Effects of temperature and feed composition on essential fatty acid (n-3 and n-6) retention in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr

Retentions of total n-3 and n-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) were assessed in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) parr held at 8 degreesC and 2 degreesC until they increased in weight from ca. 19 g to 38 g. Feeds contained sandeel oil or a rapeseed: linseed oil blend at 21 and 34% dietary fat. EFA retention efficiencies [(g EFA gained g EFA ingested-1) x 100] were estimated by the 'mass balance method' from measurements of feed intake, changes in biomass for each tank of fish, and fatty acid compositions of the feeds and fish. The n-3 EFA retentions were higher ( overall mean 71%) across feed treatments and temperatures than the n-6 EFA retentions ( overall mean 63%). Retentions of the n-3 fatty acids were higher in the fish given the feeds with the lower fat content (77% vs. 65%), implying improved retention with reduced n-3 EFA availability. n-3 EFA retention tended to be higher at 2 degreesC than at 8 degreesC, although this was not consistent across feeds. At low temperature there was very high retention of the n-3 EFAs in feeds containing sandeel oil (80%). Such high retention may represent an adaptation response to low temperature. Lower n-6 EFA retentions imply that more n-6 fatty acids were metabolized than n-3 EFAs. Feed oil influenced retention of the n-6 fatty acids, retention being lower for the salmon parr given the feeds containing sandeel oil (56% vs. 71%). This could indicate a higher tissue deposition of n-6 fatty acids when they are freely available via the diet.