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Abstract
The inclusion of natural extracts and solution of synthetic astaxanthin in the Macrobrachium amazonicum diet were tested to verify their effect on performance, body indexes and total accumulation of astaxanthin in the reproductive tissues and gametes of this crustacean in comparison with newly captured wild animals. The experiment was randomized in blocks (five treatments with three replicates). Four groups were submitted, during 20 days, to diets in recirculation tanks: control diet (CONT); diet containing natural extract of “buriti” (CAR); diet with inclusion of natural “urucum” extract (BIXN), diet with synthetic astaxanthin (ASTX) and NATURAL group (not fed with ration). 180 prawns were used, with 60 males (6.08±1.96 g) and 120 females (4.55±1.03 g) distributed in five groups containing four males and eight females each. There were no significant differences in performance and body indexes. The number of released spermatozoids, live spermatozoids, body and egg pigmentation was higher in BIXN and ASTX treatments. The ASTX treatment was superior to the NATURAL group in the body pigmentation of females and eggs and release of spermatophores by males. These results demonstrate that the use of natural and artificial carotenoid pigments in the diet are beneficial for reproduction of M. amazonicum.
Highlights
Carotenoids are important food components for the metabolism of crustaceans (Meyers, 2000; Zhao et al, 2019)
The ASTX treatment was superior to the NATURAL group in the body pigmentation of females and eggs and release of spermatophores by males. These results demonstrate that the use of natural and artificial carotenoid pigments in the diet are beneficial for reproduction of M. amazonicum
A total of 180 adult prawns were distributed in five groups containing four males (6.08 ±1.96 g) and eight females (4.55 ± 1.03 g) according to the diet: Group 1 - animals submitted to a control diet without inclusion of pigments (CONT); group 2 - animals submitted to a diet containing natural extract of “buriti” that has beta-carotene as the main pigment (CAR); group 3 - animals submitted to diet with natural “urucum” extract including bixin as the main pigment (BIXN); group 4 - animals submitted to diet with synthetic astaxanthin (ASTX) and group 5 - animals that were not submitted to any diet (NATURAL)
Summary
Carotenoids are important food components for the metabolism of crustaceans (Meyers, 2000; Zhao et al, 2019). These pigments influence the overall development, influencing normal development, productivity, resistance to stress and survival (Niu et al, 2009; Aguirre-Hinojosa et al, 2012). Freshwater prawn genus Macrobrachium demonstrate differences in reproductive performance in response to the use of carotenoid-rich foods in their diet and improved their performance (Tizkar et al, 2014). The Amazon river prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum is one of the most produced species in the northern region of Brazil by artisanal fishing (Marques et al, 2012; Melo et al, 2020). The species has already been introduced for commercial cultivation in several parts of South America (Silva et al, 2017)
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