Reproduction of Hatchery-Reared Pike-Perch (Sander lucioperca) Fed Diet with Low-Marine-Ingredients: Role of Dietary Fatty Acids

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the reproductive potential of hatchery-reared (F1) pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) broodstock fed a commercial diet with low levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Lc-PUFA) and wild (F0) pike-perch broodstock fed forage fish. Reproductive parameters, including pseudogonadosomatic index (PGSI), egg size, latency time, hatching rate, embryo survival, and eggs’ fatty acid (FA) composition, as well as plasma sex hormone, glucose and immunoglobulin levels after hormone injection, were analyzed. The results showed low PGSI (10% in F1 vs. 14% in F0) and embryo survival (24% in F1 vs. 61% in F0) in F1 broodstock, but a satisfactory hatching rate (63% in F1 vs. 78% in F0) and larval size (4.6 mm in F1 vs. 4.7 mm in F0). A low arachidonic acid (ARA) percentage in F1 fish eggs (1.32%), along with increased immunoglobulin levels (17.31 g/L), suggests that immune system activation might have depleted the reserves of ARA in F1 fish, which is the key fatty acid for successful oocyte maturation. We assumed that the administration of more sustainable diets, based on terrestrial plant ingredients, is not inferior to higher-quality diets based on marine ingredients.