Lipid-stimulated somatostatin secretion in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Previous work has shown that somatostatins (SS) affect teleost lipid metabolism indirectly by inhibition of insulin (INS) and directly by stimulation of hepatic lipolysis. In the present study, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were used to characterize further the lipid-SS relationship by evaluating how lipid, contributes to SS secretion bothin vivo andin vitro. In vivo hyperlipidemia was induced for up to 3 h by short-term (2 min) infusion of a triacylglycerol (TG)-rich lipid emulsion (20% Intralipid^®). Plasma total lipid concentration increased 118 and 155% over control levels 1 h and 3 h, respectively, after infusion; much of this increase was due to elevated plasma fatty acids (FA), which increased 39 and 520%, respectively, over the same time-frame. The hyperlipidemic pattern was attended by a significant increase in the plasma concentration of SS. The specific effects of fatty acids were evaluated on isolated Brockmann bodies. Palmitic acid and oleic acid stimulated SS release 378 and 82%, respectively, over baseline levels. These results indicate that lipids, and in particular fatty acids, modulate SS secretion in rainbow trout.     

Fishmeal alternative from renewable CO2 for rainbow trout feed

The rapid global growth in fish farming and limited supply of fish meal (FM) has consequently reduced FM inclusion levels in compound feeds leading to a higher reliance on alternative protein sources. Sasya is a single cell protein (SCP) product that has a similar amino acid profile as FM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing FM with SCP on in vivo digestibility, growth, feed efficiency, whole‐body proximate/amino acid composition and gene expression levels of various hepatic enzymes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three isonitrogenous (470 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (18 g/kg crude lipid) diets were formulated as follows: Diet 1: control (30% FM); Diet 2:24% FM + 6% SCP and Diet 3:18% FM + 12% SCP. Each diet was hand‐fed to triplicate tanks containing 30 rainbow trout fingerlings (4.99 ± 0.20 g) for 9 weeks. Apparent digestibility coefficients of SCP for dry matter, crude protein, lipid and energy were 60, 80, 93 and 74% respectively. Growth performance (final weight: 69–71 g), feed conversion ratios (0.91–0.94) as well as whole‐body protein and amino acid composition were unaffected by diets. However, Diet 3 significantly increased whole‐body crude fat and energy. Fish fed the SCP‐based diets had significantly higher expression for carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1b (CPT1b), fatty acid delta 6 desaturase (FADS6) and fatty acid elongase 5 compared to the control. Overall, the quality of the SCP was similar as FM. Therefore, this product could enlarge the portfolio of alternative protein sources that can be used in fish diets and thus open a new market opportunity for use of a new feed resource in the feed industry.     

Postprandial kinetics of gene expression of proteins involved in the digestive process in rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">O. mykiss</Emphasis>) and impact of diet composition

The impact of increased incorporation of plant ingredients on diets for rainbow trout was evaluated in terms of gene expression of gastric (gastric lipase, pepsinogen) and intestinal (prolidase, maltase, phospholipase A2) digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters (peptide and glucose transporters), as well as of postprandial levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides and total free amino acids. For that purpose, trout alevins were fed from the start of exogenous feeding one of three different experimental diets: a diet rich in fish meal and fish oil (FM–FO), a plant-based diet (noFM–noFO) totally free from fish meal and fish oil, but containing plant ingredients and a Mixed diet (Mixed) intermediate between the FM–FO and noFM–noFO diets. After 16 months of rearing, all fish were left unfed for 72 h and then given a single meal to satiation. Blood, stomach and anterior intestine were sampled before the meal and at 2, 6 and 12 h after this meal. The postprandial kinetics of gene expression of gastric and intestinal digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters were then followed in trout fed the FM–FO diet. The postprandial profiles showed that the expression of almost all genes studied was stimulated by the presence of nutrients in the digestive tract of trout, but the timing (appearance of peaks) varied between genes. Based on these data, we have focused on the molecular response to dietary factors in the stomach and the intestine at 6 and 12 h after feeding, respectively. The reduction in FM and FO levels of dietary incorporation induced a significant decrease in the gene expression of gastric lipase, GLUT2 and PEPT1. The plasma glucose and triglycerides levels were also reduced in trout fed the noFM–noFO diet. Consequently, the present study suggests a decrease in digestive capacities in trout fed a diet rich in plant ingredients.     

