Fatty acid profiles during gametogenesis in sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus): Effects of dietary inputs on gonad, egg and embryo profiles

Abstract

The effects of dietary fatty acids on the composition of Paracentrotus lividus gonads were investigated to determine whether dietary inputs affect their relative abundance during gametogenesis. Egg and embryo FA compositions were compared with that of mature gonads to understand how maternal FA are transferred to the offspring. Urchins were fed an experimental pellet diet in comparison to brown kelp (Laminaria digitata). FA profiles of diets, gonads, eggs and embryos revealed the presence in gonads of FA that were absent in the diets and/or higher contents of some long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). Moreover, some unusual FA, such as non-methylene interrupted (NMI), were found in gonads, eggs and embryos, but not in the diets, suggesting that P. lividus may be capable of synthesizing these FA and accumulating them in the eggs. A description of gonad FA profiles during gametogenesis is reported for the first time and data suggest that eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids are accumulated during gametogenesis, while arachidonic acid is highly regulated and is the only LC-PUFA clearly accumulated into the eggs along with NMI. Further studies are required to determine if maternal provisioning of FA has the potential to influence sea urchin production outputs and increase hatchery profitability.