Induction factors derived from carotenoids and vitamin
A during the ovarian maturation of Litopenaeus vannamei
M.A.
Liñán-Cabello,
J. Paniagua-Michel-2004
Aquaculture International, 12(6):
583-592
Abstract:
The
functionality of carotenoids and vitamin A as micronutrients in crustaceans
is not as well known as it is in vertebrates and certain marine
invertebrates. At the onset of critical functions in shrimp, such as ovary
maturation, physiological doses of carotenoids may be crucial for the
successful bioconversion into highly bioactive compounds such as retinoids.
In order to test this hypothesis, female brood stock of Litopenaeus
vannamei were injectioned with nine different treatments using retinoic
acid, retinol palmitate, trans-β-carotene
and astaxanthin. Differing effects on ovarian maturation induction after
treatment with trans-β-carotene,
astaxanthin and retinol palmitate were observed. Astaxanthin (18.6 μg g-1),
and retinol palmitate in concentrations of 10.6 and 133 μg g-1
enhanced ovary maturation in 38% of the injected females. On the other hand,
trans-β-carotene led to a
higher diversity of retinoids in the ovary and eyestalk, vis-à-vis
all-trans-retinal, 13-cis-retinal, all-trans-retinol
and 13-cis-retinol in the eyestalk. Patterns of isomerization of
retinoids associated with the level of ovary maturation were observed in the
eyestalks and ovaries. The functionality of retinoids in gene transcription
and cellular differentiation must be of great importance during the
differentiation of the oocyte, embryonic development and metamorphosis of L.
vannamei.
(Acuicultura/Biotecnología,
FACIMAR; Universidad de Colima; Km 19.5 carretera Manzanillo-Barra de
Navidad; Manzanillo, Colima, México,
e-mail: linanmarco@hotmail.com)