Effects of dietary yeast inclusion and acute stress on postprandial plasma free amino acid profiles of dorsal aorta‐cannulated rainbow trout

In a 4‐week experiment, 15 cannulated rainbow trout were fed three diets based on fish meal (FM), Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SC) and Wickerhamomyces anomalus and S. cerevisiae yeast mix (WA). Fish were fed daily, and blood samples were collected on day 7 of each week at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr after feeding. In the final week, fish were exposed to a 1‐min netting stressor. All essential and non‐essential plasma amino acid levels except methionine were similar between fish fed diets FM, SC and WA. Plasma methionine and sarcosine were significantly higher in fish fed diets SC and WA, possibly due to the crystalline methionine level, form or feeding regime. Hydroxy‐proline and 3‐methyl‐histidine were higher in fish fed diet FM, which can be explained by the higher levels present in fish meal compared with yeast. In stressed fish, there were no dietary effects on plasma amino acid levels, but significant increases in taurine and cystathionine were found in stressed compared with unstressed fish. These results demonstrate that yeast‐based diets produce similar plasma amino acid profiles to fish meal and suggest that yeast may be a suitable fish meal replacement in diets for rainbow trout.     

Evaluation of feed protein quality by measuring plasma free amino acids in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) after dorsal aorta cannulation

Two successive experiments were conducted in order to assess plasma free amino acid (FAA) profiles as a method for evaluating protein quality of fish feeds for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar (L.). In experiment 1, the importance of meal size and inter‐fish variation was assessed by using dorsal aorta cannulated fish and diets that contained different sources of fishmeal (menhaden versus herring) which in the case of herring, had been dried at either 70 or 100 °C. In experiment 2, an attempt was made to mimic a production situation by comparing the FAA profiles in salmon fed diets containing two commercially available fishmeals that had been produced in accordance with industrial standards (Norse‐LT94® and NorSeaMink®; Norsildmel AL, Fyllingsdalen, Norway). FAA profiles in plasma 6 h after feeding were compared with feed true protein digestibility as determined in mink. Cannulated fish, held in individual tanks, were hand‐fed twice daily to pellet rejection (satiety) and daily records of the actual rations consumed were maintained. A total of 24 different amino acids and other amino‐containing compounds were detected using high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Morning and evening meal size showed significant correlations. Meal size had a significant effect on blood levels of the majority of essential free amino acids (EAA) as well as the total sum of FAA (TFAA). In experiment 1, a marked inter‐individual effect was found, possibly because of incipient sexual maturation. FAA profiles were therefore corrected for meal size by linear regression while repeated sampling via the permanently implanted cannula allowed paired comparisons of the different test diets, minimizing inter‐individual variation. Significant differences in plasma FAA profile, EAA and TFAA were detected between fish fed all diets in both experiments. The preceding parameters for fish ingesting each feed were directly related to their respective mink protein digestibility in experiment 1, but not in experiment 2. Our results show that dietary protein quality can be differentiated by the aforementioned protocol, and by using fish with a low metabolic rate feed qualities could be ranked correctly as in experiment 1.     

Effects of arginine supplementation on growth performance and plasma arginine,ornithine and citrulline dynamics of rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study aimed to re‐evaluate the effect of excessive arginine supplementation on growth and feed efficiency of rainbow trout, and to assess the effect of dietary arginine supplementation on hepatic amino acid composition, expression of arginase Ⅱ (ARG 2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes in the intestine, and plasma arginine, ornithine, citrulline and urea levels at 0, 6, 12 and 18 hr‐postprandial. Rainbow trout (body weight: 60.5–65 g) were fed diets containing 1.47 (control [CTRL]), 3.89 (3.89A) and 5.64% (5.64A) arginine for nine weeks. Higher muscle protein content was observed in 3.89A than CTRL (p < 0.05). In postprandial study, plasma arginine of 5.64A kept increased until 12 hr‐postprandial and reached identical value (around 150 µg/ml) until 18 hr‐postprandial in 5.64A. Significant increase of plasma arginine level was only observed in arginine supplemented group. Meanwhile, plasma citrulline level in CTRL was significantly higher than in 5.64A at 18 hr‐postprandial. A significantly higher hepatic citrulline level was also observed in CTRL than in 5.64A (p < 0.05). Significantly higher plasma and hepatic free ornithine level was observed in 5.64A than CTRL while significantly higher expression of intestinal ARG2 and HSP70 was found in arginine supplemented groups. These results suggest that citrulline availability seems to be stimulated by arginine deficiency in the CTRL and the presence of arginase in the intestine to regulate excess dietary arginine.     

