Fatty acid metabolism in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): effects of n-6 PUFA and MUFA in fish oil replaced diets

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)-rich and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-6 PUFA)-rich vegetable oils are increasingly used as fish oil replacers for aquafeed formulation. The present study investigated the fatty acid metabolism in juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, 38.4 g) fed diets containing fish oil (FO, as the control treatment) or two different vegetable oils (the MUFA-rich canola/rapeseed oil, CO; and the n-6 PUFA-rich cottonseed oil, CSO) tested individually or as a 50/50 blend (CO/CSO). The whole-body fatty acid balance method was used to deduce the apparent in vivo fatty acid metabolism. No effect on growth performance and feed utilization was recorded. However, it should be noted that the fish meal content of the experimental diets was relatively high, and thus the requirement for n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) may have likely been fulfilled even if dietary fish oil was fully replaced by vegetable oils. Overall, relatively little apparent in vivo fatty acid bioconversion was recorded, whilst the apparent in vivo β-oxidation of dietary fatty acid was largely affected by the dietary lipid source, with higher rate of β-oxidation for those fatty acids which were provided in dietary surplus. The deposition of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, as % of the dietary intake, was greatest for the fish fed on the CSO diet. It has been shown that European sea bass seems to be able to efficiently use n-6 PUFA for energy substrate, and this may help in minimizing the β-oxidation of the health benefiting n-3 LC-PUFA and thus increase their deposition into fish tissues.     

Ration of 20:3 (n-9) to 20:5 (n-3) in Phospholipids as an Indicators of Dietary Essential Fatty Acid Sufficiency in Striped Bass,Morone saxarilis,and Palmetto Bass,M. saxatilis x M. chrysops

The effects of feeding different sources of brine shrimp nauplii with different fatty acid compositions on growth, survival, and fatty acid composition of striped bass, Morone saxarilis and palmetto bass (M. saxatilis x M. chrysops) were determined. The sources of brine shrimp were Chinese (CH), with a high percentage of 20:5(n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Colombian (COL), San Francisco Bay (SFB), and Great Salt Lake (GSL), with low percentages of EPA but high percentages of 18:3(n-3), linoienic acid. None of the brine shrimp sources contained a measurable amount of 22:6(n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). After enrichment with menhaden oil to increase the content of EPA and DHA, the GSL brine shrimp nauplii were also fed to hybrid striped bass.Growth and survival of fish larvae fed brine shrimp nauplii with high percentages of EPA and DHA (CH and GSLE) were higher (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed brine shrimp with a low percentage of EPA (COL, SFB, and GSL). The ratio of 20:3(n-9) eicosatrienoic acid (ETA), to DHA in polar lipids (phospholipids) of fish, traditionally used as an indicator of essential fatty acid (EFA) sufficiency of the diet, was not a reliable indicator of essential fatty acid sufficiency of diets for larval striped bass and hybrid striped bass. However, the ratio of ETA to EPA appears to be an appropriate indicator. An ETA-to-EPA ratio in phospholipids of less than 0.10 is consistent with an EFA sufficient diet.     

Echium oil increased the expression of a Δ4 Fads2 fatty acyl desaturase and the deposition of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in comparison with linseed oil in striped snakehead (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa striata</Emphasis>) muscle

Despite the potential of vegetable oils as aquafeed ingredients, a major drawback associated with their utilization is the inferior level of beneficial n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). Echium oil (EO), which is rich in stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3), could potentially improve the deposition of n-3 LC-PUFA as the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA is enhanced through bypassing the rate-limiting ?6 desaturation step. We report for the first time an attempt to investigate whether the presence of a desaturase (Fads2) capable of ?4 desaturation activities and an elongase (Elovl5) will leverage the provision of dietary SDA to produce a higher rate of LC-PUFA bioconversion. Experimental diets were designed containing fish oil (FO), EO or linseed oil (LO) (100FO, 100EO, 100LO), and diets which comprised equal mixtures of the designated oils (50EOFO and 50EOLO) were evaluated in a 12-week feeding trial involving striped snakeheads (Channa striata). There was no significant difference in growth and feed conversion efficiency. The hepatic fatty acid composition and higher expression of fads2 and elovl5 genes in fish fed EO-based diets indicate the utilization of dietary SDA for LC-PUFA biosynthesis. Collectively, this resulted in a higher deposition of muscle eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) compared to LO-based diets. Dietary EO improved the ratio of n-3 LC-PUFA to n-6 LC-PUFA in fish muscle, which is desirable for human populations with excessive consumption of n-6 PUFA. This study validates the contribution of SDA in improving the content of n-3 LC-PUFA and the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) in a freshwater carnivorous species.     

