不同脂肪源饲料对台湾泥鳅生长、肌肉脂肪酸组成和质构的影响

为研究不同脂肪源饲料对台湾泥鳅(Paramisgumus dabryanus ssp)生长、肌肉脂肪酸组成和质构的影响,实验取体重均值为(2.30±0.05)g的台湾泥鳅750尾分5组,每组3个重复,每个水箱50尾,分别投喂含有6%鱼油(FO)、大豆油(SO)、花生油(PO)、玉米油(CO)或棕榈油(PaO)的等氮等能饲料,饲养7周,测定生长性能、体成分、脂肪酸组成及质构。结果显示:不同脂肪源饲料对台湾泥鳅的成活率影响不显著,鱼油组和棕榈油组特定生长率高、饲料系数低,显著优于其他三组,棕榈油组粗脂肪含量显著高于其他四组;饲料中鱼油可以提高台湾泥鳅鱼体中n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 PUFA)、二十碳五烯酸(DHA)与二十二碳六烯酸(EPA)的相对含量。不同脂肪源饲料对于台湾泥鳅硬度、胶着性影响不显著,对弹性与咀嚼性有一定的影响,其中棕榈油组中弹性和咀嚼性较高。研究表明,鱼油和棕榈油可以作为台湾泥鳅饲料的脂肪源,鱼油有利于提高鱼体中n-3 PUFA含量,棕榈油有助于提高鱼体肌肉的弹性;大豆油、花生油和玉米油对其生长性能不如前两者。     

饲料中n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值对罗氏沼虾幼虾生长性能和抗氧化能力的影响

为探讨饲料多不饱和脂肪酸n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值对罗氏沼虾幼虾生长性能、虾体肌肉组成、抗氧化能力、血清生理指标以及消化能力的影响，实验设计了n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值分别为0.37 (D1)、0.59 (D2)、0.93 (D3)、1.51 (D4)和4.38 (D5)的5种等氮等脂饲料饲喂罗氏沼虾幼虾8周，每组设4重复，每个重复40尾虾 。结果显示，饲料n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值对罗氏沼虾幼虾存活率 (SR)无显著影响；实验虾终末体重 (FW)、增重率 (WGR)和特定生长率 (SGR)随饲料n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值增加先升后降，均在D3组最高；且D3组虾有最大的肝胰腺蛋白酶活性及脂肪酸合成酶活性。虾体肌肉粗蛋白质、水分和灰分含量不受饲料n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值影响，但总脂肪含量在D3组显著高于其他组；各组虾体肌肉的n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值的变化趋势与饲料的n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值变化趋势呈正相关。随饲料n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值增加，实验虾血清和肝胰腺中超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)活性、总抗氧化能力 (T-AOC)和血清铜蓝蛋白 (CP)含量均呈现先升后降趋势，并在n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值为0.93~1.51时达到最大，但丙二醛 (MDA)含量持续上升；D1组血清总胆固醇 (T-CHO)和甘油三酯 (TG)含量显著高于其他组；血清谷草转氨酶 (AST)和谷丙转氨酶 (ALT)活性先降后升，且D3组最低。研究表明，饲料适宜的n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA可显著提升罗氏沼虾生长性能和抗氧化能力，对增重率和特定生长率进行折线回归，建议罗氏沼虾幼虾饲料中最适n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA比值为0.86~0.94。     

n-3/n-6 HUFA对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能、全鱼脂肪酸组成和血清生化指标的影响

