Dietary n-3 HUFA deficiency induces a reduced visual response in gilthead seabream Sparus aurata larvae

Developmental changes in swimming speed were analysed in the seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae. Four feeding regimes using live preys (rotifer Brachionus plicatilis) enriched with fish oil, soybean oil, linseed oil and rapeseed oil, differing in fatty acid profile, were tested during the first weeks of larval life. There was an increase in burst swimming speed and cruise swimming speed during the visual stimulus experiment at day 16th of life in the present study in agreement with the better eye development in larvae of this age. Swimming activity before stimulus was significantly reduced when larvae were fed rotifers enriched with vegetable oils. Larvae fed with rotifers enriched with fish oil reacted with a higher burst swimming speed after a visual stimulus than after the sound stimulus (159.5 SL/s vs. 18.30 SL/s) denoting the importance of the vision during this period of development not only for predation but also for the burst. The reduction in dietary essential fatty acid contents, by the enrichment with vegetable oils, delays the appearance of response to visual stimulus, in agreement with the minor DHA content in eyes and brains of these larvae and suggesting a delay in the functional development of brain and vision.