Relationship between dietary lipid source, oxidative stress, and the physiological response to stress in sub-yearling chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Relationships between dietary lipid source, stress, and oxidative stress were examined in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Four different experimental diets were used: menhaden oil (MHO; elevated 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3), soybean oil (SBO; elevated 18:2n-6), linseed oil (LSO; elevated 18:3n-3), and a mixture of 55% linseed oil and 45% soybean oil (MIX; approximately equal levels of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3). Juvenile salmon (initial body weight of 16.0 g) were fed experimental diets for 12 weeks (early March to early June). At the end of feeding, fish subjected to a low-water stressor for 96 h had greater liver and brain lipid peroxidation compared to unstressed controls; peroxidation was not influenced by diet. Diet and stress affected plasma cortisol levels. Stressed fish fed SBO had the greatest cortisol concentrations, followed by MIX, MHO, and LSO (mean concentrations for the SBO and LSO diets differed significantly). The cortisol response to stress may have been influenced by the ratio of prostaglandin 1- and 2-series to prostaglandin 3-series precursor fatty acids provided by the different diets. The results of this study suggest a connection between the physiological response to stress, dietary lipid quality, and oxidative stress. This is the first evidence of such a relationship in fish. Abbreviations: AA - arachidonic acid; ACTH - adrenocorticotropin; BHT - butylated hydroxytoluene; BLPO - brain lipid peroxidation; dGLA - dihomo-γ-linolenic acid; DHA - docosahexanoic acid; EPA - eicosapentanoic acid; FER - feed efficiency ratio; FOX - ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange; GLA -γ-linolenic acid; LA - linoleic acid; LCO3 - long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; LLPO - liver lipid peroxidation; LN - linolenic acid; LPO - lipid peroxidation; LSO - linseed oil; MHO - menhaden oil; MIX - 55% linseed oil + 45% soybean oil; PC - plasma cortisol; PG - prostaglandin(s); PGE₂- prostaglandin E₂; PUFA - polyunsaturated fatty acid; SBO - soybean oil. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of dietary n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acid ratios on spawning performance and larval quality in tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

This study investigated the effect of n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acid ratios in broodstock diets on reproduction performance, fatty acid composition of eggs and gonads of tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis. Broodstock were fed five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets for 60 days. The supplemented lipids were prepared by a combination of fish oil and soybean oil inclusion FO (fish oil); FSO1 (fish oil: soybean oil = 7:1); FSO2 (fish oil: soybean oil = 2.2:1); FSO3 (fish oil: soybean oil = 1:1); FSO4 (fish oil: soybean oil = 1:4.3) as lipid sources with different n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acid ratios 10.40, 5.21, 2.81, 1.71 and 0.87. Results showed that relative fecundity, fertilization rate and survival rate of larvae at 7 days posthatching were all higher in broodstock fed FSO1 and FSO2 diet and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in groups fed FSO3 and FSO4 diets. The best result in starvation tolerance test was obtained in FSO2 diet. The present study suggests that n‐3 and n‐6 PUFA ratio in broodstock diet has a considerable effect on spawning performance, egg and larval quality for C. semilaevis.     

Influence of dietary fish oil concentration and finishing duration on beneficial fatty acid profile restoration in sunshine bass Morone chrysops ♀ x M. saxatilis ♂

Considerable feed savings may be realized by reducing the fish oil (FO) content of aquafeeds used during grow-out, but fatty acid (FA) profile of the resultant seafood will be altered. By feeding a FO-rich finishing feed prior to harvest, fillet levels of beneficial long-chain polyunsaturated FA (LC-PUFA) can be partially or completely restored. We evaluated the use of linseed oil (LO) as a partial substitute for FO, and assessed the relative impacts of grow-out feed FO concentration and finishing duration on production performance and fillet fatty acid (FA) composition of sunshine bass. Fish were raised on feeds containing 33 or 67% FO during the grow-out period, and then finished with a 100% FO finishing feed for 4 or 8 weeks before harvest; for comparison, a control group was fed the 100% FO feed throughout the entire 20-week trial. Production performance was unaffected by the dietary formulations or feeding schemes, however, fillet FA varied among treatment groups. Increased consumption of LO, whether by increased dietary concentrations or longer feeding periods, resulted in elevated levels of LO-associated medium-chain polyunsaturated FA, specifically 18:3n-3; increased consumption of FO had the same effect on tissue levels of FO-associated LC-PUFA such as 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. Finishing had a significant restorative effect on fillet LC-PUFA content (LC-PUFA in finished groups ranged from 64-87% of control levels compared to 50-71% in unfinished groups), however, with the exception of 22:6n-3, 8 weeks of finishing was still insufficient to completely restore fillet LC-PUFA content to control levels, regardless of grow-out feed. We observed fillet levels of LC-PUFA to be essentially a function of total FO consumption, and FA profile change to be relatively well-described by simple dilution modeling. However, further research is needed to unequivocally demonstrate the relative merits of continuous vs. periodic provision of FO-rich aquafeeds.     

