Effect of dietary astaxanthin and vitamin A on the reproductive performance of

The reproductive performance of pond tiger shrimp given astaxanthin (100 mg·kg−1) and/or vitamin A (20 000 IU·kg−1) for 61 d in tanks was assessed in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Tissue carotenoid (total carotenoid; astaxanthin free form. AF; monoester, AM; diester, AD) was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. The gonad index (GI) of shrimps fed diets with astaxanthin and/or vitamin A (3.05 ± 0.11 to 3.30 ± 0.17) were significantly higher than shrimps not fed any supplement (2.24 ± 0.17). A significant interaction between astaxanthin and vitamin A for ovarian development and spawning was detected (GI, 3.18 ± 0.14). The ovarian total carotenoid (10.85 ± 1.52 μg·g−1) and astaxanthin (AF, 7.65 ± 1.43 μg·g−1; AM, 0.63 ± 0.12 μg·g−1) content of shrimps fed a diet with astaxanthin supplement were significantly higher than those without. In shrimps fed diets with and without vitamin A, no differences in ovarian total carotenoid (9.38 ± 0.58 μg·g−1) and AF (8.12 ± 1.55 μg·g−1) content were observed except for AM (0.64 pm 0.15 μg·g−1) content. In contrast, the ovarian AD level was significantly higher (1.14 ± 0.3 μg·g−1) in shrimps fed diets with both supplements compared to other diets. A significant interaction between astaxanthin and vitamin A was detected for AD storage. In the hepatopancreas of shrimps fed diets with or without astaxanthin or vitamin A, no significant differences in AF and AM content was observed. On the other hand, the AD (4.92 ± 1.3 μg·g−1) level in the hepatopancreas of shrimps fed diet with vitamin A was significantly higher than those without. These results suggest the involvement of astaxanthin in P. monodon reproduction and its need for inclusion in broodstock diets. Supplementation of vitamin A to broodstock diet of P. monodon appears to enhance its ovarian development and spawning.