Effects of oxidized fish oil intake on tissue lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Recent studies in terrestrial animals have shown that feeding the oxidized lipids led to a reduction in triacylglycerols (TAG) and total cholesterol (TC) in liver and plasma. However, limited information is available on the effect of oxidized lipids on lipid metabolism in fish. In this study, four diets containing 0 g kg^?1 (control: fresh fish oil), 30 g kg^?1 (low‐oxidized oil, LOO), 60 g kg^?1 (medium‐oxidized oil, MOO) and 90 g kg^?1 (high‐oxidized oil, HOO) graded oxidized oil levels with the same dietary lipid level were fed to channel catfish for 86 days. The tissue lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of the fish were investigated after this period. The results showed that plasma and liver concentrations of TAG and TC decreased with increasing dietary oxidized oil level (P < 0.05). Decreasing liver lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities were observed with increasing dietary oxidized fish oil inclusion (P < 0.05). The liver C22:6n?3 concentrations significantly decreased with increasing dietary oxidized oil level (P < 0.05), while muscle lipid had a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It suggests that the adverse effects of dietary oxidized oil may be induced by inhibiting lipid metabolism enzymes and, consequently, inhibition of cholesterol homoeostasis and fatty acid synthesis.     

猪油对罗非鱼生长及餐后脂质代谢的影响

在实用饲料配方的基础上分别添加0%、5%、10%猪油组成试验饲料饲喂罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)(初重43 g)8周,比较研究猪油不同添加水平对罗非鱼生长及餐后脂质代谢的影响。结果表明,罗非鱼的末重(FBW)、特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)和饲料效率(FE)随着饲料中猪油水平的增加而显著升高。而摄食量(FI)表现出相反的变化趋势,即高水平猪油组显著低于对照组。随猪油添加水平增加,罗非鱼肝胰脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活力显著降低,而肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加。血清中甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(CHO)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和极低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(VLDL-C)含量均随饲料中猪油水平增加而显著升高。各试验组罗非鱼血清中CHO、TG、LDL-C和VLDL-C含量随时间推移均表现出先升高后降低的变化趋势,TG和VLDL-C的峰值出现在餐后6h,而CHO和LDL-C峰值在餐后9 h。但HDL-C表现出相反的变化趋势,即先降低后升高,在餐后6 h达到最低值。总之,饲料中添加不同水平猪油会促进罗非鱼生长,但会影响罗非鱼的肝功能以及餐后脂质代谢,罗非鱼抗氧化能力也相应受到影响。     

The patterns of plasma free amino acids after force-feeding in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) with and without dorsal aorta cannulation

Two experiments were conducted to compare the patterns of plasma free amino acid concentrations after force-feeding in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) with and without dorsal aorta cannulation. In the first experiment, 35 rainbow trout averaging 504 ± 7.8 g (mean ± SD) were divided into seven groups of five fish each. After 48 h starvation, a group of fish was anaesthetized and blood samples were taken at one of the following time periods: 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after feeding. In the second experiment, five dorsal aorta cannulated rainbow trout averaging 511 ± 6.2 g (mean ± SD) were kept in a cage. After 48 h starvation, the fish were anaesthetized and blood samples were taken from the same fish at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after feeding. In the first experiment, the concentration of all plasma free amino acids except histidine and glycine peaked at 4 h and returned to the basal level 24 h after feeding. In the second experiment, the concentration of all plasma free amino acids except isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and tryptophan also peaked at 4 h and returned to the basal level 24 h after feeding. These results showed that the pattern of plasma free amino acid concentrations from fish with and without dorsal aorta cannulation were similar.     