Response of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides to Dietary Supplementation of Lysine, Methionine, and Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Abstract.— A 12-wk feeding trial was conducted in aquaria with juvenile (36.0 ± 1.2 g) largemouth bass Microptents salmoides to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of methionine, lysine, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on growth, feed conversion and body composition. Diets were formulated to increase dietary concentrations of methionine. lysine, and PUFAs to match levels found in whole body samples of largemouth bass. The control diet was formulated similar to diets previously tested for largemouth bass. Diets 2 and 3 were similar to the control diet hut were supplemented with 2% lysine and 1% methionine, respectively. Diet 4 was formulated to increase PUFAs, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6n-3), by replacing menhaden fish oil with squid oil. Fish were fed all they would consume in 10 min, twice daily. At harvest, there were no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05) in average individual weight or specific growth rate (SGR) among fish fed the four diets. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of largemouth bass fed the diet supplemented with methionine (1.7) was significantly lower ( P ≤ 0.05) than fish fed the control diet (2.5). Fish fed the diet high in PUFA had significantly lower ( P ≤ 0.05) whole body lipid levels and significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05) protein levels than fish fed the other three diets. These data indicate that the control diet in this study likely contained sufficient lysine, methionine and PUFA to meet the requirements of largemouth bass; however, additional methionine may improve feed conversion efficiency, and increased levels of PUFAs or other factors in squid oil may have a significant impact on body composition.     

Minimizing Fish Oil and Fish Meal with Plant‐based Alternatives in Sunshine Bass Diets without Negatively Impacting Growth and Muscle Fatty Acid Profile

We determined whether canola oil could spare menhaden oil (MO) in diets containing minimal fish meal without affecting sunshine bass, Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis, production. Seven isonitrogenous, isocaloric (41.7% crude protein and 14.6% crude lipid) diets containing graded levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100%) of menhaden to canola oils with 20% menhaden meal (MM) or 100% canola oil with 20% lipid‐extracted MM were fed to sunshine bass (initial weight 9.3 ± 0.16 g; mean ± SD) twice daily to apparent satiation for 10 wk. Sunshine bass fed less than 40% of their dietary lipid as MO exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed intake and growth rates. Increased concentrations of saturated, n‐3, and n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (FA) in the fillet were associated with MO‐rich diets, while monounsaturated and n‐6 FA were most common in fillets from fish fed diets rich in canola oil. Reducing MO to 40% of the dietary lipid in diets containing minimal fish meal allows for efficient utilization of marine resources without negatively impacting juvenile sunshine bass production.     

Influence of partial substitution of dietary fish oil by vegetable oils on the metabolism of [1-14C] 18:3n-3 in isolated hepatocytes of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

The static or declining supply of fish oil from industrial fisheries demands the search of alternatives, such as plant (vegetable) oils, for diets in expanding marine aquaculture. Vegetable oils are rich in C₁₈ polyunsaturated fatty acids but devoid of the n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in fish oils. Previous studies, primarily with salmonids, have shown that including vegetable oils in their diets increased hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of dietary partial substitution of fish oil (FO) with rapeseed oil (RO), linseed oil (LO) and olive oil (OO) on the desaturation /elongation and, -oxidation capacities of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 in isolated hepatocytes from European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), in a simultaneous combined assay. Fish were fed during 34 weeks with diets containing 100% FO, or RO, LO and OO, each included at 60% with the balance being met by FO, with no detrimental effect upon growth or survival. The highest total desaturation rates were found in hepatocytes of fish fed FO diet (0.52±0.08 pmol/h/mg protein) and OO diet (0.43±0.09 pmol/h/mg protein), which represented 3.2% and 2.7% of total [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 incorporated, respectively. In contrast, lowest desaturation rates were presented by hepatocytes of fish fed LO and RO diets (0.23±0.06 and 0.14±0.05 pmol/h/mg protein, respectively) represented 1.4% and 0.9% of total [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 incorporated, respectively. The rates of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 β-oxidized were between 11-fold and 35-fold higher than desaturation. However, no significant differences were observed among β-oxidation activities in hepatocytes of fish fed any of the diets. The present study demonstrated that the European sea bass, as a carnivorous marine fish, presented a ‘marine’ fish pattern in the metabolism of 18:3n-3 to 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. This species appeared to have all the enzymic activities necessary to produce 22:6n-3 but presented only extremely low rates of fatty acid bioconversion. Furthermore, nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation was minimal, and dietary vegetable oils did not increase desaturase activities, and in RO and LO treatments the activity was significantly lower. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

