was a decrease in EPA, in contrast to an increase in DHA. The combination of EPA and DHA in a live microalgae diet was beneficial for the growth and survival of juvenile cockles.