Selective utilization of fatty acids by Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensisGray, 1835) during gonadal development and first year juvenile growth

Abstract

Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of essential fatty acids by Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis during gonadal development and juvenile growth stages. Muscles and eggs from stages II to V control-bred broodfish were sampled to analyze whether fatty acids were transferred from the muscle to the gonads. Fatty acids in the muscles of broodstock females were relatively stable from stages II to IV, whereas the total PUFA content, as well as the ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA and DHA/EPA in stage V gonads were significantly higher than in the corresponding muscle tissue. Naturally spawned eggs collected from the Yangtze spawning area were hatched and cultured in the same environment and with the same feeding strategy as the closed-cycle controll-bred eggs and juveniles. However, the relative content of C18:1n-9 and C22:6n-3 in the naturally spawned eggs was significantly higher. Naturally spawned juvenile n-3 PUFA was also significantly higher than in control-bred juveniles. These findings illustrated that PUFA, especially the DHA, EPA and ARA, are of great absorption and utilization in gonadal development and juvenile growth of Chinese sturgeon.