Arachidonic Acid Effects on Reproductive Performance, Fry Quality and PGE 2 Level in Silverside Chirostoma estor

Abstract

Introduction: Arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) is the precursor of prostaglandins type 2, such as PGE2 and PGF2α, which modulate reproduction, ovulation and spawning in vertebrates [1]. In a previous study we proposed that low ARA levels in spawns of cultured silverside Chirostoma estor (2% vs 8% in wild, total fatty acids) could be associated to poor spawn quality [2]. The silverside (C. estor) is a freshwater endemic fish from Patzcuaro Lake in Michoacan, Mexico. Aquaculture development has been implemented partially to replenish wildstock; however, there is limited knowledge about its reproductive physiology. In the present study, silverside broodstock was fed with adult artemia (Artemia franciscana) enriched with ARA (3%, 4% and 7%, total fatty acids) during 10 weeks in order to evaluate dietary ARA effects upon reproductive performance, spawn quality, PGE2 level and fatty acid composition in gonads