Open AccessCarotenoids and retinal levels in captive and wild shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Author(s) -
LiñánCabello M.A.,
PaniaguaMichel J.,
ZentenoSavín T.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
aquaculture nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1365-2095
pISSN - 1353-5773
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2095.2003.00267.x
Subject(s) - biology , litopenaeus , carotenoid , shrimp , hemolymph , penaeidae , astaxanthin , retinol , food science , botany , biochemistry , decapoda , vitamin , zoology , fishery , crustacean
In farm‐raised marine organisms, the interactions and functions of carotenoid and retinoid micronutrients as free radical scavengers during specific physiological processes, such as gonadic maturation, are not known. Captive and wild female white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were sampled at two maturation stages: II and IV. Total carotenoids, a carotenoid profile, and vitamin A from the digestive gland and ovary were determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined in hemolymph. The carotenoid concentration and range of activity were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in wild than in captive shrimp, particularly at maturation stage IV. Activity of SOD in hemolymph of captive shrimp at both stages of maturation was significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than that of wild organisms. In sexually exhausted, level IV captive shrimp, low carotenoid concentrations, mainly in digestive gland and ovary, reflected scavenger action insufficient to neutralize oxidative stress processes, as suggested by SOD activity. Carotenoids are important nutrients associated with the reproductive capacity of shrimp.