The effect of diet on the fatty acid composition and liver histology of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.)) larvae

Abstract

The present study was an attempt to determine the effect various types of diets had on growth, survival, and the content of fatty acids (FA) in pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), larvae. During larval development (from day 5 to day 47 post-hatch), the fish were fed two commercial feeds – Bio Kyowa (BK group) and Aglo Norse (AN group) – and Artemia nauplii (A group). A separate group was comprised of larvae which developed under natural conditions (Z group). The results obtained show that the composition of fatty acids of both commercial feeds and Artemia nauplii satisfied the nutritional requirements of pikeperch larvae during their development, which was indicated by high survival and satisfactory growth rates (survival – 50.8-54.4%; final body weight – 0.481-0.575 g; total length – 37.85-48.31 mm). The A group larvae had a two-fold higher content of C 18:1 acid in comparison to the fish in the BK and AN groups. In the A group, polyunsaturated fatty acids comprised 26.07% of total FA content, while in the BK, AN, and Z groups it was 40%. Based on histological observations, it was found that the larvae fed the AN diet had the greatest capacity of hepatocytes and the greatest relative capacity of cytoplasm occupied by lipids.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Dr hab. Teresa Ostaszewska, Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego, Wydział Nauk o Zwierzętach, Pracownia Ichtiobiologii i Rybactwa, ul. Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warszawa, Tel. +48 (22) 8530937;
e-mail: ostaszewska@alpha.sggw.waw.pl