Lipid and fatty acid compositions of muscle from farmed and wild adult turbot

The aim of this study was to compare the total lipid, neutral lipid, phospholipid contents, phospholipid class distribution and fatty acid composition of these lipids in muscle of wild and farmed turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) of similar body size. The results showed that muscle of farmed turbot had a higher lipid content than that of wild turbot (1.06% versus 0.64%) because they contained more neutral lipids (0.52% versus 0.24%) and more phospholipids (0.54% versus 0.40%).Distribution of phospholipid classes in muscle of both wild and farmed turbot was similar with 67–70% phosphatidyl choline, 22–25% phosphatidyl ethanolamine and 4.4–5.2% phosphatidyl inositol plus phosphatidyl serine and 2.4–2.9% sphingomyeline.Compared to wild turbot, all of the lipid classes from farmed turbot contained lower proportions of long chain -3 PUFA and 20:4 -6 and conversely higher proportions of 20:1 and 22:1. The ratio between -3 and -6 polyunsatured fatty acids was higher in all the lipid fractions of wild turbot than in those of farmed fish (8.8 versus 4.2 in total lipids, 11.0 versus 3.3 in neutral lipids, 7.9 versus 4.7 in phospholipids). © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Changes in Lipid and Fatty Acid Compositions of European Oysters Fattened with Skeletonema Costatum Diatom for Six Weeks in Ponds

To improve the condition index of European oysters (Crassostrea gigas), Skeletonema costatum was fed to adult oysters. However, the consequences of this practice on compositional traits of oysters were not investigated. This study deals with the chemical changes in oysters fed with Skeletonema costatum for six weeks in ponds.The results showed that:1. Supplying Skeletonema costatum to oysters for six weeks improved the condition index (from 26 to 56) as a consequence of an increase in glycogen content (from 5.0 to 24.4 g·100 g ^–1 of dry flesh) while lipid content remained steady (9.9 g·100 g^–1 dry flesh).2. Large changes in fatty acid composition of neutral lipids were observed. Some fatty acids of Skeletonema costatum such as 16:1 7 and 20:5 3, were directly accumulated into lipid fractions.3. 16:1 7 was elongated into 18:1 7 showing that oysters are able to elongate 16 carbon mono-unsaturated fatty acids into the corresponding 18 carbon fatty acids.4. Fatty acids typical of Skeletonema costatum (16:4 1, 16:2 4, 16:3 4) were poorly accumulated into neutral lipids and phospholipids of oysters suggesting that oysters discriminate these fatty acids.     

Changes in amino acids and essential fatty acids during early larval rearing of dentex

Samples of fertilized dentex, Dentex dentex, eggs and larvae fed enriched rotifers and Artemia according to standard hatchery procedures were analysed for free, total amino acid and fatty acid contents. Egg free amino acids (53 nmol ind-1) and total lipids (13.5 (g ind-1) levels were considerably reduced in the newly hatched larvae (6.0 nmol and 5.7 (g ind-1 respectively) while the amount of -3 PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acid) and 20:4-6 remained unchanged suggesting their possible role as essential fatty acids (EFA) in this species. In general, the changes in pattern of the major biochemical components during early development of dentex was similar to that outlined for other Sparidae species investigated to date. The essential amino acid profile of enriched live food did not show major imbalances when compared to that of dentex larvae. In contrast, the level of docosahexaenoic acid (22:63, DHA) and the DHA:EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5-3) ratio in larvae given rotifers and Artemia were significantly lower relative to the corresponding values in the unfed larvae.     

