Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids provided as different lipids sources on the metabolism and morphology of the digestive system of grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Teleostei: Serranidae) larvae

• Grant number: 16/02826-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): August 10, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal researcher: Maria Célia Portella
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique de Mello
• Home Institution: Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/16320-7 - Impacts of climate/environmental change on the fauna: an integrative approach, AP.PFPMCG.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/05290-3 - Reproductive physiology and reproductive control of two new/emerging species under rearing conditions, the meagre (Argyrosomus regius) and the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili): physiological tools applied to aquaculture, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The larval stage is a crucial period in the life cycle of marine fish. The larvae will differentiate until the adult phenotype of the animals by developing tissues and organs. During this period, the lipids are essential and among these, the phospholipids (PL), which are the main components of biological membranes and play important biological functions such as: growth, resistance to stress, as well as a source of fatty acids (FA). Another class of important lipids are triglycerides (TG), which act as source of metabolic energy; essential fatty acids (EFA); membrane synthesis, and as chemical signals. The highly unsaturated FA (HUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4n6) are the most important structural components during organogenesis, such as cell membranes and precursors of the physiological activity of molecules such as eicosanoids. The HUFAs, DHA and EPA are essential and their inclusion in the diets of marine species larvae is of great importance. Some studies report differences in metabolic, morphological and molecular responses when FAs are provided in different molecular form in the diet, for example as TG and/or PL. Thus, we will investigate the metabolic, morphological and molecular responses of grouper Epinephelus marginatus larvae fed with two diets supplemented with FA provided as TG or PL aiming to future applications in the larval rearing of this species. (AU)