Complete replacement of dietary fish oil with a vegetable oil blend affect liver lipid and plasma lipoprotein levels in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

To study how hepatic lipid turnover and lipid transport may be affected by complete replacement of dietary fish oil (FO) with a vegetable oil blend (VO) from start feeding until the adult stages, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed either 100% FO‐ or 100% VO‐based diets (55% rapeseed oil, 30% palm oil and 15% linseed oil) from start feeding until 22 months. Liver and plasma lipoprotein lipid class levels and lipoprotein fatty acid composition were analysed through the seawater phase, whereas liver fatty acid composition, plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG) and protein levels were analysed through both freshwater and seawater stages. Further, enzyme activity of liver fatty acid synthetase (FAS), NADH‐isocitrate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and expression of the gene Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was analysed during both fresh water and seawater stages through the experiment. Dietary VO significantly increased salmon liver TAG and hence total liver lipid stores after 14 and 22 months of feeding. Further, after 22 months of feeding, plasma lipid levels and plasma low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly decreased in VO‐fed salmon compared with FO‐fed fish. The same trend, although not statistically significant, was seen for plasma very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL). The activity of FAS was generally low throughout the experiment with the VO group having significantly lower activity after 16 months of feeding. The expression of PPARγ in livers increased prior to seawater transfer followed by a decrease, and then another increase towards the final sampling (22 months). Dietary vegetable oil replacement had no impact on PPARγ expression in salmon liver. In summary, liver TAG stores, plasma lipid and LDL levels were affected by dietary vegetable oil replacement in Atlantic salmon during a long–term feeding experiment. Current results indicate that high dietary vegetable oil inclusion increase hepatic TAG stores and decrease plasma lipid levels possible through decreased VLDL synthesis.     

Alternative vegetable lipid sources in diets for grouper, Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton): effects on growth, and muscle and liver fatty acid composition

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different oils on growth performance and lipid metabolism of the grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Five experimental fish meal‐based isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated containing either 5.5%‐added fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SBO), corn oil (CO), sunflower oil (SFO) or peanut oil (PO). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial body weight 13.2±0.02 g) grown in seawater at 28.0–30.5 °C for 8 weeks. Fish were fed twice a day to visual satiety. No significant differences in the survival, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio or hepatosomatic index were found between fish fed the FO or vegetable oils (VO) diets. Dietary lipid sources did not affect whole‐body composition among grouper fed the various diets. Muscle of fish fed the FO diet had significantly higher levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n‐7, 20:5n‐3[eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)] and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)+EPA (except for PO fed fish) compared with those of fish fed VO diets. However, the levels of 18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6 and DHA/EPA ratios in the muscle of fish fed FO diet were significantly lower than those of fish fed the VO diets. The liver of fish fed the FO diet had significantly higher levels of 18:0, 20:5n‐3, 22:6n‐3, n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids and DHA+EPA than those of fish fed the VO diets, whereas increases in 18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6 and mono‐unsaturated fatty acid levels were observed in the liver of fish fed the VO diets.     

Effect of dietary fish meal and fish oil replacement on lipogenic and lipoprotein lipase activities and plasma insulin in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The effects of a double replacement of fish oil (FO) and fish meal (FM) by dietary vegetable ingredients in juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L. 1758) on some indices of lipid metabolism and plasma insulin levels were analysed. Four experimental diets with a replacement of 75% of FM by plant proteins (PP) were administered. Added oil was either FO (75PP/FO diet), or a vegetable oil mix (VO), replacing 33%, 66% or 100% of FO (75PP/33VO, 75PP/66VO, 75PP/100VO diets). Another diet with 50% of substitution of FM by PP and with 100% of VO was also tested (50PP/100VO diet). Final body weight was similar in all diet groups, except for the 75PP/100VO group, which presented lower values. Circulating insulin levels increased with feed administration in all groups and no differences between diets were observed, with the exception of the 75PP/FO group, which presented higher plasma insulin values. In adipose tissue, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activities decreased with the inclusion of vegetable oil, especially 5 h after feeding. Diet had no significant effect on the hepatic activity of either enzyme. Lipoprotein lipase activity decreased in white muscle and adipose tissue with the replacement of fish oil in 75PP diets, 5 h after feeding. In conclusion, the use of a combined replacement of fish oil and fish meal by vegetable ingredients in gilthead sea bream permits satisfactory growth, with moderate changes in tissue lipogenesis and lipid uptake.     

