A role for polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostaglandins in oocyte maturation in the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

When considering fatty acid involvement in reproduction, lipids are most often examined from an energetic standpoint. However, the significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in reproductive processes is gradually becoming recognized. In fish, lipid composition is seasonal and related to reproductive status. 1 Thus, the PUFA composition of the diet can affect teleost pituitary and gonadal hormone levels and reproductive performance. 2 At the cellular level, arachidonic acid through conversion to eicosanoids can stimulate testosterone production in goldfish ovary and testis, 3, 4 whereas other long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid attenuate gonadotropin (GTH)-induced steroid production in the teleost testis and ovary. 5, 6 Similarly, arachidonic acid can stimulate testoterone production in goldfish follicles through conversion to cyclooxygenase products. 7 Thus, the role of PUFAs in ovarian physiology is gradually becoming established. However, little information is available regarding the involvement of PUFAs in the process of oocyte maturation. Using cultured follicle-enclosed oocytes from the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), the present study examined the effects of free arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid and their metabolites on oocyte maturation in vitro.This work was supported by grants from C.I.C.Y.T. (Mar 96-1859) (to M.C.) and the E.U. (AIR2-CT93-1005) and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Governnment (to L.A.S.).Peer reviewe