Effects of dietary lipid levels on the growth, digestive enzyme, feed utilization and fatty acid composition of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus L.) reared in freshwater

Triplicate groups of 40 Japanese sea bass Lateolabrax japonicus reared in freshwater (average weight, 9.52 +/- 0.47 g) were fed with six isonitrogenous (similar to 46% crude protein) diets containing 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14% or 16% lipid for 10 weeks respectively. The results showed that the maximum weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) all occurred at the 10% lipid level (P < 0.05) and growth depression occurred when the dietary lipid level was over 12%. Whole body and liver lipid concentrations were enhanced with the increase in the dietary lipid levels, but the muscle lipid content did not significantly change with the increase in the dietary lipid levels. Both liver pepsin and trypsin activities increased with dietary lipid levels ranging from 6% to 10%, and then decreased with a further increase in the dietary lipid content. Liver lipase activities showed a positive correlation with dietary lipid levels, but amylase activities were not markedly influenced by dietary lipid levels. High proportions of 18:1n-9, 20:1n-9, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA), 22:1n-11 and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA), and low concentrations of n-6 fatty acids, particularly 18:2n-6 occurring in the liver and muscle, to some extent, reflected the fatty acid composition in experimental diets.