Effects of dietary lipid sources on growth performance,lipid metabolism and antioxidant status of juvenile Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were used to test the influence of lipid source on growth performance, antioxidant status and lipid metabolism of juvenile Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Each diet was supplemented with 90 g kg^?1 of lipid from each of six sources including fish oil (FO), beef tallow (BT), sunflower oil (SO), linseed oil (LO) and equal combinations of FO + SO + BT (FSB) or LO + SO + BT (LSB). After 56 days, fish fed LSB demonstrated highest weight gain, specific growth rate and lowest hepatosomatic index among all groups. The n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the whole fish were highest in the SO group, and n‐3 PUFAs were highest in fish fed LO. The fish fed FO contained highest n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. Triglyceride in the serum of fish fed LSB was lowest, but was not significantly different from that in the SO group. Triglyceride in the serum of fish fed FO and BT was highest among all groups. Lipase, malate dehydrogenase and lipoprotein lipase activities were highest in fish fed LSB. Serum malondialdehyde in fish fed LSB was significantly lower than in fish fed FO or SO, but no significant differences were found among fish fed LSB, BT, LO or FSB. Fish fed LSB showed higher catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity than fish fed FO or FSB. This study indicates that linseed, sunflower oil and BT mixed oil are a suitable lipid source and can benefit growth performance and antioxidation in juvenile sturgeon.     

Fish proteins not lipids are the major nutrients limiting the use of vegetable ingredients in catfish nutrition

The objective of this study was to determine the major nutrient limiting growth and lipid metabolism in African catfish fed diets composed of vegetable ingredients. Four diets were formulated from contrasted meal (fish meal: FM; vegetable meal: VM) and oil (fish oil: FO; vegetable oil: VO) sources. Replacement of FO by VO did not affect specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency, whereas lower values were recorded in the case of FM replacement. LC‐PUFAs muscle contents were higher in fish fed control FMFO diet than in fish fed vegetable ingredients. However, the decrease in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentration in FMVO group was limited compared to VM groups despite the same low DHA level in those three diets. These results may suggest an activation of LC‐PUFA biosynthesis from PUFA precursors brought with vegetable oils in FMVO group. This hypothesize is reinforced by the significant stimulation of elovl5 gene expression in liver and intestine from fish fed FMVO. Therefore, this study demonstrated that African catfish is able to bioconvert LC‐PUFAs at a significant biological level when FO is replaced by VO whereas the use of plant proteins has strong detrimental effects on growth performances.     

Effects of dietary lipid level and vegetable oil on fatty acid metabolism in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) over the whole production cycle

Changes in fatty acid metabolism in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) induced by vegetable oil (VO) replacement of fish oil (FO) and high dietary oil in aquaculture diets can have negative impacts on the nutritional quality of the product for the human consumer, including altered flesh fatty acid composition and lipid content. A dietary trial was designed to investigate the twin problems of FO replacement and high energy diets in salmon throughout the entire production cycle. Salmon were grown from first feeding to around 2 kg on diets in which FO was completely replaced by a 1:1 blend of linseed and rapeseed oils at low (14–17%) and high (25–35%) dietary oil levels. This paper reports specifically on the influence of diet on various aspects of fatty acid metabolism. Fatty acid compositions of liver, intestinal tissue and gill were altered by the diets with increased proportions of C₁₈ polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreased proportions of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in fish fed VO compared to fish fed FO. HUFA synthesis in hepatocytes and enterocytes was significantly higher in fish fed VO, whereas β-oxidation was unaltered by either dietary oil content or type. Over the entire production cycle, HUFA synthesis in hepatocytes showed a decreasing trend with age interrupted by a large peak in activity at seawater transfer. Gill cell prostaglandin (PG) production showed a possible seasonal trend, with peak activities in winter and low activities in summer and at seawater transfer. PG production in seawater was lower in fish fed the high oil diets with the lowest PG production generally observed in fish fed high VO. The changes in fatty acid metabolism induced by high dietary oil and VO replacement contribute to altered flesh lipid content and fatty acid compositions, and so merit continued investigation to minimize any negative impacts that sustainable, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective aquaculture diets could have in the future. Abbreviations: FO - fish oil; HUFA - highly unsaturated fatty acids acids (carbon chain length ≥C ₂₀ with ≥3 double bonds); LO - linseed oil; RO - rapeseed oil; VO - vegetable oil. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of replacing dietary fish oil and squid liver oil with vegetable oils on the growth,tissue fatty acid profile and total carotenoids of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the complete substitution of either fish oil (FO) or squid liver oil (SLO) with crude palm oil (CPO), canola oil (CO) sunflower oil (SFO) or linseed oil (LO), as the sole added lipid source in diets fed to triplicate groups of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (initial weight = 0.42 ± 0.01 g) for 6 weeks. Prawns fed the CO or SLO diets showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) specific growth rate than those fed the FO or CPO diets. The feed conversion ratio of the prawns was significantly better when fed the CO diet, compared with the FO, CPO, SFO and LO diets. The muscle eicosapentaenoic acid content of prawns fed the vegetable oil (VO) diets were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those fed the FO diet, although all VO‐based diets led to a significantly lower docosahexaenoic acid content compared with prawns fed the FO or SLO diet. The whole‐body total carotenoid content was significantly lower for prawns fed the SLO diet compared with prawns on the CO or CPO diets. The successful use of VO instead of marine‐based oils in prawn diets will likely reduce feeding costs associated with M. rosenbergii aquaculture.     