Effect of partial replacement of dietary fish meal by soybean meal with betaine attractant supplementation on growth performance and fatty acid profiles of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary incorporation of soybean meal for fish meal replacement and supplementation of betaine as an attractant on growth performance and fatty acid profiles of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juvenile trout were fed practical diets, with increasing soybean levels and betaine supplementations. The experimental diets consisted of a control diet with fish meal as the sole protein source (control) and no attractant, 25% soybean‐1% betaine diet (SBM25‐B1), 50% soybean‐2% betaine diet (SBM50‐B2), and 50% soybean‐0% betaine diet (SBM50‐B0). Average body weight was 12.69 ± 0.16 g at the beginning of experiments. Following 54 days feeding programme with experimental diets, average body weights reached 47.45 ± 1.22 g, 58.11 ± 1.77 g, 56.34 ± 1.87 g and 53.76 ± 1.74 g in the control, SBM25‐B1, SBM50‐B2 and SBM50‐B0 groups respectively. As compared with control treatment, significant differences were observed in weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake of 1% betaine treatment at 25% soybean‐meal‐incorporated diet (p < .05), but no differences were observed in feed conversation ratio and survival rates (p > .05). Compared with the control treatment, betaine‐supplemented groups had significantly higher total saturated fatty acid contents (p < .05). On the other hand, the control treatment showed a significantly higher level of monounsaturated fatty acid than the betaine‐supplemented groups (p < .05). Significant differences were observed in fatty acid profile of 1% betaine‐supplemented group (p < .05) compared with the control. Present findings revealed that 1% betaine supplementation with dietary incorporation of soybean meal at 25% level positively influenced growth performance, feed utilization and fatty acid profiles of rainbow trout juveniles.     

Effect of nucleotides supplementation to low‐fish meal feed on long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of nucleotides supplementation to low‐fish meal feed on growth and fatty acid composition of rainbow trout. Six isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isolipidic (18% crude lipid) diets were formulated containing fish meal and plant ingredients as main protein sources. The control diet was a basal diet without supplementation of nucleotides, and five experimental diets were prepared by supplementing one of the five different nucleotides in the form of 5′‐monophosphate (0.15%), that is inosine (IMP), adenosine (AMP), guanosine (GMP), uridine (UMP) and cytidine (CMP) onto basal diet. Two hundred forty juvenile rainbow trout with an initial average body weight 9.8 g were randomly distributed into twelve aquaria. After 15 weeks of feeding period, growth performance and feed utilization of rainbow trout were not significantly different among dietary treatments. Dietary GMP, UMP and CMP tended to accumulate crude lipid in the muscle and whole fish body. Moreover, dietary GMP, UMP and CMP significantly increased hepatic 18:3n‐3 and long‐chain homologue 18:4n‐3 and 20:4n‐3 contents. Hepatic 18:2n‐6 content showed also increase in fish fed GMP, UMP and CMP diets, but decreased in long‐chain homologue 20:3n‐6 and 20:4n‐6 contents. Decrease in 20:4n‐6, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 contents was also found in the muscle of fish fed IMP, GMP and CMP diets. The present study clearly showed that there was no positive effect of dietary nucleotides on growth of fish, but dietary nucleotides particularly GMP, UMP and CMP altered polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of rainbow trout.     

Insect‐based diets high in lauric acid reduce liver lipids in freshwater Atlantic salmon

We evaluated the effect of a diet containing insect meal and insect oil on nutrient utilization, tissue fatty acid profile and lipid metabolism of freshwater Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Insect meal and insect oil from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, L.; BSF), naturally high in lauric acid (12:0), were used to produce five experimental diets for an eight‐week feeding trial. 85% of the dietary protein was replaced by insect meal and/or all the vegetable oil was replaced by one of two types of insect oil. A typical industrial diet, with protein from fishmeal and soy protein concentrate (50:50) and lipids from fish oil and vegetable oil (33:66), was fed to a control group. The dietary BSF larvae did not modify feed intake or whole body lipid content. Despite the high content of saturated fatty acids in the insect‐based diets, the apparent digestibility coefficients of all fatty acids were high. There was a decrease in liver triacylglycerols of salmon fed the insect‐based diets compared to the fish fed the control diet. This is likely due to the rapid oxidation and low deposition of the medium‐chain fatty acid lauric acid.     

