Effect of dietary lipids and vitamin E on growth performance, body composition, anti-oxidative ability and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge of juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Vitamin E supplement is important in protecting lipid oxidation and enhancing immunity of aquatic animals. A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary lipid and vitamin E on juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The experimental diets included three levels of vitamin E (0, 100 and 300 mg kg^-1) and two levels of lipid (6% and 9%). The 9% lipid diet significantly enhanced the body lipid of crabs compared with the 6% lipid diet. The vitamin E concentration of hepatopancreas increased with the increase in vitamin E in the diets regardless of dietary lipid levels. The hepatopancreas fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acid and highly unsaturated fatty acid, were significantly enhanced by vitamin E supplement or 9% dietary lipid. Vitamin E supplement significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities of crabs compared with those fed the diets without vitamin E supplement. The hepatopancreas malondialdehyde of crabs fed 100 mg vitamin E kg^-1 was significantly lower than those fed 0 or 300 mg vitamin E kg^-1. The phenoloxidase activity of crabs fed the 9% lipid diet was significantly higher than those fed 6% lipid, irrespective of vitamin E levels. Vitamin E supplementation increased the bacterial resistance of juvenile crab. This study indicates that dietary lipid and vitamin E supplement do not affect crab growth and survival, but vitatmin E supplement at 100 mg kg^-1 can enhance immunity and antioxidant capacity of crab fed 6% or 9% dietary lipids.