为探讨饲料中不同n-3/n-6高不饱和脂肪酸(HUFA)对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能、全鱼脂肪酸组成和血液生化指标的影响,配制了6种不同n-3/n-6 HUFA(D1:29.54,D2:23.04,D3:18.97,D4:9.06,D5:6.86,D6:3.87)的实验饲料。以大菱鲆幼鱼(12.18±0.01)g为研究对象,在循环水养殖系统中开展了为期8周的养殖实验。实验共分6组,每组3个重复,每个重复35尾鱼。结果显示:饲料中n-3/n-6 HUFA对大菱鲆幼鱼的成活率(SR)无显著影响;增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)和蛋白质效率(PER)呈先上升后下降趋势且D6组的显著低于其他各组,D2组蛋白质效率显著高于其他各组。全鱼粗蛋白和灰分均呈先上升后下降趋势;D6组肌肉粗蛋白和灰分显著低于其他各组。全鱼ARA含量随着n-3/n-6 HUFA的下降呈上升趋势;全鱼中EPA、DHA、n-3/n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)和n-3/n-6 HUFA均随着饲料中n-3/n-6 HUFA的下降呈下降趋势。血清中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)随着n-3/n-6 HUFA的变化呈上升趋势;溶菌酶(LZM)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)呈先上升后下降的趋势,溶菌酶在D2组达到最大值,总抗氧化能力在D3组达到最大值。综上所述,饲料中n-3/n-6 HUFA在适宜范围(18.97~23.04)显著提高了实验鱼的生长性能和非特异性免疫力,改变了鱼体组织的常规成分和脂肪酸组成。     

n-3/n-6 HUFA对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长、体组成及组织脂肪酸组成的影响

为研究饲料n-3/n-6高不饱和脂肪酸(HUFA)对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长、体组成及组织脂肪酸组成的影响,配制了6种n-3/n-6 HUFA(D1:14.28,D2:9.26,D3:5.66,D4:3.06,D5:2.02,D6:1.50)的等氮等脂的实验饲料。以许氏平鲉幼鱼(36.30±0.03) g为研究对象,在网箱中养殖65 d,分为6实验组,每组设3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼。结果发现:①饲料n-3/n-6 HUFA对许氏平鲉幼鱼的成活率无显著影响。随着n-3/n-6 HUFA降低,幼鱼增重率呈先上升后下降趋势,饲料系数呈相反趋势,D2和D3组的增重率显著高于各组。②全鱼和肌肉粗脂肪含量呈先上升后下降趋势,分别在D2、D3组达到最大值。肝脏粗脂肪含量呈先下降后上升趋势,D2组显著小于其他各组。③各组织C20:4n-6含量随n-3/n-6 HUFA的降低均呈上升趋势,而C20:5n-3、C22:6n-3和n-3/n-6 HUFA整体呈下降趋势。④鱼体脂肪酸组成受饲料影响程度由大到小依次为腹脂、肌肉、全鱼、肝脏,且各组织C20:5n-3与饲料C20:4n-6均呈显著负相关。研究表明,在本实验条件下,饲料中适宜比例(5.66～9.26)的n-3/n-6 HUFA显著提高实验鱼的生长,改变体组成及组织脂肪酸组成,以增重率和饲料系数作评价指标,经一元二次回归分析得许氏平鲉幼鱼饲料中n-3/n-6 HUFA的适宜比例分别是8.93和8.70。     

饲料不同n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值对日本沼虾生长、虾体组分、血清抗氧化及相关基因表达的影响

为探讨饲料中n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值对日本沼虾生长性能、虾体肉质及血清抗氧化能力的影响,设计了5种不同n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值(D1:0.29、D2:0.56、D3:1.02、D4:2.20、D5:8.52)的等氮等脂饲料,进行了8周养殖实验,每组设4个重复,每个重复45尾虾。结果显示,饲料n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值对日本沼虾的存活率(SR)无显著影响;日本沼虾增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)随饲料脂肪酸比值的增加先升后降,D3组最高且显著高于D1组。饲料n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值对虾体粗脂肪(CF)和粗蛋白(CP)影响显著,D4组虾体粗脂肪显著高于其他各组;D3组虾体粗蛋白显著高于D2、D4和D5组。虾体肌肉脂肪酸比值受饲料脂肪酸比值的影响,肌肉中n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值与饲料中n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值存在显著的正相关关系。血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)在D5组达到最高且显著高于D1、D2和D3组,但与D4组差异不显著;D3组谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)最高且显著高于其他各组;D5组血清丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于D1和D3组。饲料脂肪酸比值对日本沼虾肝胰腺抗氧化基因表达影响显著,D4组Hsp60表达量最高且显著高于D5组,但与D1、D2和D3组差异不显著;D2组Hsp70和Toll表达量最高且显著高于其他各组;D5组Myd88表达量最高且显著高于其他各组。综上所述,饲料中n-3/n-6脂肪酸比值为1.02～2.20,可以显著提高日本沼虾的生长性能和非特异性免疫力。     

