Effect of arachidonic acid levels in broodstock diet on larval and egg quality of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (AA) in broodstock of Japanese flounder on subsequent egg and larval quality. Diets with similar proximate composition and n-3 HUFA level, but with different AA levels (0.1%, 0.6% and 1.2% of diet), were fed to the broodstock from 3 months before and during the spawning season. Spawning was observed from March to May. Total egg production over the spawning season was highest in fish fed the 0.6% AA diet and lowest in fish fed the 1.2% AA diet. All parameters measured as egg quality (percentage of buoyant eggs, hatching rate, larval survival and normality of larvae.) were highest in fish fed the 0.6% AA diet. AA content in eggs proportionally increased with the dietary AA level. EPA content of polar lipids of eggs had a negative correlation with the AA level in diets whereas the DHA content was independent of dietary AA. The results of this study indicate that a supplement of AA at 0.6 g/100 g diet improved the reproductive performance of Japanese flounder, but a higher level of AA (1.2 g/100 g diet) negatively affected both egg and larval quality due to a potential inhibitory effect on EPA bioconversion.