Dietary DHA and ARA level and ratio affect the occurrence of skeletal anomalies in pikeperch larvae (Sander lucioperca) through a regulation of immunity and stress related gene expression

Several causative factors have been proposed for the occurrence of skeletal anomalies in fish larvae, among which we quote nutritional factors, such as LC-PUFAs. This study aimed to investigate effect different dietary DHA and ARA level ratio on pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval development performance, digestive capacity, fatty acids composition, skeleton molecular markers oxidative stress status (sod, gpx, cat), response (StAR, gr, pparα, hsl pepck), acid synthesis (fadsd6, elovl5), eicosanoids (pla2, cox2, lox5, pge2, lta4h), bone (twist, mef2c, sox9, alp). Pikeperch larvae were fed six microdiets containing two levels (0.5% 3.5%) combined with three (1.2%, 0.6%, 0.3%). Dietary changes did not affect growth performance but significantly influenced enzymatic activities. A significant increase intake increment was recorded. StAR, pla2 expression depressed 2.5% larvae. An opposite elevation recorded gpx expression. Both had a pge2 expressions. Although no interactions found, pparα displayed differential pattern between treatments. strong association found tissue amount eicosanoid metabolism, anomaly related genes. These results denoted effects LC-PUFAs immune/stress gene regulation their potential implication development.