Description of the composition of fatty acids and lipids in the breeders muscle, oocytes and in the embryonic development of Brycon orthotaenia (Günther, 1864)

- Relative levels of linolenic acid during larvae development, suggest this is an essential fatty acid for the species.
- The increases DHA reflects the ability of the species to elongate and desaturate to obtain n-3HUFA from 18:3n3.
- Larvae at first feeding (25 h after hatching) showed a yolk sac with a large amount of lipids.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the fatty acid and lipid composition of oocytes, newly hatched larvae (NHL), first feeding larvae (FFL) and muscle tissue of female Brycon orthotaenia broodstock. Total and polar lipid was significantly (P < 0.05) abundant in oocytes and larvae in different stages of development. The lowest content (P < 0.05) of total lipids was found in the muscles, whereas total lipid content of oocytes, NHL and FFL did not show any significant difference. Polar lipid content was different (P < 0.05) between NHL and FFL. For the neutral the lowest values of C18:2n 6 occurred during the initial feeding period, whilst C20:4n 6 (AA) exhibited the highest percentage in FFL (P < 0.05). C22:6n 3 (DHA) was highest (P < 0.05) in FFL. The neutral lipid n-9 and n-6 was highest in muscle of females. The n-3HUFA was highest in NHL and in FFL, n-6HUFA was highest in FFL (P < 0.05). The ratios of DHA/EPA were higher (P < 0.05) in oocytes and FFL. In fatty acids of polar lipids, C20:5n 3 (EPA) did not show differences (P > 0.05) between stages. C18:3n 3 was highest (P < 0.05) in NHL and FFL. C20:4n 6 (AA) and C22:6n 3 (DHA) showed the highest percentages during the larval stages. The fatty acids n-3 series was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in FFL. The n-6HUFA was highest during development larval (P < 0.05). The increases DHA reflects the ability of the species to elongate and desaturate to obtain n-3HUFA from 18:3n 3, shows the importance of this fatty acid during early development.