ABSTRACT
We evaluated white bass ovum fatty acid composition as well as embryonic and larval survival after varying n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) concentrations in maternal diets. Diets containing graded levels (0, 33, 66, or 100%) of squid to menhaden oils were fed daily to apparent satiation to female white bass for 8 weeks prior to spawning. Embryonic survival was negatively related to maternal squid oil intake (P=0.015, R2=0.970). Squid oil-fed broodstock produced ova with decreased 20:5n-3 and increased C18 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations, largely reflecting the fatty acid profile of squid oil. Within ovum phospholipid, accumulation of 18:2n-6 may have altered biological function resulting in the lower embryonic survival among ova produced from the squid oil-fed broodstock. Our data suggest the importance of feeding white bass broodstock diets high in total n-3 LC-PUFA (at least 4.0% dry matter), and 20:5n-3-rich lipid sources such as menhaden oil can be effectively utilized by female white bass to produce quality ova.
