牙鲆幼鱼对EPA和DHA的营养需求

研究了EPA和DHA水平对牙鲆生长的影响,饲料中含0.5%EPA和1.0%～1.5%DHA能保证牙鲆幼鱼最适生长,鱼体水分最低,肝体指数最小,脂肪含量有较大幅度提高,肝脏极性脂中EPA和DHA达到最大积累;在肝脏和肌肉的非极性脂部分,各组间的脂肪酸组成没有显著变化,而极性脂部分能体现出饲料中n-3 HUFA含量对鱼体脂肪酸组成的影响,极性脂中的EPA和DHA含量远高于非极性脂;在肌肉和肝脏的极性脂和非极性脂中都含有较高的16:0和18:1n-9; 18:1n-9/n-3HUFA可以作为必需脂肪酸满足程度的一个判据,18:1n-9值的升高往往是缺乏必需脂肪酸的表现,在生长最佳时18:1n-9/n-3HUFA比值下降,为0.62和0.74.     

真鲷幼鱼的EPA,DHA需求量研究

通过向真鲷幼鱼饵料中分别添加０．２％、０．５％和１％的ＥＰＡ、ＤＨＡ以及两种混合脂肪酸,以豆油为基础脂肪源研究真鲷幼鱼的ＥＰＡ、ＤＨＡ的需求量。结果表明,饵料中缺乏ＥＰＡ、ＤＨＡ时,真鲷幼鱼生长缓慢,成活率仅达６５％,随着ＥＰＡ在饵料中的添加,幼鱼的成活率与增重率都有所增加。     

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。     

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。     

亚麻籽油替代鱼油对大菱鲆幼鱼生长、脂肪酸组成及脂肪沉积的影响

为研究亚麻籽油替代不同鱼油水平对大菱鲆幼鱼[初始体质量为(5.89±0.02)g]生长、脂肪酸组成以及肝脏和肌肉脂肪沉积的影响,以亚麻籽油分别替代0、33.3%、66.7%和100%鱼油,配制4种等氮等脂饲料。每组饲料随机投喂3组实验鱼,饱食投喂,养殖周期为92 d。结果发现,饲料亚麻籽油水平并未显著影响大菱鲆幼鱼存活率(SR)和特定生长率(SGR),但显著影响其摄食率(FI)、饲料效率(FE)和表观净蛋白利用率(ANPU)。随饲料亚麻籽油水平升高,FI显著升高,而FE和ANPU显著下降,且其均在100%亚麻籽油组分别达到最大值或最小值。饲料亚麻籽油水平并未显著影响大菱鲆饲料脂肪表观消化率、肝体比和肌肉脂肪含量。当饲料中亚麻籽油替代100%鱼油,鱼体肝脏脂肪含量显著高于全鱼油组。肝脏和肌肉脂肪酸组成与饲料脂肪酸组成相似。相对于全鱼油组,亚麻籽油替代组肌肉和肝脏中亚油酸和亚麻酸显著升高,而EPA和DHA含量显著下降。研究表明,大菱鲆饲料中亚麻籽油替代水平应低于66.7%,且大菱鲆饲料中n-3长链多不饱和脂肪酸含量需大于0.8%。     

大黄鱼鱼种阶段脂肪酸组成研究

对人工培育的90-180日龄的大黄鱼鱼种,用GC/MS法分析比较了其肌肉和肝脏的脂肪酸组成,肌肉和肝脏分别检出脂肪酸25种和42种.试验结果表明,7-10月,肌肉中的脂肪不断积累,而肝脏中则保持相对恒定,且是肌肉的1.7～3倍;2种组织中均以C16∶0(棕榈酸)含量最高,其次为C18∶1(油酸);肝脏中脂肪酸以饱和脂肪酸(SFA)为主,SFA的平均含量是多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的4倍,而肌肉中的SFA平均含量则与PUFA基本相当;花生四烯酸(AA)、二十碳五烯酸(EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)及亚油酸(C18∶2)等n-3和n-6系列的PUFA在肌肉中含量更高;大黄鱼鱼种首先利用肌肉组织中以C16∶0为主的十八碳以下的SFA作为能量来源,而不轻易动用肝脏贮藏的能量.通过与幼鱼和成鱼比较可知,随着鱼体的成长,其脂肪酸种类不断丰富,组成也更趋合理.     