饲料LNA/LA比对鲤幼鱼生长性能，肝脏脂肪酸组成及Δ6 fad，elovl5mRNA表达的影响

为了探讨饲料LNA/LA比对鲤幼鱼生长性能和LC-PUFA合成代谢的影响,本研究以鱼油和混合植物油(花生油和紫苏籽油)为脂肪源配制5组等氮等脂饲料。对照组(D1)以鱼油为唯一脂肪源,其他5组实验饲料以花生油和紫苏籽油为脂肪源,且LNA/LA比分别为0.02(D2)、0.46(D3)、1.09(D4)和1.53(D5)。8周养殖实验后,分析各处理组鱼体的生长性能指标、肝脏脂肪酸组成,肝脏Δ6 fad-a/b和elovl5-a/b基因表达水平。结果显示,与对照组相比,植物油饲料对鱼体增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)和饲料系数(FCR)无显著影响,但显著影响了鱼体肝脏LC-PUFA水平,提高了肝脏Δ6 fad-a和elovl5-a mRNA表达水平。在各植物油组之间,饲料LNA/LA比显著影响了鱼体WGR和SGR指标,其中D2和D4组鱼体生长表现较好;随着饲料中LNA/LA比的升高,鱼体肝脏LC-PUFA水平,以及Δ6 fad-a和elovl5-a mRNA表达水平也随之增加,其中D4组鱼体肝脏Δ6 fad-a和elovl5-a mRNA表达量最高,且其LC-PUFA含量显著高于D2和D3组。由此可见,植物油饲料尽管不影响鲤正常生长,但影响了鱼体肝组织LC-PUFA含量。然而,饲料中添加适宜的LNA/LA比(1.09∶1)可促进鲤肝脏Δ6 fad-a和elovl5-a mRNA的表达,最大限度地提高鱼体内源LC-PUFA合成量,从而有效地降低植物油饲料对鱼体组织LC-PUFA含量的负面影响。     

豆油替代鱼油对圆斑星鲽幼鱼生长和肌肉脂肪酸的影响

本实验旨在研究饲料中豆油替代鱼油对圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)幼鱼生长和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。用豆油分别替代0、25%、50%和75%的鱼油,配制4组等氮、等脂肪的饲料。选择初始体重为(65.47±1.57)g的圆斑星鲽幼鱼360尾,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼,养殖56 d。结果显示,(1)随着豆油替代水平的升高,增重率(WGR)呈现降低的趋势(P0.05),饲料系数(FCR)呈现升高的趋势(P0.05),25%替代组的WGR高于鱼油组(P0.05)。(2)豆油替代鱼油对圆斑星鲽肌肉的粗蛋白、粗脂肪、灰分和水分含量无显著性影响(P0.05),对肝体比(HSI)、脏体比(VSI)和肥满度(CF)无显著性影响(P0.05),豆油替代组肝脏的脂肪含量显著高于鱼油组(P0.05)。(3)随着饲料中豆油水平的增加,圆斑星鲽幼鱼肌肉亚油酸(C18:2n-6)和亚麻酸(C18:3n-3)显著升高(P0.05),而二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)则显著降低(P0.05)。研究结果表明,在该实验条件下,饲料中高比例的豆油替代鱼油会降低鱼体的生长性能和肌肉脂肪酸营养品质。     