Effects of diet on spontaneous locomotor activity and oxygen consumption in Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii)

Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) were maintained on a commercial diet enriched either in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the 3 series (3 LCPUFA) or in saturated fatty acids (SFA). The effects of dietary fatty acid composition on spontaneous locomotor activity in normoxia and hypoxia (O₂ tension = 10.5 ± 0.8 kPa), and on oxygen consumption (M^O ₂) in normoxia, in hypoxia (O₂ tension = 6.6 ± 0.8 kPa) and during recovery were then investigated. The effects of adding supplementary vitamin E to the fat-enriched diets were also studied.Dietary fatty acid composition had effects on spontaneous locomotor activity and M^O ₂ in normoxia. Activity levels were higher in all sturgeon fed extra dietary fats (without vitamin E), when compared with control animals, but fish fed 3 LCPUFA had a significantly lower M^O ₂ than those fed SFA, with intermediate M^O ₂ in controls. In hypoxia, sturgeon 3 LCPUFA did not alter activity or M^O ₂ whereas those fed SFA reduced both and controls reduced M^O ₂. During recovery, both animals fed SFA and controls had a higher M^O ₂ than sturgeon fed 3 LCPUFA. The data indicate that fish fed 3 LCPUFA are more tolerant of hypoxia than controls or those fed SFA, as they did not reduce either activity or M^O ₂, and consumed less O₂ during recovery.Vitamin E supplements modified the effects elicited by dietary fats. All sturgeon fed vitamin E had low activity levels in normoxia and hypoxia. Sturgeon fed vitamin E with 3 LCPUFA had a higher M^O ₂ in normoxia than those fed 3 LCPUFA alone; reduced M^O ₂ in hypoxia, and during recovery increased M^O ₂ to a rate higher than that of animals fed 3 LCPUFA alone. In normoxia, sturgeon fed vitamin E with SFA had a similar M^O ₂ to those fed SFA alone but did not change M^O ₂ in hypoxia or during recovery. Thus, the effects of vitamin E were dependent on fat composition of the diet. Vitamin E with 3 LCPUFA removed the beneficial effects on M^O ₂ and responses to hypoxia obtained with 3 LCPUFA alone, but vitamin E with SFA allowed sturgeon to maintain aerobic metabolism in hypoxia, a more effective response than that observed in fish fed SFA alone.     

Effects of feeding (ω-3) HUFA-enriched Artemia during a progressively increasing period on the larviculture of freshwater prawns

Larvae of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were reared to post-larvae in a closed recirculation system. Six treatments were designed where freshly-hatched Artemia nauplii were first given to the larvae for 3, 7, 11, 15, 17 and 25 days according to the treatment. After that (-3) HUFA-enriched Artemia were given until the 28th day at which time the test was terminated and evaluated. The requirement for (-3) Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA) for the larval stages of M. rosenbergii was confirmed by this experiment. Moreover, the longer the period of feeding on (-3) HUFA-enriched Artemia nauplii, the better the results in terms of growth, metamorphosis rate, survival and stress resistance.     

Effect of Dietary Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamins on Egg Quality in Turbot Broodstocks

Varying egg quality is one of the main factors interfering with the reliable performance of marine fish hatcheries. As larval performance during the first period largely depends on the availability of essential nutrients, the endogenous provision of these nutrients through the egg stages, and possibly parental diet, might be an important tool in improving hatchery output. Therefore, several feeding experiments were conducted on turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) broodstock reared under production conditions at two commercial facilities in France: France Turbot (FT) and Sepia Conseil (SC). Diets varied mainly in essential fatty acids (-3 HUFA), Vitamins C and E, and were fed for 2–3 months prior to the reproductive season. Egg quality parameters, i.e. fertilization and hatching rate, egg and oil droplet diameter, and biochemical composition, were monitored for each female during its total reproductive phase.Egg size during the reproductive cycle showed a low variability among females receiving the same treatment, but became significantly smaller as the season progressed. The same occurred for the oil globule in the non-vitamin supplemented groups, whereas it significantly increased in the vitamin-supplemented groups. However, these observations could not be correlated with any of the hatching or fertilization characteristics. The egg dimensions also varied as a function of the diet supplied, i.e. high HUFA levels in the broodstock diet resulted in a significant increase of egg diameter, oil globule diameter as well as fertilization rate. Interestingly, the control groups, with the lowest fertilization rate, had the highest hatching percentage, significantly higher than the HUFA/non-vitamin enriched groups.Using non-selected sources of trash fish as a food source at SC resulted in low levels of ascorbic acid (AA) in the eggs compared to the administration of an optimal quality batch of mackerel at FT. Enrichment of the trash fish with ascorbate-2–polyphosphate (ApP) resulted in a tripling of the AA content. Extra enrichment of the FT control diet did not further increase the levels in the eggs, suggesting that a saturation level was obtained. The major fatty acids in turbot eggs as well as freshly hatched larva are 16:0, 18:1-9, 20:5-3 and 22:6-3, but no obvious changes in their pattern could be detected for the different broodstock treatments. However, the level of 20:4-6 was significantly higher in the control group of FT, and showed a high correlation with the hatching percentage of the eggs obtained from the various broodstock treatments.     