海水鱼类亲体必需脂肪酸营养的研究进展

脂肪酸营养特别是其中的必需脂肪酸在海水鱼类生殖调控方面具有重要的生理作用。饲料中二十碳五烯酸(EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)以及花生四烯酸(ARA)含量在调控海水鱼类性腺发育、排卵、孵化率及仔鱼质量等方面作用显著。本文主要从必需脂肪酸需求量、对繁殖性能影响、对机体脂肪酸存储影响及对内分泌调控作用4个方面归纳总结了海水鱼类亲体脂肪酸营养的研究概况,并重点分析探讨了在内分泌调控方面的研究进展,同时对后续的研究重点提出了一些建议。     

Effects of dietary lipids on tissue fatty acids profile,growth and reproductive performance of female rice field eel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Monopterus albus</Emphasis>)

The effects of different lipids on tissue fatty acid profile and reproductive performance in female rice field eel were investigated in this study. Virgin female eels were fed with six diets containing different lipids (diets FO, LO, SO, PO and PL with fish oil, linseed oil, soybean oil, peanut oil and pork lard, respectively; diet APO with arachidonic acid and peanut oil). The results showed that there were positive correlations between the contents of 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the tissues of eels and those of the corresponding fatty acids in their diets. The specific growth rate of eels fed with diet PO was the lowest and significantly lower than that of FO and SO. Gonad of eels fed with diets PO and PL showed hypogonadism. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) can be synthesized by eels, but the quantity was not enough to meet their reproduction requirement completely. The fatty acid desaturation, rather than elongation probably was one of the limiting factors. Addition of proper amount of ARA in diet was favorable to the increase of the hatching rate of fertilized eggs, while EPA and DHA in diet were beneficial to the increase of the survival rate of larva. Both n-3PUFA and a suitable n-6/n-3PUFA ratio were necessary for growth and reproduction of eels.     

Spontaneous Spawning of Captive Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, and Dietary Lipid Effect on Reproductive Performance

Two experiments addressed the spontaneous spawning of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus , under controlled temperatures and photoperiods and the effect of broodstock diets supplemented with oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. In Experiment 1, broodfish were fed a standard diet (ST1) and one enriched with menhaden oil (ER1) over a 355-d period. ER1-influenced egg fatty acid profile, however, did not positively influence egg production. Both diets produced highly viable eggs and larvae but results varied within treatments. In Experiment 2, broodfish were fed either a standard diet (ST2) or one supplemented with oils (ER2) rich in docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid using a 203-d cycle. Both treatments produced eggs but fertilization rates ranged 0–10%. There was no clear influence of the diets on egg fatty acid profiles. These results indicate that red snapper can spawn spontaneously in tanks under controlled environmental conditions and produce viable eggs and larvae when fed diets based on squid, shrimp, and fish. The fatty acid composition of the diets was reflected in the eggs to some degree, but the oil enrichments did not further enhance the reproductive performance and egg quality under the conditions of this study.     

Fatty acid influence on Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes,Prochilodontidae) embryo cryopreservation parameters.

This study aimed to evaluate the vitellogenic transference and incorporation of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) into the membranes of Prochilodus lineatus embryos, aiming to increase the permeability to cryoprotectants and resistance to electric fields. One hundred thirty broodstock of P. lineatus were fed with control (C) or fish oil‐supplemented diets (FO) for 12 months. The fatty acid (FA) profle was determined using gas chromatography. For the neutral fraction, the FO group had a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and an increase in n3PUFA and, n6PUFA. To test for cryoprotectant toxicity, embryos were exposed for 20 min to a cryoprotectant solution of 1,2‐Propanediol (Prop) at a concentration of 5 or 6 molar (M). For FO, a reduction in survival of 33.1% was observed in 5 M, and no survival was observed at 6 M. Embryo samples were exposed the six polarized electric fields (3.4–51.6 joules), and with 11.2 J of energy, the control group exhibited reduced survival in 98.3% of the fish, whereas the FO presented superior resistance, exhibiting a survival similar to that of the OJ up to 40.2 J. We conclude that FA were transferred between P. lineatus broodstock to the embryos, with an increase in LC‐PUFA resulting in lower survival rates in the cryoprotectant test in the FO group and a greater physical plasticity of FO embryos to electrical field tests.     