微囊饲料(microencapsulated diet)在鮸鱼Miichthys miiuy(Busilewsky)反季节育苗中的应用试验

在鮸鱼的早繁育苗过程中(6～7月份),用商品微囊饵料和自制饵料,部分或全部替代轮虫、卤虫和桡足类等活饵料,观察其仔稚幼鱼生长速度、成活率和摄食率。结果表明,1、仔鱼阶段全部生物饵料组的鮸鱼仔鱼成活率最高(40.0%),50%配合饵料组次之(31.0%),100%配合饵料组最低(12.5%),生长速度和摄食率没明显差异;2、稚幼鱼阶段的三组饱食率和摄食率没差异,生长速度以50%配合饵料组略快于全部生物饵料组和100%配合饵料组,存活率也以50%配合饵料组最高,生物饵料组其次,100%配合饵料组最低。研究认为,商品配合饵料可作为鮸鱼在春夏季育苗中因生物饵料缺乏时良好的替代品,并对鮸鱼仔稚幼鱼生长发育有良好的营养作用。     

中华鲟幼鱼饵料生物及人工饲料的蛋白质和脂肪酸营养价值评价

分析了中华鲟幼鱼4种饵料(3种饵料生物:斑尾刺虾虎鱼、安氏白虾、河蚬和1种人工饲料)及2组中华鲟幼鱼(野生和人工养殖)肌肉的一般营养成分、氨基酸和脂肪酸组成.通过计算4种饵料分别相对2组中华鲟幼鱼肌肉的必需氨基酸比率比值(a/A)和必需氨基酸指数(EAAI),评价4种饵料的蛋白质营养价值;通过分析4种饵料和2组中华鲟幼鱼的脂肪酸组成和含量,评价4种饵料的脂肪酸营养价值.结果表明:斑尾刺虾虎鱼、安氏白虾、河蚬、人工饲料、野生和人工养殖中华鲟幼鱼肌肉的粗蛋白含量分别为80.57%、67.84%、51.88%、54.20%、91.83%、83.40%.以野生中华鲟幼鱼蛋白为参比,斑尾刺虾虎鱼、安氏白虾、河蚬、人工饲料的EAAl分别为0.938、0.913、0.918、0.956;以人工养殖中华鲟幼鱼肌肉蛋白为参比,EAAI分别为0.940、0.913、0.915、0.953,说明4种饵料相对2组中华鲟幼鱼而言均是优质蛋白源,基本能满足中华鲟幼鱼的蛋白需求.通过比较4种饵料的脂肪酸组成和含量发现,中华鲟幼鱼3种饵料生物中含n-3 puFA较多,能为中华鲟幼鱼的入海洄游提供丰富的n-3puFA营养,而人工饲料中含n-3 puFA较少,不能满足用于放流的人工养殖中华鲟幼鱼对n-3 puFA的营养需求.综合来看,不同饵料的营养成分不同,天然饵料生物的粗蛋白、氨基酸和重要脂肪酸的含量较多,故在研制和开发中华鲟幼鱼的饵料时,应根据其天然饵料生物的营养组成情况,适当地添加其所需的氨基酸和脂肪酸来满足其生长、存活和洄游的营养需求.     

野生与人工养殖牙鲆亲鱼不同组织脂肪酸的比较

为研究脂肪酸对牙鲆繁育性能的影响, 采用生物化学方法, 对野生和养殖牙鲆亲鱼肌肉、肝脏及卵中脂肪酸组成分别进行测定。结果表明: (1) 牙鲆肌肉、肝脏和卵中脂肪含量大小关系为肝脏>卵>肌肉。野生亲鱼肌肉和卵中脂肪含量显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 肝脏脂肪含量与养殖亲鱼无显著差异; (2) 牙鲆亲鱼3种组织中均检测出21种脂肪酸。野生亲鱼肌肉中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)与养殖亲鱼无显著差异, 单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05)。肝脏和卵中SFA显著高于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), MUFA与养殖亲鱼无显著差异; (3) 野生亲鱼肌肉、肝脏和卵中高不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的含量, 尤其是肝脏和卵中C20:5n-3(EPA)、C22:6n-3(DHA)的含量均显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 但肌肉和卵中的C20:4n-6(ARA)含量明显高于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05); (4) 野生牙鲆亲鱼肌肉、肝脏和卵中n-3/n-6 PUFA及EPA/ARA显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 肝脏中DHA/EPA显著高于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 但野生亲鱼肌肉和卵中的DHA/EPA与养殖亲鱼无显著差异。比较结果说明, DHA、EPA和ARA等PUFA是与牙鲆繁殖性能密切相关的重要脂肪酸。在牙鲆亲鱼养殖过程中, 除了提供牙鲆亲鱼足够的脂肪酸营养外, 也应注意各种脂肪酸, 尤其是PUFA中各种脂肪酸之间的添加比例, 从而保证亲鱼的繁殖性能及卵和仔鱼的质量。     

