Optimal dietary lipid level promoted ovary development of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) broodstocks

Abstract A one-year feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary lipid level on gonad development and steroidogenesis-related gene expressions of Chinese sturgeon ( Acipenser sinensis ). Three isonitrogenous experimental diets (L10, L14 and L18) were compounded with different lipid levels. Results of the feeding trial showed that 2 female Chinese sturgeons in L18 group had developed the ovary to stage III. Chi-square independence test indicated that ovary development was significantly affected by dietary lipid level ( P 2 ) and testosterone (T) of L14 group was significantly higher than those in the other two groups ( P P vtgr ) mRNA expression increased with dietary lipid level ( P ar ), cytochrome p 450 17A1 ( cyp17a1 ), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein ( star ), follicle stimulating hormone receptor ( fshr ), luteinizing hormone receptor ( lhr ) and cytochrome p 450 aromatase ( cyp19a1 ) were significantly higher in L14 group than in other groups ( P lepr) and DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-1 ( dbi ) in L14 group were significantly lower ( P vtgr expression to increase the assimilation of vitellogenin in ovary.