Evaluation of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Enrichment of Artemia Nauplii as Food for Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Walbaum Larvae

Three enrichment techniques were evaluated for their efficiency in improving the dietary value of Artemia nauplii to striped bass larvae. Newly hatched Artemia nauplii from the Great Salt Lake (GSL) were enriched for 24 h using the following diets: 1) gelatin-acacia microcapsules containing menhaden oil rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), primarily 20:5ω3 eicosapen-taenoic acid; 2) an emulsion of Baker's yeast and menhaden oil; and 3) marine Chlorella sp. Unfed San Francisco Bay (SFB) and GSL nauplii were used as controls. Enriched GSL (all three diets) and unfed SFB nauplii had significantly higher ( P < 0.05) levels of 20:503 than the unfed nauplii from GSL. Seven days post-hatched (day 0) striped bass larvae were reared for 21 d on enriched or unfed nauplii. On day 21, wet weight and total length of striped bass larvae fed enriched GSL nauplii and unfed SFB nauplii were significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than those fed unenriched GSL nauplii. The enrichment of the GSL nauplii appeared to increase the eicosapentaenoic acid content and enhance the growth of the striped bass larvae.     

Effect of dietary essential fatty acids on level of oestradiol‐17β and vitellogenin,reproductive performance and larval quality of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) in out‐of‐spawning season

A study was conducted to determine the effect of essential fatty acid in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) broodstock diets on a level of oestradiol‐17β and vitellogenin, reproductive performance and larval quality in out‐of‐spawning season. Five female and five male broodstock were stocked into a net cage (3 × 5 × 1.5 m³) and fed with pelleted diets containing 1.5% fish oil and different amounts of corn oil (CO) in diet formulation, that is 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% respectively. Gonadal development, oestradiol‐17ß and vitellogenin concentrations were examined every 2 weeks. Oestradiol‐17ß and vitellogenin concentrations showed an increase during the maturation process. The significantly highest percentage of female mature, fecundity, hatching rate, larval production and larval survival rate were obtained from fish fed with 2% corn oil in the diet. This result revealed that the administration of 2% corn oil in the diet as a source of n‐6 (linoleic acid) and 1.5% fish oil as a source of n‐3 (linolenic acid) can improve the reproductive performance of striped catfish broodstock in out‐of‐spawning season.     

Requirements for n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in feeding juvenile Iranian sturgeon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser persicus</Emphasis>) and its effects on growth,carcass quality,and fatty acid composition

A 60-day feeding experiment was carried out on juvenile Iranian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) to evaluate the effects of different percentages of canola oil and fish oil containing n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) on fish growth and fatty acid composition. The requirement for n-3 HUFA of juvenile Iranian sturgeon (48.4 ± 1.98 g) was studied by feeding the fish with various diets containing six different percentage of n-3 HUFA ranging from 1.56 to 17.25 (% of total fatty acids). Neither the weight gain, feed conversion ratio, condition factor, specific growth rate nor the protein efficiency ratio showed any significant differences between the dietary treatments nor in the body composition of juvenile Iranian sturgeon (P > 0.05); also there were no significant difference with respect to the effect of the dietary treatment (P > 0.05) on the blood parameters, for the content of plasma protein, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride. The fatty acid composition of the carcass of the Iranian sturgeon fed with the diets containing various levels of n-3 HUFA was reflected by the dietary fatty acid composition. The content of n-3 HUFA in the fish increased with an increase in dietary n-3 HUFA levels. The results indicate that the dietary n-3 HUFA had no effect on the growth of juvenile Iranian sturgeon.     