Effects of fish oil replacement by vegetable oil blend on digestive enzymes and tissue histomorphology of European sea bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>) juveniles

The impact of replacing circa 70 % fish oil (FO) by a vegetable oil (VO) blend (rapeseed, linseed, palm oils; 20:50:30) in diets for European sea bass juveniles (IBW 96 ± 0.8 g) was evaluated in terms of activities of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and total alkaline proteases) in the anterior (AI) and posterior (PI) intestine and tissue morphology (pyloric caeca—PC, AI, PI, distal intestine—DI and liver). For that purpose, fish were fed the experimental diets for 36 days and then liver and intestine were sampled at 2, 6 and 24 h after the last meal. Alkaline protease characterization was also done in AI and PI at 6 h post-feeding. Dietary VO promoted higher alkaline phosphatase activity at 2 h post-feeding in the AI and at all sampling points in the PI. Total alkaline protease activity was higher at 6 h post-feeding in the PI of fish fed the FO diet. Identical number of bands was observed in zymograms of alkaline proteases of fish fed both diets. No alterations in the histomorphology of PC, AI, PI or DI were noticed in fish fed the VO diets, while in the liver a tendency towards increased hepatocyte vacuolization due to lipid accumulation was observed. Overall, and with the exception of a higher intestine alkaline phosphatase activity, 70 % FO replacement by a VO blend in diets for European sea bass resulted in no distinctive alterations on the postprandial pattern of digestive enzyme activities and intestine histomorphology.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources on growth performance,body composition and lipid metabolism‐related enzymes and genes of juvenile golden pompano,Trachinotus ovatus

Three groups of juvenile golden pompano, Trachinotus ovatus (54.75 ± 0.25 g), were each fed one of three diets containing different lipid sources: fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SO) and lard oil (LO). Fish were reared in sea cages for 8 weeks, and the fish fed the FO diet had significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) but lower condition factor (CF) than the other treatments. The fatty acid (FA) composition of whole‐body lipids was closely correlated with those in the diets. Although no differences can be found in hepatic fatty acid synthase (fasn) activity, the carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (cpt1) activity in fish fed the FO diet was significantly higher compared with other treatments. In addition, the relative gene expression of lipid metabolism‐related enzymes, such as cpt1, fas, apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100), delta‐6 fatty acyl desaturase (fadsd6) and fatty acid‐binding protein 1 (fabp1), was also influenced by the different dietary lipid sources. Serum triglyceride (TG) and glucose content in fish fed the LO and FO diets were significantly higher than those in the SO group. Accordingly, it can be concluded that FO could not be completely replaced by SO or LO in golden pompano diets. The lipid sources of a diet could impose significant influence on body condition factor and hepatic lipid metabolism of golden pompano.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement by microalgae raw materials on growth performance,body composition and fatty acid profile of juvenile olive flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