Influence of Algal Exudates and Bacteria on Growth and Survival of White Shrimp Larvae Fed Entirely on Microencapsulated Diets

Intact microencapsulated protozoeal diets (MED), added to 5 m filtered hatchery water at the recommended concentration of 4 mg L^-1 gave no significant difference in bacterial numbers after 6 h, over a 48 h period compared to control groups in autoclaved hatchery water. Disruption of the MED resulted in a significant increase in bacterial numbers up to 12 h compared to controls with intact microcapsules. Protein leach rates were similar in sterile water and 5 m filtered water, indicating that leaching was independent of microbial activity. MED leached significantly less dietary solubles compared to a microparticulate diet (MPD). There was no evidence to suggest significant attachment of bacteria to diet particles for at least 48 h.In low-quality water after algal blooms, survival of white shrimp (Penaeus indicus) larvae was poor when reared in both sterile and 5 m filtered water. The addition of bacteria filtered from xenic algal cultures together with the algal exudates to such water gave significant improvements in survival to larvae fed MED in 5 m filtered water but not in autoclaved culture water. Live algal diets promote high larval survival and growth irrespective of the inclusion of bacteria.It is suggested that algal exudates act as selective bacteriocides and total replacement of algae with MED requires a balanced bacterial community which can be attained at times from natural sea water, or when the natural bacterial community balance is disturbed, corrected by the use of algal exudates.     

Smoltification induced by a ‘skeleton’ photoperiod in underyearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Underyearling coho salmon fry were subjected to three initial photoperiod treatments (6L18D, 10L14D, 14L10D) for two months and subsequently to three final treatments (16L8D, 9L6D1L8D, 10L14D) in a factorial design. Growth rates and seawater adaptability were monitored regularly. The groups that were exposed initially to 6L18D or 10L14D and then to 16L8D grew faster and had lower plasma sodium ion levels after seawater challenge tests than any of the other groups. Fish which were initially exposed to 6 L or 10 L daylength and then to a 9L6D1L8D skeleton photoperiod, showed a slightly lower growth rate and seawater adaptability than those given the corresponding complete 16L8D photoperiod. However fish maintained on skeleton photoperiods had significantly greater growth rates and seawater adaptability than those kept on the 10L14D photoperiod. This indicates that it is not the accumulated number of hours of exposure to light that initiates smolting, but rather the time during the day when light is experienced. Fish exposed initially to 14L10D showed little or no response to subsequent changes in photoperiod, suggesting that responsiveness to inductive photoperiods depends on the initial photoperiod treatment.     

Steroids and steroid glucuronides in the ovarian fluid of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus,between ovulation and oviposition

