Utilization of different dietary lipid sources at high level in herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): mechanism related to hepatic fatty acid oxidation

Herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) has been reported to exhibit low capacity to utilize high dietary lipid, but different lipid sources might affect this limited capacity. In order to compare the effects of different lipid sources with different lipid levels, juvenile grass carp were fed one of nine diets containing three oils [lard, plant oil mixed by maize and linseed oil, and n-3 high unsaturated fatty acid-enriched (HUFA-enriched) fish oil] at three lipid levels (20, 60 and 100 g kg(-1) dry diet) for 8 weeks. Decreased feed intake, poor growth performance, hepatic pathology and higher blood lipid peroxidation were found in 60 and 100 g kg(-1) fish oil groups. Conversely, in lard and plant oil groups, even at 100 g kg(-1) dietary lipid level, feed intake and growth performance did not decrease, despite histological observation revealed hepatic pathology in these groups. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol contents increased significantly in all 100 g kg(-1) dietary lipid groups. In the comparison of hepatic FA beta-oxidation among three oil groups at 60 g kg(-1) dietary lipid level, impaired mitochondrial and peroxisomal FA oxidation capacity was observed in fish oil group. The results confirmed the relatively low capacity of grass carp to utilize high dietary lipid, and furthermore excess HUFA intake will result in more serious adverse effects than other FA