A factorial experimental design for investigation of effects of dietary lipid content and pro- and antioxidants on lipid composition in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) tissues and lipoproteins

Sixteen groups of post smolt, Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) (initial weight 148 ± 17 g) were fed diets with different lipid content and composition of pro- and antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, astaxanthin, Fe, Cu and Mn). The composition of the experimental diets was based on a multivariate reduced factorial design (RFD) (2^7–3) with either high (+1) or low (–1) level (within limits of toxicity and requirement) of each of the seven dietary variables. Lipid class and fatty acid (FA) composition was analysed in retina, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Further FA composition was analysed in fillet, liver and plasma. High dietary lipid increased growth, feed efficiency, fillet lipid level and the amount of LDL and HDL in plasma, whereas high dietary copper and high dietary vitamin E decreased the amount of plasma LDL. High dietary vitamin E decreased the amount of lipid and protein in LDL, whereas high dietary lipid increased cholesterol and cholesterol ester levels in plasma and HDL and the amount of lipid in LDL. Dietary astaxanthin and manganese affected retina PE levels. The FA composition did not differ significantly between the 16 diets. Dietary FA composition was reflected in fillet FA composition and gradually less in VLDL, LDL, HDL, plasma, liver and retina FA composition. Dietary lipid content influenced FA composition to some extent in the analysed tissues, i.e. generally high dietary lipid content led to a decreased relative amount of saturated and monoene fatty acids and an increase of the relative amount of polyene fatty acids.