细鳞鲑幼鱼n-3 HUFA需求量的研究

为确定细鳞鲑(Brachymystax lenok)n-3 HUFA需求量以减少鱼油使用和降低养殖成本,研究饲料中不同水平的n-3 HUFA对细鳞鲑的生长性能、体成分和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。以脱脂鱼粉、脱脂豆粕、明胶和酪蛋白为主要蛋白源,通过调节饲料中的猪油和浓缩油EPA、DHA水平,使饲料n-3HUFA的含量分别达到0.25%、0.50%、0.75%、1.00%、1.25%、1.50%,配制出6种等氮等能的试验饲料(D 0.25、D 0.50、D 0.75、D1.00、D 1.25和D 1.50),分别投喂细鳞鲑幼鱼(60.0 g±2.8 g)84 d。结果显示:饲料中n-3HUFA不同水平对细鳞鲑成活率和饲料系数没有显著影响,但是显著影响了其末重(FW)、增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)。随着添加饲料中n-3HUFA水平的升高,FW、WGR和SGR有先升高后下降的趋势,且3者在饲料中n-3HUFA水平为0.75%均最大。随着饲料中n-3 HUFA水平的升高,鱼肌肉18∶1n-9的含量逐渐下降,而22∶6n-3的水平相应升高。结果表明,以WGR为评价指标时,用二次曲线模型推测出细鳞鲑对饲料n-3 HUFA的需求量约为0.69%。     

n-3高不饱和脂肪酸对黑鲷幼鱼生长及脂肪代谢的影响

研究了饲料中不同水平n-3 HUFA(0.79%,0.83%,0.85%,0.88%,0.92%,0.94%;DHA/EPA=2.8/1)对黑鲷幼鱼生长及脂肪代谢的影响.结果显示:(1)黑鲷幼鱼肝体指数(HSI)及腹脂率(IPF ratio)随饲料中n-3 HUFA含量的增加而减小,且于0.92%和0.94%组时显著低于其他各组;脂肪细胞直径呈减小趋势,其中0.94%组显著小于0.85%组;肌肉脂肪含量受n-3 HUFA的影响显著,于0.88%组时达到最低.各组全鱼水份和脂肪含量差异不显著(P＞0.05).肝脏、肌肉及腹腔脂肪组织饱和脂肪酸(∑SFA)和C16:0含量均随饲料n-3HUFA水平增加呈下降趋势,而∑n-3 HUFA呈显著上升趋势.各组织中DHA/EPA不受饲料脂肪酸组成的影响.以增重率为参考指标,二次回归分析结果表明,黑鲷幼鱼[(8.08±0.09)g]获得最佳增重时对饲料中n-3 HUFA的需要量为0.87%DM;(2)黑鲷幼鱼肝脏脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)活性及基因表达水平均在n-3 HUFA＞0.92%时有显著下降(P＜0.05);腹腔脂肪激素敏感脂肪酶(HSL)活性及基因表达水平均随饲料中n-3 HUFA的添加呈升高趋势(P＜0.05),且高含量n-3 HUFA(0.94%)可使HSL活性增加近一倍.结果表明,饲料中n-3HUFA通过同步调控脂肪合成与分解两个过程影响黑鲷幼鱼脂肪代谢.     

饲料蛋白质和维生素C含量对黄颡鱼生长和免疫力的影响

将黄颡鱼种放养在网箱中,投喂蛋白质含量30.0%、38.0%或46.0%和维生素C磷酸酯0、500、1000或1500mg·kg-1的半纯饲料。50d的饲养表明:饲料蛋白质含量在38%～40%时,鱼的特殊生长率和蛋白质效率最高,饲料系数最低。饲料维生素C磷酸酯含量为847、850、994和634mg·kg-1时,血清总蛋白、γ球蛋白、溶菌酶活性最高,超氧化物歧化酶活力最低。饲料蛋白质含量从30%上升到38%时,鱼体蛋白含量由60.95%升到69.86%,脂肪由29.27%降至21.69%;达46%时,鱼体蛋白(64.35%)含量下降,而脂肪(26.06%)含量上升。饲料粗蛋白含量为38%时,鱼肌肉中饱和与单不饱和脂肪酸的含量分别极显著地低于和显著高于饲料粗蛋白为30%和46%组。后两组鱼肌肉n-3/n-6值极显著和显著高于饲料蛋白含量为38%时,两个高蛋白饲料组中,鱼肌肉中n-6系列多不饱和脂肪酸和亚麻酸含量极显著和显著高于饲料蛋白30%组。黄颡鱼种饲料中蛋白质和维生素C的最适含量分别为35.58%～40.60%和600～800mg·kg-1。     