As part of a series of experiments concerning a possible pheromonal function of steroids and steroid glucuronides excreted by the sex organs of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, qualitative and quantitative studies, using GCMS, were carried out to examine the presence of the steroids, that can be synthesized by the ovary during oocyte maturation and ovulation, and of the corresponding steroid glucuronides, in the fluid surrounding the eggs in the ovarian cavity shortly after ovulation.Full mass spectra were obtained of 5-pregnane-3,17-diol-20-one, 5-pregnane-3,17,20-triol, 5-pregnane-3,6,17-triol-20-one, 5-pregnane-3,6,17,20-tetrol, 5-androstane-3,17-diol and 5-androstane-3,17-diol-11-one. After selected ion monitoring the following steroids could be detected by the presence of at least two characteristic ions at the expected retention time: 5-pregnane-3, 17,20-triol, etiocholanolone, 5-dihydrotestosterone, 5-androstane-3,11-diol-17-one, testosterone and estradiol. After treatment with -glucuronidase the following steroids could be determined in a similar way: 5-pregnane-3,17-diol-20-one, 5-pregnane-3,17,20-triol, 5-pregnane-3,17,20-triol, 5-pregnane-3,6,17-triol-20-one, 5-pregnane,3,6,17,20-tetrol, 5-androstane-3,17-diol, etiocholanolone, 5-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol.The free steroids 5-pregnane-3,6,17,20-tetrol and 5-pregnane-3,6,17-triol-20-one and the steroid glucuronides of testosterone, 5-dihydrotestosterone and estradiol appeared to be the most abundant of these compounds. The results indicate that very polar steroids and steroid glucuronides, synthesized in the ovary, can be excreted via the ovarian fluid shortly before and during oviposition, and possibly function as sex attractants, inducing reproductive behaviour in male conspecifics.     

Utilization of yolk fatty acids by goldfish embryos and larvae

In each of two separate experiments, eggs from a single female goldfish were fertilized, incubated at 22°C and sampled regularly up to day 6 when the larvae could be expected to commence feeding. Hatching normally occurred on Day 4. Lipids were extracted from the eggs and larvae and the neutral lipid and neutral phospholipids were isolated on aminopropyl columns. Fatty acid analysis of the eggs revealed the typical situation in fish where the phospholipids were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the neutral lipids were rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Assay of lipid masses revealed that little depletion of lipid occurred until after hatch and that the neutral phospholipids were the principal fraction consumed. Although the neutral lipid mass did not change substantially during development, its fatty acid profile did. The proportions of several PUFA in the neutral lipids, especially 226(n–3), 205(n–3) and 204(n–6), increased substantially during development while proportions of MUFA and 182(n–6) declined. This appears to be a mechanism by which the larva can retain essential fatty acid released on hydrolysis of phospholipid while deriving the benefits of catabolism of phospholipid as fuel, namely the provision of phosphate and choline for intermediary metabolism and for the synthesis of macromolecules and neurotransmitter.Abbreviations AA arachidonic acid (204(n–6)) - DHA docosahexaenoic acid (226(n–3)) - EPA eicosapentaenoic acid (205(n–3)) - MUFA monounsaturated fatty acid - PC phosphatidylcholine - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid - SFA saturated fatty acid     

Cryptocaryon irritans Brown 1951, the cause of ‘white spot disease’ in marine fish: an update

Cryptocaryon irritans Brown 1951, a holotrichous ciliate parasite of marine fishes, causes marine white spot disease. In aquaria, C. irritans can cause acute damage and heavy mortalities to marine teleosts. Although first described 60 years ago, only within the last decade has detailed information emerged concerning its life cycle, transmission and pathogenesis. An update of our knowledge of this important aquarium fish parasite is presented here.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Use of egg custard augmented with cod liver oil and Moina micrura on production of freshwater prawn postlarvae

Use of egg custard augmented with cod liver oil (CLO) fed during the day, and of an overnight feed with Moina micrura, were evaluated in terms of its effects on production of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) postlarvae (PL). Four levels of CLO (0, 1,3 and 5%) were tested. Significantly higher mean (sd) productions, ranging from 11.27 (1.16) to 13.02 (1.70) PL l^–1, were obtained for larvae fed egg custard enriched with CLO compared with that of 7.83 (1.58) PLl^–1 for larvae fed egg custard without CLO. The development and survival of larval stages were also higher for the CLO diets. The -3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) in egg custard increased with increasing CLO level (0–5%). The fatty acid composition of postlarvae reflected the composition of the diet.     

