To assess the impacts of dietary ARA supplementation at varying levels on growth, fatty acid deposition, blood hormone profiles, and ovarian development in stage III female Yangtze sturgeon, three experimental diets were formulated by supplementing a basal diet with 0%, 1%, or 2% ARA. These diets were administered to stage III female Yangtze sturgeon (initial body weight: 15.23 ± 2.54 kg) over a 12-month feeding trial. The experiment included three treatment groups, each consisting of 9 fish. Dietary ARA levels did not significantly affect the growth of stage III female Yangtze sturgeon broodstock (P > 0.05). Tissue fatty acid profiles correlated with dietary fatty acid composition, with dietary ARA supplementation significantly increasing the proportion of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in tissues (P < 0.05). Serum estradiol (E₂) levels increased progressively with rising dietary ARA levels. In contrast, testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations peaked in the 1% ARA group. No significant differences in oocyte diameter were observed among treatment groups (P > 0.05). However, the 1% ARA group exhibited the highest proportion of lipid droplet area in oocytes. The proportion of broodstock advancing to stage IV was higher in the 1% ARA group compared to the 0% ARA group. These findings indicate that dietary supplementation with a certain amount of ARA enhances ARA deposition in Yangtze sturgeon broodstock and influences hormone synthesis and developmental status.
 

Arachidonic acid,Sturgeon,Growth,Ovarian development