The effects of dietary HUFA level on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) spawning,egg quality and early larval characteristics

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) reproduction, and egg and larval quality. In the experiment, formulated diets containing 1.8, 2.9 or 3.6% n‐3 HUFA were fed to flame angelfish broodstock (n = 4) for 5 months. Mean fecundity (daily egg production), egg fertilization rates and embryo viability were used as indicators of egg quality. In addition, mean egg diameter, oil globule diameter, per cent hatch, larval size at hatch, per cent survival to yolk exhaustion and larval size at yolk exhaustion were recorded for each treatment. Flame angelfish fed the diet containing 3.6% n‐3 HUFA exhibited significantly increased fecundity, fertilization rates and embryo viability than fish that were fed the other two formulated diets. Egg diameter, egg oil globule diameter, larval size at hatch, larval survival to yolk exhaustion and larval size at yolk exhaustion from the 3.6% n‐3 HUFA broodstock treatment group were not significantly different from those derived from the Control broodstock treatment. These data revealed that flame angelfish egg quality could respond rapidly (within weeks) to maternal dietary changes. Results from this study further support that dietary HUFA composition can significantly affect broodstock reproductive performance as well as subsequent performance of eggs and larvae.     

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。     

Effect of soybean oil and soybean lecithin on intestinal lipid composition and lipid droplet accumulation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) were fed purified diets containing fish oil for six weeks and then soybean lecithin or soybean oil for 25 days. The gastrointestinal tract segments, stomach, midgut and hindgut were then sampled for lipid and fatty acid composition and electron microscopy. Membrane lipid class composition was fairly similar in all three segments of trout fed fish oil. Hindgut contained slightly more phosphatidylserine than stomach and midgut, while midgut contained more phosphatidylcholine and less lysophospatidylcholine/sphingomyelin. Feeding soybean products appeared to marginally decrease free cholesterol. The fatty acid compositions of the main lipid classes showed significant regional differences. In control fish, stomach had higher levels of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids than midgut and hindgut, and lower content of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Midgut phosphatidylethanolamine also had higher levels of saturated fatty acids and less n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than the other tissues. Feeding soybean products decreased the n-3/n-6 ratio mainly due to increases in linoleic (18:2n-6) and 20:4n-6 and decreases in 22:6n-3 and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3). Phosphatidylcholine and to a lesser extent phosphatidylethanolamine adapted more readily to dietary changes by major increases in 18:2n-6 and C₂₀₋₂₂ n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The composition of phosphatidyl-serine and -inositol appeared to be under more strict metabolic control. Linoleic acid hardly increased at all while the increase in other n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids was less pronounced than for the other lipid classes. Regardless of lipid class, stomach resisted dietary changes more strongly than midgut and hindgut. Increases in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were minor as were the loss of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The dead-end product 20:2n-6 accumulated to a higher degree in hindgut phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and -coline compared to midgut and stomach, suggesting that the activity of Δ₆ desaturation is higher in the anterior part of the intestine where most of the lipid is absorbed. Feeding soybean oil caused massive accumulation of free lipid droplets in midgut enterocytes while little lipid droplets were observed in trout fed fish oil or soybean lecithin. Since both soybean products influenced intestinal composition to the same degree, altered fatty acid profiles in membranes is not responsible for the observed lipid accumulation. This supports previous observations in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.), suggesting that fish may require exogenous phospholipids in order to sustain a sufficient rate of lipoprotein synthesis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of dietary highly unsaturated fatty acids and astaxanthin on the fecundity and lipid content of pond-reared Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) broodstock

Five diets that contained fresh squid meat as the basic constituent and were supplemented with different amounts of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and astaxanthin were fed to pond‐reared Penaeus monodon broodstock. Diet A was sole squid meat. Diets B and C were supplemented with astaxanthin 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 respectively. Diets D and E were supplemented with HUFA 5 and 10 g kg^?1 and astaxanthin 50 mg kg^?1 respectively. The result showed that the group fed diet E had the best reproductive performance in all experimental groups. It had a higher proportion of spawns (71.5%), spawning rate (0.047), a shorter latency period (7.7±0.3 d), higher absolute fecundity (× 10³) (361.6±5.5) and egg production/female (× 10³) (597.0±18.0) than all the other experimental groups. The fatty acid composition in broodstock diets strongly affected the tissue and fecundity of broodstock. Good correlations between the content of 20:4n‐6 in eggs and the fecundity (r²=0.6109) and egg production (r²=0.9876) of broodstock were found. On the other hand, 22:6n‐3 and DHA/EPA ratio was negatively correlated with the fecundity of broodstock (r²=0.5362, 0.8702 respectively). The result also showed that the balance between n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acid families, total polyunsaturated fatty acids and total saturated fatty acid and 20:5n‐3 (EPA) and 22:6n‐3 (DHA) may play vital roles in maturation and reproductive performance of P. monodon broodstock.