Modelling the effects of dietary methionine level and form on postprandial plasma essential amino acid profiles in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aquafeed formulation is susceptible to affect amino acid (AA) availability for metabolic functions. Statistical models were applied to quantify the effect of dietary methionine level (from 6.01 to 16.17 g kg^?1 dry matter) and form (free, coated or bound) on postprandial concentrations of plasma essential amino acid (EAA) in rainbow trout. Twelve diets were formulated with pea and soya protein concentrate or fish meal as the main protein ingredients and were supplemented or not with increasing amount of either crystalline or agar‐coated methionine. Fish were acclimatized to one of the 12 diets for 6 weeks before postprandial plasma sampling (six sampling points up to 36 h, seven fish each time), further analysed for EAA content. Using generalized additive models, we show that (i) dietary methionine level and form explained 74% postprandial methionine plasma variations and that (ii) the methionine dietary form and plasma concentrations significantly affected the plasma concentrations of the other EAAs. Finally, linear model revealed a positive relationship (R² > 0.9) between plasma concentrations of the three branched‐chain AAs under the present experimental conditions. The results obtained add new information on the dietary effects on EAAs in the plasma availability and the interactions between them.     

Partial replacement of fish oil by soybean oil on lipid distribution and liver histology in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of fish oil replacement by soybean oil, on lipid distribution and liver histology of two commercially important finfish species: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Sea bass (16.2 ± 0.5 g; mean ± SD) and rainbow trout (52.1 ± 0.5 g) juveniles were fed one of three isonitrogenous (500 g kg^?1 CP) and isoenergetic (19 kJ g^?1) diets, containing 0% (control, diet A), 25% (diet B) and 50% (diet C) soybean oil. At the end of the experiment, lipid deposition was evaluated in muscle, liver and viscera. Cholesterol and triglycerides levels were also determined in plasma. Tissue total, neutral and polar lipid composition (g kg^?1 total lipids) showed no significant differences within species, regardless the dietary treatment. The same trend was observed for plasma parameters (P > 0.05). Viscera were the preferential tissue of lipid deposition, with 252–276 and 469–513 g kg^?1 total lipid content in trout and sea bass, respectively. Dietary fish oil replacement had no effect on either hepatic lipid droplets accumulation or degree and pattern of vacuolization in the observed liver sections. These data suggest that both sea bass and trout can be fed diets containing up to 50% soybean oil without adverse effects on tissue lipid composition or liver histology.     

Dynamics of plasma free amino acids in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss under variety of dietary conditions

Plasma amino acid profiles in the systemic circulation of rainbow trout acclimated to diets containing different protein sources, with and without supplementation with free amino acids, were monitored for up to 120 hours after consumption of the diets. Plasma concentrations of lysine, methionine, and isoleucine increased more rapidly after feeding a diet supplemented with these amino acids in free form and, depending upon the increase in plasma concentration, remained at concentrations above those in fish fed the basal diet for at least 24h after feeding. Dietary supplementation with isoleucine increased plasma concentrations of leucine and valine as well as of isoleucine. Maximum plasma concentrations for most amino acids were attained between 12 and 24h postprandial. Dietary inclusion of gelatin caused more rapid elevations in plasma glycine and serine than did free glycine. Feeding at three hour intervals resulted in stable plasma concentrations of individual amino acids in contrast to the fluctuations occurring when fish were fed once daily. Frequent feeding favoured a higher proportion of protein to lipid in body composition.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources on growth performance,body composition and lipid metabolism‐related enzymes and genes of juvenile golden pompano,Trachinotus ovatus

Three groups of juvenile golden pompano, Trachinotus ovatus (54.75 ± 0.25 g), were each fed one of three diets containing different lipid sources: fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SO) and lard oil (LO). Fish were reared in sea cages for 8 weeks, and the fish fed the FO diet had significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) but lower condition factor (CF) than the other treatments. The fatty acid (FA) composition of whole‐body lipids was closely correlated with those in the diets. Although no differences can be found in hepatic fatty acid synthase (fasn) activity, the carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (cpt1) activity in fish fed the FO diet was significantly higher compared with other treatments. In addition, the relative gene expression of lipid metabolism‐related enzymes, such as cpt1, fas, apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100), delta‐6 fatty acyl desaturase (fadsd6) and fatty acid‐binding protein 1 (fabp1), was also influenced by the different dietary lipid sources. Serum triglyceride (TG) and glucose content in fish fed the LO and FO diets were significantly higher than those in the SO group. Accordingly, it can be concluded that FO could not be completely replaced by SO or LO in golden pompano diets. The lipid sources of a diet could impose significant influence on body condition factor and hepatic lipid metabolism of golden pompano.     