Effects of dietary (n-3) and (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio on the immune response of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

To examine the influence of the dietary ratio of (n-3) to (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the immune system of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., two dietary trials were carried out in which parr were maintained on diets containing either fish oil [(n-3)/(n-6) PUFA = 5.2] or sunflower oil [(n-3)/(n-6) PUFA = 0.3] and assessed for differences in immunological parameters. There were no significant differences in blood cell counts, differential leucocyte counts or haematocrit values between dietary groups, and while no apparent differences were observed in the non-specific immune parameters measured, there was a significantly higher number of B cells responding to Aeromonas salmonicida, in the kidney and spleen of vaccinated fish maintained on high (n-3)/(n-6) PUFAs diets. There was also a significant difference (P≤ 0.01) between the dietary groups in trial 1 and trial 2 when non-vaccinated fish were challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida and Vibrio anguillarum, respectively, with the (n-6) group succumbing to the bacterium before the (n-3) group. The results suggest that Atlantic salmon fed diets with a low ratio of (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA may be less resistant to infection than those fed diets containing lipid with a high (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio.     

Effects of Acute Handling Stress on Expression of Growth‐Related Genes in Pampus argenteus

In fish, growth and development are mainly regulated by growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factors. Common aquaculture practices subject fish to stress. To investigate the effects of acute stress on growth‐related genes in cultured fish, the expression of growth hormone receptors (ghr1 and ghr2), insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins (igfbp1, igfbp4, and igfbp5), preprosomatostatin I and II (ppss1and ppss2), somatostatin receptors (sstr2 and sstr5), myostatin (mstn1 and mstn2), and glucocorticoid receptors (gr1 and gr2) were examined in Pampus argenteus subjected to handling stress. Plasma growth hormone levels increased significantly and peaked at 12 h and then decreased significantly at 24 h after treatment (P<0.05). Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations in stressed fish began to increase significantly at 2 and 6 h after treatment, respectively. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that hepatic ghr2 mRNA levels in liver and muscle decreased sharply in response to the stressor. Igfbp1, 4, and 5 mRNA expressions in muscle also decreased sharply after exposure, while expression of ppss1, sstr2, and mstn2 increased significantly. This study showed that acute handling stress can affect expression of growth‐related genes in P. argenteus. Our findings could be helpful for the further study on response to stress in this species.     

n-3/n-6长链多不饱和脂肪酸对大菱鲆幼鱼脂肪沉积、脂肪吸收及代谢相关酶活性和血清生化指标的影响

为探讨饲料中不同n-3/n-6长链多不饱和脂肪酸(LC-PUFA)对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)幼鱼生长性能及饲料利用、体组成和消化酶的影响,配制了6种不同n-3/n-6 LC-PUFA比值(29.54,D1组;23.04,D2组;18.97,D3组;9.06,D4组;6.86,D5组;3.87,D6组)的实验饲料。以大菱鲆幼鱼[(12.18?0.01)g]为研究对象,在循环水养殖系统中开展了为期56 d的养殖实验。结果显示,n-3/n-6 LC-PUFA对大菱鲆幼鱼的成活率(SR)无显著影响(P0.05);增重率(WGR)随着n-3/n-6 LC-PUFA的降低呈先上升后下降趋势,D6组显著低于其他各组(P0.05);脂肪沉积率随着饲料中n-3/n-6 LC-PUFA的降低呈下降趋势,且D6组达到最小值,为14.80,显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。随着饲料中的变化,胰蛋白酶的活性呈先增强后减弱的趋势,且在D4组时达到最大值;脂肪酶活性呈上升趋势。随着饲料中n-3/n-6 LC-PUFA的变化,脂肪酸合成酶活性呈先上升后下降的趋势,最高值为D4组,显著高于其他各组(P0.05);葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的酶活呈先上升后下降的趋势,D3组为最大值,显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。随着饲料中n-3/n-6 LC-PUFA的降低,谷草转氨酶呈先上升后下降的趋势;总蛋白、白蛋白和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇均随着饲料n-3/n-6LC-PUFA的变化呈先上升后下降的趋势,均在D5组时达到最大值。研究表明,饲料中n-3/n-6LC-PUFA的比例降低会导致大菱鲆幼鱼的脂肪沉积率降低。     

