Effect of highly unsaturated fatty acids, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in broodstock diet on egg composition and development of Penaeus indicus

Experiments were conducted by feeding Penaeus indicus broodstock with compound diets containing different concentrations of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, In the range of dietary HUFA concentration, from 1.4% to 2.5% of dry matter, the HUFA concentration in eggs was maintained at a constant value, 3.8% of dry matter, promoting embryonic development, Eggs with poor HUFA concentration (2%/dry matter) were obtained by feeding broodstock with low dietary HUFA content, resulting in low ability to develop, These results suggest that this concentration is insufficient to sustain membrane development during embryogenesis. The alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid concentrations in broodstock diet affected their concentration in eggs and hatchability. The action of these two vitamins in preventing HUFA oxidation in developing eggs is discussed.