Semen characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following diets containing different vegetable fatty acid levels

Abstract

Brood fish nutrition is an important factor susceptible to affect not only fecundity and gametogenesis but also gamete quality. In this study, we investigated the effects of altering dietary vegetable fatty acid content on semen quality (i.e. motility, density and seminal plasma composition), fertilizing ability and also blood testosterone (T) concentration in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish were fed a commercial diet and ten formulated diets with similar proximate compositions but different levels of vegetable fatty acids (highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA): monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA); HUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); and HUFA: saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratios). Fish fed with HUFA: MUFA = 0.0 and HUFA: SFA = 0.25 ratios had the highest semen motility percentage and duration. However, the highest semen concentration and semenatocrit were observed in HUFA: SFA = 0.0 and HUFA: PUFA = 0.37 ratios. There was a significant difference in terms of K ion among diets supplemented with HUFA: PUFA = 0.0, HUFA: PUFA = 0.37 and HUFA: MUFA = 0.16 ratios (p < .05). Furthermore, Na ion showed significant difference between control group and diet supplemented with HUFA: PUFA = 0.0 (p < .05). Among the biochemical parameters, total protein showed a significant difference between HUFA: MUFA = 0.16 and HUFA: PUFA = 0.37 ratios (p < .05). No significant differences in fertilization ability and blood T concentration were found among dietary treatments (p > .05). In addition, the present data suggest that dietary fatty acid levels could affect semen quality but not fertilization ability in O. mykiss.

Effects of different dietary lipid resources on sperm quality and reproductive success in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss )

“…Therefore, lipids serve as the main energy resources in the spermatozoa of salmonids and are vital to maintaining sperm viability (Lahnsteiner et al, 1993b, 2009). FA profile of spermatozoa in the present investigation was affected by that of the diet, as reported in previous studies (Hajiahmadian et al, 2016; Köprücü et al, 2015). Palmitic and oleic acids were the main SFA and monoenes, respectively, whereas ARA, EPA and DHA constituted the key PUFAs of spermatozoa in the current investigation.…”

“…Previous studies in broodstock nutrition have predominantly focused on female fish. However, few studies that have used male broodfish demonstrating the need to optimize the dietary needs in both male and female broodfish (Butts et al, 2015; Hajiahmadian et al, 2016). Hence, the current work evaluated the effects of total replacement of dietary FO with SO or LO on sperm quality and reproductive performance in rainbow trout.…”

“…Lipids constitute an important component of sperm of teleost fish (Lahnsteiner et al, 2010) and are the major source of energy for salmonid sperm during immobile storage (Lahnsteiner et al, 1993b). It was documented in recent studies that dietary FAs impacted semen performance and characteristics in European eel (Butts et al, 2015), European sea bass (Astuarino et al, 2001), gilthead sea bream (Lahnsteiner et al, 2010) and rainbow trout (Hajiahmadian et al, 2016;Köprücü et al, 2015). These studies indicate that broodfish nutrition is also very important for determining male reproductive performance, and needs attention.…”

“…Studies in female broodfish have indicated that n‐3 and n‐6 HUFAs influence reproductive success and early developmental stages (Agh et al, 2019; Lazzarotto et al, 2015; Leray et al, 1985; Salze et al, 2005; Sargent et al, 1999). FA profile of sperm is affected by their dietary profile (Bell et al, 1996; Hajiahmadian et al, 2016; Köprücü et al, 2015). Lipids constitute an important component of sperm of teleost fish (Lahnsteiner et al, 2010) and are the major source of energy for salmonid sperm during immobile storage (Lahnsteiner et al, 1993b).…”

Fish sperm motility assessment as a tool for aquaculture research: a historical approach

“…), while in another trial carried out in rainbow trout, fish fed with a properly HUFA/PUFA ratio showed the highest semen motility percentage and duration than other treatments (Hajiahmadian et al . ). In aquarium species such as zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) and guppy ( Poecilia reticulata ), fatty acid composition of broodstock diet also provided an improvement on sperm quality parameters.…”