Influence of dietary n-3 fatty acids on the desaturation and elongation of [1-14C] 18:2 n-6 and [1-14C] 18:3 n-3 in Atlantic salmon hepatocytes

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed diets containing fish oil supplemented with 22:6n-3 (FO diet) or linseed oil supplemented with 20:5n-3 (LO diet) for 6 months. The effects of these diets, both containing about 36% n-3 fatty acids, on the esterification, desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C] 18:2n-6 and [1-¹⁴C] 18:3n-3 were investigated in isolated hepatocytes. The percentages of radioactivity which was esterified from [1-¹⁴C] 18:2n-6 or [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 into total lipids, were approximately 20% lower in hepatocytes from fish fed the FO diet than in hepatocytes from fish fed the LO diet. The percentages of radioactivity esterified in both groups were further reduced when 0.1 mM unlabelled 22:6n-3 was added to the incubation. The percentage of desaturation and elongation products formed from [1-¹⁴C] 18:2n-6 was twice as high in hepatocytes from salmon fed the FO diet as it was in hepatocytes from fish fed the LO diet. The ratio of 18:2n-6 to 18:3n-3 was five times higher in the FO diet, and this probably promoted the conversion of 18:2n-6 to longer chain n-6 fatty acids. When 0.1mM unlabelled 22:6n-3 was added to the incubation medium, the percentages of desaturation and elongation products formed were unchanged. Thus, a high level of 22:6n-3 in the diet is apparently not inhibiting the conversion of 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6, as long as the amount of 18:2n-6 present is substantially higher than that of 18:3n-3. No desaturation and elongation products were recovered from the phospholipids of hepatocytes incubated with [1-¹⁴C] 18:3n-3 in any of the groups. However, the `dead end' elongation product 20:3n-3 was found in the triacylglycerol fraction, and the percentage of this fatty acid increased when 22:6n-3 was added to the incubation medium.     

Effects of temperature and feed composition on essential fatty acid (n-3 and n-6) retention in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr

Retentions of total n-3 and n-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) were assessed in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr held at 8 °C and 2 °C until they increased in weight from ca. 19 g to 38 g. Feeds contained sandeel oil or a rapeseed:linseed oil blend at 21 and 34% dietary fat. EFA retention efficiencies [(g EFA gained g EFA ingested-1) × 100] were estimated by the 'mass balance method' from measurements of feed intake, changes in biomass for each tank of fish, and fatty acid compositions of the feeds and fish. The n-3 EFA retentions were higher (overall mean 71%) across feed treatments and temperatures than the n-6 EFA retentions (overall mean 63%). Retentions of the n-3 fatty acids were higher in the fish given the feeds with the lower fat content (77% vs. 65%), implying improved retention with reduced n-3 EFA availability. n-3 EFA retention tended to be higher at 2 °C than at 8 °C, although this was not consistent across feeds. At low temperature there was very high retention of the n-3 EFAs in feeds containing sandeel oil (80%). Such high retention may represent an adaptation response to low temperature. Lower n-6 EFA retentions imply that more n-6 fatty acids were metabolized than n-3 EFAs. Feed oil influenced retention of the n-6 fatty acids, retention being lower for the salmon parr given the feeds containing sandeel oil (56% vs. 71%). This could indicate a higher tissue deposition of n-6 fatty acids when they are freely available via the diet. Abbreviations: AA – arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6); DHA – docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3); EFA – essential fatty acid; EPA – eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3); HUFA – highly-unsaturated fatty acid (\ge4 double bonds); MUFA – monounsaturated fatty acid (1 double bond); PL – phospholipid; PUFA – poly-unsaturated fatty acids (\ge2 double bonds); SFA – saturated fatty acid (no double bond); TAG – triacylglycerol. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.