Future aquafeeds may compromise reproductive fitness in a marine invertebrate.
Aquaculture of higher trophic level species is increasingly dependent on the use of terrestrial oil products. The input of terrestrially derived n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into marine environments has subsequently increased, with unknown consequences for recipient species. We exposed a sea urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma to three experimental diets for 78 days: a high n-3 PUFA marine imitation treatment, a high n-6 PUFA "future aquafeed" treatment and an intermediate "current aquafeed" treatment. Female urchins fed the high n-6 PUFA diet produced larvae with lower survival rates than all other treatments. Males fed the high n-6 PUFA diet produced no viable sperm. Fatty acid composition in reproductive material revealed comprehensive biosynthetic and dietary sparing capabilities in H. erythrogramma. Despite this, the ratio of n-6 PUFA to n-3 PUFA in reproductive tissue increased significantly with diet. We suggest alterations to this ratio is the likely mechanism of negative impact on larval development.
Sustainable Aquaculture Laboratory - Temperate and Tropical, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia; Oceans and Atmosphere, Food Nutrition and Bio-based Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia. Electronic address: camille.white@utas.edu.au.
Camille A
CA
White
National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia.
Symon A
SA
Dworjanyn
Oceans and Atmosphere, Food Nutrition and Bio-based Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
Peter D
PD
Nichols
National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia.
Benjamin
B
Mos
Sustainable Aquaculture Laboratory - Temperate and Tropical, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
Tim
T
Dempster
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005260:Female; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
ARA; Aquaculture; EPA; Effects – biochemical; Fatty acid; Food quality; Heliocidaris erythrogramma; Larvae; n-3 PUFA; n-6 PUFA