Significance of fatty acids in fish broodstock nutrition

The nutritional status of broodstock profoundly affects their reproductive performance and offspring survival. Studies on lipids and essential fatty acids in broodstock diets highlight their importance in cell structure, fecundity, fertilization, egg and larval quality, and providing metabolic energy for reproduction. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Lc-PUFA) like DHA (22:6 n-3) and EPA (20:5 n-3) are vital for egg and larval development, while arachidonic acid (ARA) produces eicosanoids essential for reproduction. The fatty acid requirements vary by habitat; freshwater fish typically lack ∆12 and ∆15 desaturase enzymes to convert oleic acid into vital polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acids but can synthesize linoleic (18:2 n-6) and linolenic (18:3 n-3) into Lc-PUFAs such as EPA, DHA, and ARA through desaturation and elongation, whereas marine teleost cannot. Hence, broodstock feed fatty acid composition must be tailored by incorporating ingredients with a specific fatty acid composition to enhance reproductive performance. This review provides updated information on fatty acid supplementation in broodstock diets to improve reproductive outcomes in commercially important finfish, offering valuable insights for researchers, academicians, hatchery owners, and fish farmers to produce better-quality seeds.