effect of dietary ascorbic acid levels on reproductive performance of shrimp, litopenaeus vannamei (boone), broodstock


S. Du, C. Hu, Q. Shen-2004

Journal of Shellfish Research, 23(1): 251-255

Abstract:

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) on reproductive performance of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Stay C-35 (a stable derivative, mainly monophosphate) was selected as AA source. Four grade levels of ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) (0, 400, 800, and 1200 mg kg -1 diet) were supplemented to the basal diet. Gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), fecundity, and egg diameter were not significantly affected by supplemented AA levels (P > 0.05), although AA concentrations in hepatopancreas. ovaries, and eggs increased significantly with dietary AA levels (P < 0.05). Average daily spawns per female, hatching rate, and fertilization rate were also significantly affected by dietary AA levels (P < 0.05). Results of this study confirmed the importance of supplementation of AA to the basal diet and suggested that at least 800 mg AAE kg-' diet was needed to supplement to the basal diet to acquire excellent ovarian maturation and reproductive performance.

(Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510301, Guanghou, People's Republic of China)


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