Replacing dietary fish oil with DHA‐rich microalgae Schizochytrium sp. and EPA‐rich microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) was examined. Three experimental isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with lipid source provided by 50% fish oil (F50S50), 50% (M50F25S25) and 100% microalgae raw material (M100) respectively were compared with a soybean oil (S100) diet as control. Triplicate groups of olive flounder juveniles (16.5 ± 0.91 g) were fed the experimental diets, and a group was fed the control diets for 8 weeks in a recirculation system. Results showed feed efficiency and growth performance were not significantly changed when fish oil (FO) was totally substituted by soybean oil (SO) or microalgae raw material (MRM). The whole‐body composition, lipid content of liver and muscle, and lipid composition of plasma were not significantly influenced by the total substitution of FO by MRM. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content of muscle and liver declined in fish fed S100 diet, whereas it was not significantly reduced in fish fed M50F25S25 and M100 diets. The total substitution of FO by MRM not only maintained the levels of arachidonic acid, EPA or DHA but also increased n‐3/n‐6 ratio. In conclusion, MRM as the sole lipid source is sufficient to obtain good feed efficiency, growth performance and human health value in olive flounder juveniles.     

Replacement of fish oil with vegetable oil blends in feeds for greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) juveniles: Effect on growth performance,feed efficiency,tissue fatty acid composition and flesh nutritional value

This study was undertaken to assess the effects of fish oil (FO) substitution by a mixture of alternative vegetable oils (VO) on Seriola dumerili culture performance. A 154‐day feeding experiment was conducted using juveniles (39.2 ± 1.6 g average weight). Three isolipidic and isoenergetic meal‐based diets were formulated varying their lipid component. The control diet contained 100% FO (FO100), whereas diets VO50 and VO100 included 1/2 of oil blend and all the oil from blend of palm oil (PO) and linseed oil (LO) as substitute for FO, respectively. Dietary regime did not significantly affect growth performance, biometric indices, feed efficiency, plasma chemistry and liver and muscle lipid contents. Nonetheless, dietary VO inclusion impacted on the fatty acid profile of target tissues, especially in the liver. Fatty acid profiles of the fillets reflected those of the dietary oils except that there was apparent selective utilization of palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n‐9) and apparent selective retention of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n‐3). The nutritional value and the potential ability to prevent the development of coronary heart diseases of the flesh lipid fraction decreased with gradual FO substitution.     

Effects of total fish oil replacement to vegetable oils at two dietary lipid levels on the growth,body composition,haemato‐immunological and serum biochemical parameters in caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, 1877)

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of two dietary fat levels [low fat (LF) (10%), high fat (HF) (20%)] and sources [fish oil (FO), vegetable oil (VO)] on the growth and some physiological parameters of Caspian brown trout fingerlings for 60 days. Tuna oil or blends of canola and soybean oils (85:15) were added to diets to design four feeds namely LFFO, HFFO, LFVO and HFVO according to the fat levels and sources. The fish fed the LFFO diet had lower weight gain than the other fish (P<0.05). The total n‐6 fatty acids increased in fish fed diets with the blends of VO, while the total n‐3 fatty acids decreased in these fish (P<0.05). Serum lysozyme activity was higher in fish fed the HFVO diet than the other fish (P<0.05). Serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride and very low‐density lipoprotein were lower in fish fed LFFO than the other fish (P<0.05). The present study demonstrates that in terms of fish growth, VOs can be used as an alternate source of dietary fat, whereas fish health and nutritional value are improved with the LFFO diet. According to these results, a partial substitution of FO by VO in high‐level fat diets is suggested for long‐term feeding of Caspian brown trout.     

Dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFAs affect lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) activities and mRNA expression during vitellogenesis and ovarian fatty acid composition of female silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) broodstock

We studied the effects of dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFAs on the activities and mRNA expression levels of tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) during vitellogenesis and ovarian fatty acid composition in female silver pomfret broodstock. Broodstock were fed one of four experimental diets for 185 days: FO (100% fish oil), FSO (70% fish oil + 30% soybean oil), SFO (30% fish oil + 70% soybean oil) or SO (100% soybean oil). The results revealed that hepatic LPL and FAS and ovarian FAS activities and mRNA expression levels significantly increased at vitellogenesis and postvitellogenesis relative to previtellogenesis, with no significant differences between these two stages, except for hepatic LPL mRNA expression. Dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFAs decreased tissue FAS and increased LPL activities and mRNA expression levels. The ovarian concentrations of 20:4n‐6 (ARA), 20:5n‐3 (EPA), 22:6n‐3 (DHA) and n‐3 LC‐PUFAs were directly influenced by n‐3 LC‐PUFA levels. Total n‐3 LC‐PUFA concentrations in SO were 57% lower than those in FO, while 18:2n‐6 concentrations in SO were 4.7 ×  higher than those in FO. These results revealed that high dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFAs levels significantly affected tissue lipid metabolism in female silver pomfret broodstock during vitellogenesis by upregulating LPL and downregulating FAS.     

