Effect of Dietary Arachidonic Acid on the Broodstock Productive Performance and Egg Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans)

Abstract

The influence of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) on the reproductive performance of broodstock fish is a critical area of aquaculture research. This study investigates the impact of ARA levels in broodstock diets on broodstock hormone, fecundity, egg quality, and larval survival of largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans). Experimental diets containing 0.9%, 2.0%, and 3.6% ARA as a percentage of total fatty acids (TFAs) were formulated and administered to broodstock over 84 days. Results indicated that a dietary ARA level of 3.6% significantly increased vitellogenin content in broodstock serum while reducing serum estradiol levels. Despite this hormonal shift, reproductive performance metrics, including fecundity, egg hatch rates, and the number of viable eggs until mouth opening, were not significantly affected by the ARA content in the broodstock diet. However, the 3.6% ARA group showed notable improvements in egg size and higher concentrations of ARA and docosahexaenoic acid in the eggs. Based on these results, 0.9% ARA in TFA content in broodstock diet could be sufficient for the reproduction of largemouth bass. A level of 3.6% ARA of TFAs can be added to the diet of largemouth bass broodstock to enhance offspring potential growth performance and healthy status.