The desaturation and elongation of 14C-labelled polyunsaturated fatty acids by pike (Esox lucius L.) in vivo

To examine the ability of pike (Esox lucius L.) to modify exogenous PUFA by desaturation and elongation, ¹⁴C-labelled 18:2(n-6), 18:3(n-3), 20:4(n-6) and 20:5(n-3) were injected intraperitoneally and the distribution of radioactivity in tissue lipid classes and liver PUFA measured. In all tissues examined, radioactivity from all ¹⁴C-PUFA was recovered in many classes of acyl lipids and the level of recovery generally reflected the relative abundance of the lipid classes. Triacylglycerols, CGP and EGP usually contained high levels of all incorporated ¹⁴C-PUFA. PI contained higher levels of radioactivity from ¹⁴C-20:4(n-6) than from other injected substrates. In liver lipid, the 6 desaturation products of ¹⁴C-18:2(n-6) and ¹⁴C-18:3(n-3) contained no measurable radioactivity although the elongation products of the 6 desaturation products were labelled, as were the direct elongation products of these injected substrates. No radioactivity from ¹⁴C-18:2(n-6) or ¹⁴C-18:3(n-3) was detected in C₂₀ or C₂₂ products of 5 and 4 desaturation. Almost all radioactivity from injected ¹⁴C-20:4(n-6) was recovered in this PUFA. Of the total radioactivity from ¹⁴C-20:5(n-3) incorporated into liver lipid, 7% was present as 24:5 and 16.4% was recovered in hexaenoic fatty acids. In liver, 24:5(n-3) and 24:6(n-3) each accounted for 1% of the mass of total fatty acids and were located almost exclusively in triacylglycerols. The presence of radioactivity in these C₂₄ PUFA suggests that in pike the synthesis of 22:6(n-3) from 20:5(n-3) may proceed without 4 desaturase via the pathway which involves chain shortening of 24:6(n-3). It is concluded that under the circumstances employed in this study pike, do not exhibit 5 desaturase activity and are unable to synthesize 20:4(n-6) and 20:5(n-3) from 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3), respectively. This suggests that pike may require 20:4(n-6) and 20:5(n-3) preformed in the diet.Abbreviations CGP choline glycerophospholipids - CL cardiolipin - EGP ethanolamine glycerophospholipids - PG phosphatidylglycerol - PI phosphatidylinositol - PS phosphatidylserine - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acids - SM sphingomyelin - TLC thin-layer chromatography     

The effect of 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine and 17-α-methyltestosterone on growth and body composition of the glass stage of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L)

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of orally administered 3,3,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) or 17--methyltestosterone (MT) on growth and body composition of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) during the glass stage.Elvers receiving 20 or 40 ppm of T₃ in the food weighed significantly more (P < 0.05) than controls. However, after 61 days of treatment a dosage of 60 ppm was not efficacious.Terminal percentages of body protein were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in elvers that received 20 ppm or 40 ppm T₃ in their diets, than in the control. Crude body fat content was higher (P < 0.05) in elvers receiving 20 ppm (29% fat) or 40 ppm (28% fat), than in the controls (26% fat). Compared to the control, diets containing T₃ at 20 or 40 ppm increased the body glucose concentration.Glass eels fed a diet containing 1 or 10 ppm MT grew significantly more slowly (P < 0.05) than the controls.Total body protein content was higher (P < 0.05), but total body crude fat content was lower (P < 0.05) in elvers fed a diet with 1 or 10 ppm MT compared to the controls. Total body glucose concentration of elvers administered 10 ppm MT was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the control groups.     

Antioxidant effect of dietary tocopherol and ascorbic acid on growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae

