Effect of fatty acid intake on growth and fatty acid composition of liver and muscle of snakehead [Channa micropeltes]

Three experimental diets providing different (n-3) and (n-6) series fatty acids (cod liver oil; a mixture of linolenic and linoleic acids; and linoleic acids) were given to snakeheads Channa micropeltes of initial weight approximately 100g for 10 weeks. Good growth was obtained with all three diets. Analysis of fatty acids in polar lipids from liver and muscle and in triacylglycerols from liver indicated the occurrence of some chain elongation and desaturation of linolenic acid in liver. Linolenic acid appeared to be incorporated directly into muscle polar lipids. There was no evidence of any conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. This suggests some differentiation between the acyl chain structures of linoleate and linolenate in this fish.