Effects of dietary levels of PUFA fed to adult yellow perch on the fatty acid composition of eggs and larvae characteristics: New research directions

We reviewed the current state of knowledge regarding the function of lipids and fatty acids in teleost reproduction with an emphasis on freshwater fi sh. Along with this review, we also provide readers with a specifi c case study on the effect of dietary lipids characterized by different fatty acid profi les on the reproduction of yellow perch. The unique nature of this case study stems from the use of a natural diet (fi sh) to feed the yellow perch broodstock over a period of two spawning seasons while monitoring reproductive effi ciency and offspring viability. Furthermore, we were able to characterize the fatty acid profi les of the neutral and phospholipid fraction of egg lipid. We demonstrate signifi cant decreases in the polyunsaturated fatty acids in gonad lipids of both, the neutral and the phospholipid fractions, an effect that was exacerbated during the second spawning season. The yellow perch however, demonstrated considerable resilience in protecting essential fatty acid concentrations in the gonads and no signifi cant effects on offspring viability were found. As a result of this research we propose a unique pathway for the synthesis, deposition and mobilization of wax esters in yellow perch ovaries and eggs/embryos that requires further study and provides a new approach to diet formulation for larval stages of this species.