Effects of enriched Artemia with fish and soybean oils supplemented with vitamin E on growth, stress resistance, antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of enriched Artemia with fish and soybean oils supplemented with vitamin E on growth performance, stress resistance, antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae. Five experimental diets including non-enriched Artemia (control diet), Artemia enriched with soybean oil supplemented with 15 or 30% vitamin E (S15 and S30 diets) and fish oil supplemented with 15 or 30% vitamin E (F15 and F30 diets) were used. The larvae were fed to apparent satiation for 17 days. The results indicated that fish fed enriched Artemia had no significant differences compared with control group in terms of growth and survival, but increase in vitamin E levels from 15 to 30 % improved growth performance and resistance to salinity stress. Vitamin E content in fish fed S15 and S30 diets was significantly higher compared with the other treatments. Antioxidant enzymes activity in fish fed non-enriched Artemia, F15 and F30 diets were higher. The highest TBA value was observed in fish fed non-enriched Artemia. The results demonstrated that the addition of vitamin E to the fish and soybean oils for Artemia enrichment could reduce oxidation of oils and beneficial for the health and quality of larvae. In conclusion, enrichment of Artemia with soybean oil supplemented with 30 % vitamin E (S30 diet) is recommended for feeding Persian sturgeon larvae.