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This study investigated the effects of two source carotenoids on the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this experiment, six diets containing concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg carotenoid kg-1 of synthetic astaxanthin and β-carotene were added to a basic carp diet, while one group of fish was fed a control diet (no added carotenoids). Fiberglass tanks were used for the study, which was performed from January to April of 2013. During the breeding period, the hepatosomatic (HSI) and gonadosomatic (GSI) indices were examined monthly, along with the total carotenoid levels in the ovaries and livers of female goldfish broodstock. A significant positive correlation was observed between total carotenoids in both the liver and ovary tissues and GSI after 90 and 120 days of the experiment. The HSI was not affected by the carotenoid-enriched diets. However, the carotenoid-enriched diets resulted in greater accumulation of carotenoids in the gonads. β-carotene-enriched diets (B150) led to greater accumulation of carotenoids in the liver after 90 days. Lastly, we found that diets containing higher levels of astaxanthin and β-carotene improve the GSI in goldfish broodstock. Efecto de la astaxantina y β-caroteno en la dieta, sobre los índices gonadosomático y hepatosomático, composición de la gónada e hígado en reproductores de carpa dorada Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) RESUMEN. Este estudio investiga el efecto de dos fuentes de carotenoides sobre el índice hepatosomático (HSI) y el índice gonadosomático (GSI) de la carpa dorada (Carassius auratus). En este experimento, se adicionaron seis dietas conteniendo concentraciones de 50, 100 y 150 mg carotenoide kg-1 de astaxantina sintética y β-caroteno a una dieta de carpa, mientras a otro grupo de peces se le suministró una dieta control (sin carotenoides). Se utilizaron estanques de fibra de vidrio de enero a abril 2013. Durante el periodo experimental, el HSI y el GSI se examinaron mensualmente junto con la concentración de carotenoides totales en ovario e hígado de hembras. Una correlación positiva significativa se encontró entre el total de carotenoides aportados en la dieta y el hígado, ovario y el GSI después de 90 y 120 días de experimento. El HSI no fue afectado por las dietas enriquecidas con carotenoides. Sin embargo, las dietas con carotenoides mostraron un mayor acumulación de carotenoides en las gónadas. La dieta con β-carotenos (B150) presentó una mayor acumulación de carotenoides ____________________ Corresponding editor: Enrique Dupré 364 Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research en el hígado después de 90 días. Finalmente, se encontró que las dietas que contenían el nivel más alto de astaxantina y β-caroteno mejoraron el GSI en los reproductores de carpa dorada.

Abstract:In recent years, the use of new scientific techniques has effectively improved aquaculture production processes. Astaxanthin has various properties in aquaculture and its antioxidant benefits have been closely related to stress resistance; besides, it is an essential factor for growth in many crustaceans and fish. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance of prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) fed diets containing different amounts of astaxanthin (AX) to the shock and stress of different physicochemical environments. A 70-day trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a source of astaxanthin (Carophyll Pink, 10% astaxanthin, w/w, Hoffman-La Roche, Switzerland) at various levels in the diet of M. nipponense juveniles. Four dry diets were prepared: AX 0 without astaxanthin, AX 50 with 50mg/kg, AX 100 with 100mg/kg, and AX 150 with 150mg/kg astaxanthin. The feeding trial was conducted in a recirculation water system consisting of 12 fiberglass tanks (1 000L) used for holding prawns. Three replicate aquaria were initially stocked with 36org/ m 2 per tank. During the trial, prawns were maintained on a 12:12-h light:dark photoperiod with an ordinary incandescent lamp, and the water quality parameters were maintained as follows: water temperature, 25-26°C; salinity, 1g/L; pH, 8.5-8.8; dissolved oxygen, 6.0-6.5mg/L; and ammonia-nitrogen, 0.05mg/L. Incorporation of AX, production output, and physiological condition were recorded after 10 weeks of feeding. At the end of the growing period, the prawns were exposed to thermal shock (0°C), ammonia (0.75mg/L), and reduced oxygen (0.5mg/L). The time to lethargy and the time to complete death of the prawns were recorded. The results showed that control prawns had the shortest time to lethargy and death compared with prawns subjected to the other treatments. The results of this study have shown that the amount of muscle tissue and gill carotenoids in prawn fed with an AX 150 diet showed greater reduction than those exposed to other treatments. It is possible that higher levels of astaxanthin in the body under oxygen reduction stress can be beneficial for prawns. These results suggest that male prawns showed lethargy earlier than females, and the percentage of carotenoid reduction in muscle and gill tissues was higher in males. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (4): 1331-1341. Epub 2014 December 01.

Carotenoids have a proven and positive impact on fish reproduction success. It is believed that highly pigmented eggs reflect the level of carotenoid content and this, in turn, has an effect on the viability of the eggs. Kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, a species endemic to the south Caspian Sea, display different egg colours (yellow, orange or green) during the spawning season. In this study, we investigated the percentage of adult female kutum with the different egg colours, analysing the carotenoid content for each egg colour and the fertilisation rate for each egg colour in female migratory kutum in the Shirud and Tajan Rivers within the province of Mazandaran, Iran. The average of egg-carotenoid content of kutum in the Shirud River (6.63 ± 0.28 µg.g −1 ) was less than those for fish in the Tajan River (7.91 ± 0.27 µg.g, indicating a spatial variation in egg-carotenoid content of the fish. The orange and yellow eggs had more carotenoid than green eggs. Additionally, larger fish had a higher concentration of carotenoid compared with their smaller counterparts. The fertilisation of orange and yellow eggs was somewhat associated with egg-carotenoid content.

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