Lipids of arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus (L.) I. Dietary induced changes in lipid class and fatty acid composition

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) were fed either a commercial diet or six experimental test diets containing coconut oil and different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at a level of 1% by dry weight. Best growth rates were observed with the commercial diet, worst with diet containing coconut oil with no PUFA. An increase in hepatic lipid, hepatic sterol esters and muscular moisture content, and a decrease in muscular lipid was generally found in fish fed the test diets compared to those maintained on the commercial diet.Phosphatidylcholine was the dominant polar lipid (PL) class in all tissues examined. Extensive modification of dietary saturated fatty acids into 18:1 (n-9) was observed in tissue triacylglycerols (TAG) of fish fed test diets. No changes occurred with the commercial diet.Dietary PUFA were essentially incorporated unchanged into tissue TAG of all fish in the present study. PUFA composition of hepatic phospholipids was significantly influenced by that contained in the diets. However both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) in the test diets were extensively elongated and desaturated prior to incorporation into PL. The (n-9) PUFA content was always higher in liver of fish fed the test diets. When 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) were supplied together, the level of (n-3) PUFA exceeded those of (n-6) PUFA. Muscle PL were less influenced by diet than liver. In muscle (n-3) PUFA were always the predominant PUFA irrespective of diet. Only low amounts of (n-9) PUFA were found. It is suggested that (n-3) PUFA are the prime essential fatty acids for Arctic charr, and that they are used in preference to (n-6) PUFA for elongation, desaturation and incorporation into PL. The results suggest that the quantitative requirement of Arctic charr for EFA is may be higher than that of other salmonids.     

Quality of eggs and spermatozoa of rainbow trout fed an n-3 essential fatty acid-deficient diet and its effects on the lipid and fatty acid components of eggs, semen and livers

ABSTRACT: The effect of an n-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) -deficient diet on spawning and on the lipid and fatty acid contents of eggs, semen and livers of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was investigated. Fish were split into two groups and fed either of two diets for a period of 4 months prior to the start of the spawning season. The control group was fed a commercial diet, containing n-3 EFA, whereas the experimental group was fed an n-3 EFA-deficient diet. Fish were 3 years old at the time of spawning. Eggs and semen were stripped off five females and five males from each diet group and cross-fertilized. Two of the five males fed the deficient diet showed a lower sperm motility, resulting in slightly lower mean hatching rates when crossed with eggs of either group. Higher lipid contents in the EFA-deficient diet were reflected in the egg and semen lipid contents, whereas the lipid contents of male livers of both diet groups were higher than those of female livers. In livers and eggs, the main polar lipid was phosphatidylcholine accompanied by phosphatidylethanolamine in sperm polar lipids. The non-polar lipids of eggs were mainly triacylglycerols but in livers and semen, free fatty acids and free sterols were more abundant. Essential fatty acids, namely n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids and linolenic acid, were generally lower in eggs, semen and livers sampled from the EFA-deficient diet group. These results indicate that the fertilization, eyed and hatching rates obtained from crossings with males fed the EFA-deficient diet were slightly lower because of the dietary effect on sperm motility. Moreover, lipids of eggs, semen and livers of male and female rainbow trout were influenced greatly by their dietary availability.     