The effect of culture on morphology, lipid and fatty acid composition, and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cells

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cell cultures were obtained by trypsinization of the tissue and grown in Leibovitz L-15 medium. Lipid class compositions, and fatty acid profiles of total lipids and individual phospholipid classes were determined at different times of culture. The metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was investigated by incubating primary cultures after 7 and 14 days with [1-¹⁴C]18:2n-6 and [1-¹⁴C-]18:3n-3. The change in morphology between epithelial-like primary cultures and fibroblastic-like secondary subcultures was accompanied by alterations in the lipid composition. Polar lipids became predominant by 14 days in culture. The relative proportions of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the most abundant phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol and cholesterol increased significantly, while sphingomyelin decreased. Saturated fatty acids, 18:1n-9, n-6 and n-9PUFA were more abundant in total lipid in cultures at 14 days and 4 months than in cells initially isolated which contained higher percentages of longer chain monoenes and n-3PUFA. The changes in fatty acid composition with time in culture were observed in all the major phospholipid classes. Rainbow trout skin cells in culture desaturated and elongated both 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, with 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 being the most abundant products, respectively. PC presented the highest incorporation of radioactivity, especially following incubation with 18:3n-3. Lipid metabolism in general increased with the age of primary cultures, with both the amount of C18 PUFA incorporated and metabolized by desaturation/elongation significantly increased in 14 day cultures compared to 7 day cultures. Product/precursor ratios calculated for both n-6 and n-3 fatty acids showed that, while 6 desaturase activity was increased significantly with cell age, 5 desaturase activity was more affected by the fatty acid series, with 18:3n-3 being more readily transformed to 20:5n-3 than 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6. Further desaturation of 20:5n-3 to hexaenes was low. Overall, the data suggested that the trout skin cell cultures were more similar to mammalian skin fibroblasts than mammalian epidermal/keratinocyte cultures.     

Effect of diet on the lipid composition of the commercial clam Donax trunculus (Mollusca: bivalvia): sex‐related differences

This paper describes the lipid composition of the commercial bivalve Donax trunculus and the differences originated when the animals were fed with two phytoplankton species (Tetraselmis suecica and Chaetoceros sp.) in a hatchery. We also analysed sex‐related differences in lipid classes and fatty acid profile. Total lipids were higher in females than in males. Triglycerides and phospholipids were the major lipid components, and the former dominated in females and the latter in males. The main fatty acids in both sexes were 16:0, 20:5n‐3 (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 22:6n‐3 (docosahexaenoic acid). Females showed higher percentages of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids than males. Significant differences in total lipid, lipid classes and fatty acid profiles were also found due to diet. Docosahexaenoic acid decreased and total lipids, free fatty acids, arachidonic acid and EPA increased in both sexes. Despite these differences, the condition of the species was maintained and the broodstock even maturated.     

Partial to total replacement of fishmeal by poultry by‐product meal in diets for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their effect on fatty acids from muscle tissue and the time required to retrieve the effect

Triplicate groups of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (1.4 ± 0.1 g) were fed experimental diets containing four levels of protein substitution to totally replace fishmeal with poultry by‐product meal (0, 33, 67 and 100%). Fishmeal (FM) from tuna fish by‐products and poultry by‐product meal ‘pet food grade' (PBM) were used. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (43.5% crude protein) and isolipidic (12.5% crude fat). After 80 days of feeding, no significant differences were found in terms of thermal unit growth coefficient (TGC). However, the EPA levels in muscle tissue among treatments 0PBM, 24PBM and 44PBM were found to be significantly higher than those for the 59PBM diet. Nevertheless, a re‐feeding period with the control diet showed that 28 days was long enough to regain the FA profile needed. We concluded that PBM used up to 44% in diets for juvenile rainbow trout can be used without a significantly decrease in EPA and DHA under the present conditions. The use of a whole fishmeal diet could be an important strategy to recuperate the fatty acid profile obtained when trout is feed on PBM basis. It will be important to perform longer experiments with larger fish to confirm these results.