The nutritional effect of vitamin E in dietsfor Litopenaeus vannamei postlarve (PL19)was investigated. Four formulated diets withdifferent combinations of -tocopherylacetate (-TA), ascorbic acid (AA) andhighly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) weretested, using four replicates.No significant differences in survival wereobserved among treatments after 34 days offeeding. However, shrimp fed with a dietcontaining 2% fish oil (low n-3 HUFA content),200 mg.kg^–1 -TA and100 mg.kg^–1 AA (diet H/E/C) showedsignificantly better growth than those fed adiet supplemented with 5% fish oil (high n-3HUFA content), 200 mg.kg^–1 -TA and100 mg.kg^–1 AA (diet H+/E/C). Shrimp fedwith a diet containing 5% fish oil,900 mg.kg^–1 -TA and100 mg.kg^–1 AA (diet H+/E+/C) showed a significantly higher tissue level of n-6 PUFAthan postlarvae fed diet H+/E/C. No definiteconclusion could be drawn about a possibleinteraction between -TA and AA, since acomparison of the diet containing 5% fish oil,200 mg.kg^–1 -TA and700 mg.kg^–1 AA (H+/E+/C+) and the dietH+/E/C did not show any significant differencesin any of the measured parameters. Theantioxidative status of the shrimp tissue(measured by means of the thiobarbituric acid(TBA) assay and expressed as nM malonaldehyde(MA) per gramme dry weight) was equal for alltreatments. Nevertheless, there was a slightlylower MA value with the diet H+/E/C+,indicating that AA may be an effectiveantioxidant in the aqueous phase and at thewater/lipid interface of the tissue. The tissuelevels of -T and AA were highlydependent on the amounts in diets and nocorrelation between -T and AAincorporation could be observed.     

Effects of dichlorvos and formalin on fatty acid metabolism of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cells in primary culture

The effects of sub-lethal doses of dichlorvos and formalin, antimicrobial/parasitic agents used in aquaculture, on lipid composition and metabolism of rainbow trout skin cells in primary culture were investigated. [1-¹⁴C]Stearic (18:0), [1-¹⁴C]lin 18:2n-6) and [1-¹⁴C]linolenic (18:3n-3) acids were used as tracers to determine effects on fatty acid incorporation and metabolism. Formalin increased cell numbers and reduced the lipid content of the cells and the incorporation of radioactive fatty acids. The effects of dichlorvos were qualitatively similar but quantitatively less. Formalin induced relatively small but significant changes in lipid class composition including a decreased proportion of phosphatidycholine with increased proportions of sphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. Dichlorvos had no significant effect on lipid class compositions. The trout primary skin cells expressed substantial 9, 6 and 5 fatty acyl desaturase activities. Although, as expected, the cells were m active towards [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3, the cells were unusually active towards [1-¹⁴C]18:2n-6. Both dichlorvos and, especially, formalin appeared to significantly inhibit 9 and 6 desaturation. Changes in the distribution of radioactivity between individual spholipid classes was also influenced by formalin and dichlorvos, and this may be related to changes in desaturase activity. This study has shown that topically active agents used in aquaculture, formalin and dichlorvos, had a range of effects on the rainbow trout skin cell cultures that may affect cell proliferation and lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Both agents significantly inhibited desaturation of fatty acids, particularly of 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6 and, as 20:4n-6 is a major eicosanoid precursor ish and considering the importance of eicosanoids in the biochemistry of skin, it is suggested that these agents may have direct effects on fish skin that could have important consequences for fish health in general.     

Changes in the content of total lipid,lipid classes and their fatty acids of developing eggs and unfed larvae of the Senegal sole,Solea senegalensis Kaup

Total lipids, lipid classes and their associated fatty acids were quantified in developing eggs, yolk-sac larvae and starving larvae (from day 1 to day 5 after hatching) of the Senegal sole,Solea senegalensis Kaup. Larvae during early development and starvation consumed about 0.6% of its dry weight per day, mainly due to lipid catabolism. There was a net consumption of approximately 1.7% total lipid per day, and a net energy utilization of 1.3 kcal g^–1 dry weight biomass day^–1, mostly derived from lipid depletion. The overall decrease of total neutral lipids (mainly triacylglycerols and sterol esters) was 3.4 faster than that of total polar lipids (primarily phosphatidylcholine), with rates of 29.2 and 8.7 g mg^–1 dry weight biomass day^–1, respectively. There was a concomitant increase in PE, PS and phosphatidic acid during the period under study. Total saturated and total monounsaturated fatty acids were catabolized (primarily 160 and 161 (n-7)) as energy substrates at rates of 7.4 and 10.9 g mg^–1 total lipid day^–1, whereas total PUFAs were conserved. DHA was specifically retained in PE, whereas EPA and DHA were catabolized in PC and triacylglycerol. Total DMA and AA contents in total lipid increased during early development and starvation. The data denote a pattern of lipid metabolism during early development of Senegal sole similar to that of other marine larval fish, with eggs containing high amounts of total lipids (presence of oil globule/s), from temperate waters and with short developmental periods; the pattern contrasts with fish larvae from eggs of cold water fish species that contain low levels of total lipids (lack of oil globule/s) and have long developmental periods.Abbreviations AA all-cis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid, 204(n-6)) - C free cholesterol - DHA all-cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (226(n-3)) - DMA dimethyl acetal - EPA all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (205(n-3)) - HUFA highly unsaturated fatty acids (C₂₀ with 3 double bonds) - PC phosphatidylcholine - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - PI phosphatidylinositol - PS phosphatidylserine - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid(s) - SE sterol ester - TAG triacylglycerol     