Effects of dietary fish oil substitution with blending vegetable oils on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activities and tissue fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacement of fish oil (FO) with blending vegetable oils (VOs) on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities and fatty acid composition in tissue of swimming crab Portunustrituberculatus. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain VOs (colza oil: palm oil: linseed oil = 4:2:1) to replace 0 (the control diet), 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/kg of FO (defined D0, D25, D50, D75, D100). Three hundred juvenile swimming crabs (initial weight 2.34 ± 0.08 g) were randomly stocked and sorted into 300 individual rectangle plastic baskets in three cement pools. Each treatment has three replicates, one replicate has 20 swimming crabs, and each diet fed 60 crabs distributed in 60 baskets. The results indicated that crabs fed the control diet showed significantly higher survival, final body weight, per cent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate and moulting frequency, crude protein and crude lipid contents in muscles than those fed the D75 and D100 VO diets (p < .05). Crabs fed the D25 VO diet showed significantly higher concentration of triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and total protein, activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in haemolymph than those fed the control diet (p < .05). Fatty acid composition in hepatopancreas was positively correlated with dietary composition. In summary, based on the PWG, the optimal replacement of FO with VOs was estimated to be 250 g/kg. These findings demonstrated that swimming crabs make better use of FO than VOs.     

Dietary lipid level and source affect metabolic responses in hybrid catfish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus)

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dietary lipid source [linseed oil (LO, rich in 18:3 n?3); corn oil (CO, rich in 18:2 n?6); olive oil (OO, rich in 18:1n?9); and fish oil (FO, rich in LC‐PUFA)] and level (9% L and 18% L) on growth, body composition and selected plasma biochemistry parameters in hybrid catfish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus) juveniles. Moreover, liver histology (lipids, glycogen, cell vacuolization) and key metabolic enzyme activities were also evaluated. After 8 weeks of feeding, there were no differences in growth performance and whole‐body composition between groups. Plasma lipoprotein, muscle and liver composition, and G6PD and ME activity were affected by lipid level and source. No differences were observed between groups in hepatic ALT activity; however, AST activity was lower in fish fed the 9% L diets. Overall, liver and muscle fatty acid composition reflected that of diet FA composition, with increased n3/n6 ratio, high HUFA and low MUFA in fish fed FO compared with the VO diets. Higher liver glycogen content was observed in fish fed the 18% L than the 9% L diets, except for fish fed FO diet. Considering the experimental diets used, these results indicate that hybrid catfish can efficiently utilize VO supplementation as an energy source, without affecting growth performance and fillet composition.     

Effects of oxidized fish oil intake on tissue lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Recent studies in terrestrial animals have shown that feeding the oxidized lipids led to a reduction in triacylglycerols (TAG) and total cholesterol (TC) in liver and plasma. However, limited information is available on the effect of oxidized lipids on lipid metabolism in fish. In this study, four diets containing 0 g kg^?1 (control: fresh fish oil), 30 g kg^?1 (low‐oxidized oil, LOO), 60 g kg^?1 (medium‐oxidized oil, MOO) and 90 g kg^?1 (high‐oxidized oil, HOO) graded oxidized oil levels with the same dietary lipid level were fed to channel catfish for 86 days. The tissue lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of the fish were investigated after this period. The results showed that plasma and liver concentrations of TAG and TC decreased with increasing dietary oxidized oil level (P < 0.05). Decreasing liver lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities were observed with increasing dietary oxidized fish oil inclusion (P < 0.05). The liver C22:6n?3 concentrations significantly decreased with increasing dietary oxidized oil level (P < 0.05), while muscle lipid had a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It suggests that the adverse effects of dietary oxidized oil may be induced by inhibiting lipid metabolism enzymes and, consequently, inhibition of cholesterol homoeostasis and fatty acid synthesis.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement with blended vegetable oils on growth,lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of subadult swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