Essentiality of Dietary n-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Juvenile Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

This study was conducted to confirm the essentiality of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) and to investigate the effects of dietary lipid sources on growth performance, liver, and blood chemistry in juvenile Japanese flounder. Three replicate groups of fish (average weighing 3.0 g) were fed experimental diets containing lauric acid ethyl ester, soybean oil, soybean and linseed oils mixture, and squid liver oil as lipid sources for 13 wk. No significant difference was observed in survival among all groups ( P >0.05). Weight gain, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the squid liver oil diet containing high n-3 HUFA level were significantly higher than those of fish fed the other diets ( P 0.05). Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids of liver polar and neutral lipid fractions in fish fed the diet containing lauric acid tended to increase compared to those of the other groups. Fish fed the diets containing soybean and/or linseed oils, which contained high contents of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, respectively, showed the highest contents of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 in both lipid fractions of the liver ( P 0.05). Significantly higher content of n-3 HUFA was observed in both lipid fractions of the liver from fish fed the diet containing squid liver oil than for fish fed the other diets ( P 0.05). Total cholesterol, glucose, and glutamic-oxaloacetic acid transaminase in plasma were significantly affected by dietary lipids ( P 0.05). Histologically, the liver of fish fed the diet containing squid liver oil had a clear distinction between nuclear and cytoplasm membranes; however, cytoplasm of fish fed the diets containing lauric acid and soybean oil was shrunken, and the hepatic cell outline was indistinguishable. It is concluded that the dietary n-3 HUFA is essential for normal growth, and that the dietary lipid sources affect growth performance, liver cell property, and blood chemistry in juvenile Japanese flounder.     

Requirement of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles: growth and fatty acid composition

European sea bass juveniles (14.4±0.1 g mean weight) were fed diets containing different levels of fish oil then of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) for 12 weeks. The fish performance as well as fatty acid (FA) composition of neutral and polar lipids from whole body after 7 and 12 weeks feeding were studied. The requirements of juvenile sea bass for n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) were studied by feeding fish diets containing six different levels of n-3 HUFA ranging from 0.2% to 1.9% of the diet, with approximately the same DHA/EPA ratio (1.5:1).

The growth rate at the end of the trial showed significant differences. Fish fed low dietary n-3 HUFA (0.2% DM of the diet) showed significantly lower growth than the diet 3 (0.7%), then no further improvement (P>0.05) of growth performance was seen by elevating the n-3 HUFA level in the diet up to 1.9% (diet 6). No difference in feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio or protein retention was observed among treatments, nor in protein and total lipid content. However, the n-3 HUFA levels in diets highly influenced fish fatty acid composition in neutral lipid, while polar lipid composition was less affected. Comparison of polar lipid content after 7 or 12 weeks indicated that DHA remained stable at the requirement level, while arachidonic acid decreased with time. Results of this experiment suggest that the requirement for growth of n-3 HUFA of juvenile sea bass of 14 g weight is at least 0.7% of the dry diet.     

The conversion of linoleic acid and linolenic acid to longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by Tilapia (Oreochromis) nilotica in vivo

Tilapia (Oreochromis) nilotica were fed either a commercial diet containing 2.2% (n-3) and 0.5% (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), or a diet containing 1.0% methyl linoleate as the only PUFA. The fatty acid composition of tissue lipids generally reflected that of the diet. Fish from both dietary groups were injected intraperitoneally with ¹⁴C-labelled linoleic acid, 18:2 (n-6), or linolenic acid, 18:3 (n-3), and the distribution of radioactivity in tissue lipids examined. The conversion of both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) to longer chain PUFA was lower in fish fed the commercial diet than in those fed the diet containing only 18:2 (n-6). Half of the radioactivity from both substrates recovered in liver polar lipids was present in C20 and C22 PUFA with fish maintained on the experimental diet. It is concluded that T. nilotica is capable of elongating and desaturating both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3), but that this conversion is suppressed by dietary longer chain PUFA. NERC Unit of Aquatic Biochemistry     

