THE ROLE OF DIETARY N-3 FATTY-ACID AND VITAMIN-E SUPPLEMENTS IN GROWTH OF STURGEON (ACIPENSER-NACCARII)

1. Changes in tissue (muscle and liver) lipid composition, obtained in sturgeon by supplementing n-3 fatty acids and vitamin E to a nutritionally complete basal diet, were associated with changes in growth and feed conversion. 2. Linseed oil supplements caused an increased tissue level of linolenic acid and an inhibition of growth and feed conversion. 3. Supplements containing fish oil with or without vitamin E had a positive effect on accumulation of n-3 fatty acids in phospholipids and triglycerides and on growth. Maximal growth was observed when diet was supplemented with both fish oil and vitamin E. 4. Data from the present study and from a parallel investigation (Randall et al., 1992, J. exp. Biol. 170, 113-125) indicate that n-3 fatty acid and vitamin E are involved in regulating growth and energy requirements of responses to hypoxic stress.