Influence of lipid composition of live feed on growth,survival and pigmentation of turbot larvae

The effect of different lipid compositions of live feed on the survival, growth rate and pigmentation success of turbot larvae, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), was investigated. Rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis, together with the algae Tetraselmis sp., were administered until day 12, and Artemia was fed until day 27. The experimentally treated live feeds were enriched with four formulated emulsions, resulting in a gradient in the relative contents of 3 HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids) and in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6 3)/EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5 3) ratios in both the rotifers and Artemia.There were no differences in larval growth rate, and only small differences in survival rate throughout the feeding experiment, probably because of satisfactory levels of 3 HUFA in the live feed to sustain growth and survival. A correlation was obtained between the percentage of completely pigmented 27 d old turbot and the DHA/EPA ratio in the total lipids of 12 d old larvae, which again was correlated with the corresponding ratio in the live feed used. The results suggest that normal pigmentation in turbot requires dietary DHA in the early larval feeding period, and that this requirement cannot be replaced by EPA.     

Fatty acids and egg quality in great scallop

Spawners of the great scallop, Pecten moximus, were conditioned on three microalgal diets: T-Isochrysis, a mixture of four species (PTSC) and Chaetoceros calcitrans.The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of neutral and polar lipids of eggs was related to the fatty acid composition of the diet. However, the 20 and 22 carbon PUFAs were maintained at significant levels independent of those of the diet when these fatty acids were present in the diet at low levels. This effect was more pronounced in the polar than in the neutral lipids. A preferential incorporation of 22:6(-3) and 20:4(-6) was demonstrated in the polar lipids. This emphasizes their role in ovogenesis and embryogenesis.The 22:6(-3) requirement of P. maximus was better satisfied by T-Isochrysis, which favoured the highest incorporation of this essential fatty acid in the eggs. The good success in reproduction obtained with this monospecies diet led us to modify multispecies diets by increasing the level of 22:6(-3).     

Fatty acid compositions of the major phosphoglycerides from fish neural tissues; (n−3) and (n−6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and cod (Gadus morhua) brains and retinas

The fatty acid compositions of brain phosphoglycerides from a freshwater fish, the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and a marine fish, the cod (Gadus morhua), were determined and compared with those from a terrestrial mammal, the rat. Fish brain lipids were characterized by a higher degree of unsaturation encompassing increased percentages of (n–3)PUFA (226 and 205) and lower percentages of (n–6)PUFA (204 and 224). However the distribution of fatty acids and specific PUFA between different phosphoglycerides was essentially similar in rat and fish brain tissue. PE and PS contained the highest percentages of 226(n–3), PI was characterized by higher 180 and 204(n–6)/205(n–3), and PC had higher 160 and the lowest percentage of PUFA in all species. A generally similar pattern was found in the fish retinal phosphoglycerides except that PC was also rich in 226(n–3). Overall trout brain phosphoglycerides were slightly more unsaturated than the cod lipids but with lower (n–3)/(n–6) ratios whereas cod retinal lipids were more unsaturated than the trout retinal lipids.