A 120‐day trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary fish oil replacement with vegetable oils on growth, lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of subadult swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to replace 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000g/kg of fish oil with a mixture of soybean and rapeseed oil (defined as D1–D5), and each treatment had 30 replicate crabs. Dietary fish oil replacement had no significant effects on growth of the crabs, while the D3 had the highest hepatosomatic index and total lipids in hepatopancreas. The triglyceride and lipase activities in hepatopancreas increased significantly with increasing dietary fish oil replacement. The D4 had the highest levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the hepatopancreas, as well as the haemolymph ALP, ACP and peroxidase. The highest levels of haemolymph total antioxidant capacity, catalase and malondialdehyde were detected in D1. Total n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels in hepatopancreas decreased significantly with increasing dietary fish oil replacement. In conclusion, dietary fish oil replacement had no significant effects on growth of P. trituberculatus, and 500g/kg of fish oil replacement could improve antioxidant capacity, but excessive replacement level will enhance lipid accumulation and peroxidation in the hepatopancreas.     

Effect of fish oil replacement and probiotic addition on growth,body composition and histological parameters of yellowtail (Seriola dumerili)

Fish (175 g of initial weight) were fed in triplicated groups with four diets formulated by 0% (FO 100), 75% (FO 25) and 100% (with and without probiotics, FO 0 and FO 0+) of fish oil replacement consisting of a mixture of linseed, sunflower and palm oils. After 109 days, growth and nutritional parameters were not affected by the treatment; however, fish fed with 0% of fish oil showed the lowest survival rate and without differences between the same diet with probiotics. As for biometric parameters, significant differences in the viscerosomatic index (VSI) were observed between fish fed the FO 0+ diet and the FO 100 and FO 25 diets. Results obtained from histological analysis did not detect inflammation in gut samples, while liver samples showed a remarkable steatosis in all four treatments. Total fish oil replacement produced a significant difference in the width of the lamina propria. The dietary inclusion of probiotics in the FO 0+ diet seems to favour a recovery of intestine histology. In addition, as fish oil substitution increased, the width of the lamina propria also increased. In conclusion, it is possible to affirm that the four diets administrated to Seriola dumerili did not compromise the correct development of the animals.     

Effect of dietary echium oil on growth, fatty acid composition and metabolism, gill prostaglandin production and macrophage activity in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Echium oil (EO) is a vegetable oil in which percentages of stearidonic acid (STA, 18:4n‐3) often exceed those of its n‐6 series equivalent γ‐linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n‐6). Stearidonic acid is elongated to 20:4n‐3 in fish cell cultures, suggesting that EO could be included in diets for marine fish to increase tissue 20:4n‐3 and 20:3n‐6 and, thereby, modulate eicosanoid metabolism. Thus, the present study aimed to test the hypotheses that dietary EO would increase tissue 20:4n‐3 and 20:3n‐6 and modulate immune function and eicosanoid production in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) fed a diet where fish oil (FO) was replaced by EO. Duplicate groups of juvenile cod (initial weight ca. 4 g) were fed for 18 weeks on fish meal‐based diets (55% protein and 16% lipid) that differed in oil source (FO or EO). There were no significant differences in growth and feed efficiency, hepato‐somatic index, percentages of liver and flesh lipids and lipid class compositions for cod fed FO and EO. Percentages of 18:4n‐3, 18:3n‐6 and 20:3n‐6 in the total lipids of flesh and liver were higher, and percentages of 20:5n‐3 and 20:4n‐6 were both lower in fish fed EO than in those given FO. In flesh, the increased 18:3n‐6 and 18:4n‐3 were primarily located in phosphatidylcholine and, to a lesser extent, phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas 20:3n‐6 concentration was highest in phosphatidylinositol. Desaturation of 18:3n‐3 (to tetraene products) and 20:5n‐3 to 22:6n‐3 in hepatocytes was very low but was increased by dietary EO. Echium oil significantly decreased the production of prostaglandin F from gill cells stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187, and reduced head kidney macrophage activity, but had no effect on serum lysozyme activity or basic haematology. In conclusion, dietary EO may have beneficial effects on some immune parameters including eicosanoid metabolism in marine fish although this may be primarily because of decreased 20:4n‐6 rather than increasing tissue levels of 20:3n‐6 or 20:4n‐3.