Effect of dietary lipid source on expression of lipid metabolism genes and tissue lipid profile in juvenile spiny lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi

The spiny lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi is an emerging lobster species for intensive aquaculture. The lack of any nutritional information required for feed development in this species initiated this study to understand the effect of different dietary lipid sources on tissue lipid profiles and expression of selected lipid metabolising genes. Krill oil, marine oil (blend of fish oils), and vegetable oil (combination of linseed and palm oil), were utilised to formulate three experimental feeds with different phospholipid, triacylglycerol and polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles. Experimental feeds were administered to freshly moulted juvenile S. verreauxi for 50 to 55 days, to determine the effect of lipid sources on the nutritional status, fatty acid composition and expression of genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis, β-oxidation, lipid catabolism and regulation of lipid metabolism. While there were no significant differences in terms of weight gain and mortality among different dietary treatments, the fatty acids composition in the hepatopancreas and to some extent, muscle tissues correlated with the fatty acids composition of the respective dietary treatments. Vegetable oil diet resulted in higher expression of genes related to β-oxidation, which indicates selectivity towards utilisation of monounsaturated fatty acids for energy in this species. In tandem, genes related to fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis were upregulated, suggesting their importance in the marine lobster diet. This is the first report on the use of formulated feeds to successfully maintain juvenile S. verreauxi.