Effects of essential fatty acid-deficient diets on growth, mortality, tissue histopathology and fatty acid compositions in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Three diets in which the lipid component was supplied either as fish oil (FO), linseed oil (LO) or olive oil (OO) were fed to duplicate groups of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) of initial weight 1.2 g for a period of up to 12 weeks. The latter two diets resulted in a significant reduction in specific growth rate and an increased mortality compared to the FO (control) fed fish. A liver histopathology was evident in around half of the fish fed the LO and OO diets but was absent in fish fed FO. The lesion showed indications of cellular alterations consisting of foci of densely basophilic cells but without evidence of inflammatory activity. The total lipid fatty acid composition of the carcass from fish fed LO had increased percentages of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, but decreased percentages of all other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including the physiologically important 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, compared to fish fed FO. Almost 2/3 of the total fatty acids in the carcass of OO-fed fish were monounsaturated while the percentages of total saturated fatty acids and all other PUFA, except 18:2n-6, were significantly reduced compared to fish fed FO. Broadly similar effects on total lipid fatty acid composition were observed in liver. In the liver glycerophospholipid classes of fish fed LO, percentages of 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3 and 20:3n-3 were significantly increased whereas all C20 and C22 PUFA, with the exception of 20:5n-3 in PI, were significantly reduced compared to fish fed FO. The liver glycerophospholipids of fish fed OO all showed significantly increased total monounsaturates, 18:2n-6, 20:2n-6, 18:2n-9 and 20:2n-9 as well as reduced percentages of 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3, compared to fish fed FO. The brain glycerophospholipids showed broadly similar changes in response to dietary treatment although the magnitude of fatty acid alterations was less than those observed in liver. The greater mortalities in the OO-fed fish compared to the LO-fed fish suggests that incorporation of 18:3n-3 into tissue phospholipids can offset losses of long-chain PUFA more effectively than incorporation of 18:1n-9. However, levels of dietary long-chain PUFA must be optimised to allow normal growth and development. We conclude that the very low flux through the fatty acid desaturase/elongase pathways in turbot is not up-regulated by diets deficient in 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3.     

Effects of diets rich in linoleic (18:2n - 6) and α-linolenic (18:3n - 3) acids on the growth,lipid class and fatty acid compositions and eicosanoid production in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

Three practical-type diets utilizing fishmeal and casein as the protein sources and containing fish oil (FO), safflower oil (SO) or linseed oil (LO) were fed to duplicate groups of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) of initial weight 1.2 g for a period of 12 weeks. No differences in final weight, mortality or development of pathological lesions were evident either between duplicate tanks or between dietary treatments over this period. Fish fed diets containing SO and LO contained significantly greater amounts of liver triacylglycerol compared to fish fed FO. The major C₁₈ polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in SO and LO diets, 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3) respectively, were readily incorporated into both total lipid and individual phospholipids of turbot tissues. There was no accumulation of the Δ6-desaturation products of these fatty acids, namely 18:3(n-6) and 18:4(n-3), in any of the tissues examined. The products of elongation of 18:2(n-6) and and 18:3(n-3), 20:2(n-6) and 20:3(n-3) respectively, accumulated in both total lipid and phospholipids with the highest levels of 20:2(n-6) in liver PC and 20:3(n-3) in liver PE. Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA, 20:5(n-3)] levels exceeded those of arachidonic acid [AA, 20:4(n-6)] in phosphatidylinositol (PI) from liver and gill of fish fed LO. EPA levels in liver PI from fish fed LO were 3-fold and 2-fold greater than SO-fed and FO-fed fish, respectively. Fish fed diets containing SO and LO had significantly reduced levels of AA in liver and muscle total lipid and lower AA in individual phospholipid classes of liver and gill compared to FO-fed fish. The concentration of thromboxane B₂ was significantly reduced in plasma and isolated gill cells stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 of fish fed SO and LO compared to those fed FO. Prostaglandin E produced by isolated gill cells stimulated with A23187 was significantly reduced in fish fed both SO and LO compared to fish fed FO.     

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.     

Estimation of the Dietary Lipid Requirement Level of the White Crayfish Procambarus acutus acutus

Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing graded levels of lipid (menhaden fish oil) were fed to juvenile white crayfish ( Procambarus acutus acutus ) over a 10 week period. A significant depression in weight gain was observed in crayfish fed diets containing 9% or more lipid. There were no significant differences in growth of crayfish fed diets containing 0 to 6% lipid. Whole-body percentages of lipid and dry matter decreased, and protein increased in crayfish fed high-lipid diets. Dietary lipid did not appear to influence survival or molting frequency. Whole-body lipids generally reflected dietary fatty acid composition.