Martins, Dulce AlvesEngrola, S.Morais, S.Bandarra, N.Coutinho, J.Yúfera, M.Conceição, L. E. C.2014-07-042014-07-042011Martins, D.A.; Engrola, S.; Morais, S.; Bandarra, N.; Coutinho, J.; Yúfera, M.; Conceição, L.E.C. Cortisol response to air exposure in Solea senegalensis post-larvae is affected by dietary arachidonic acid-to-eicosapentaenoic acid ratio, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 37, 4, 733-743, 2011.0920-1742http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/4647An experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of feeding frozen Artemia diets differing in arachidonic acid-to-eicosapentaenoic acid ratios (ARA/EPA) on growth, survival and stress coping ability of Senegalese sole post-larvae (19–31 days after hatch). Two experimental diets presenting high (‘High’; 3.0) or low (‘Low’; 0.7) ARA/EPA ratios were tested under two rearing conditions: undisturbed (C) and stressed by a 2-min air exposure every two days (S). Growth, survival and basal cortisol levels were similar between groups indicating that independently of dietary ARA/EPA ratios, fish were able to cope with the repeated stress imposed. Also, cortisol levels at 3 h past air exposure were determined in all groups at the end of the experiment. Among fish fed the ‘Low’ diet, Cgroups seemed to present a quicker recovery from the acute stress (basal-like levels) than S groups. Repeated stress effects were not apparent in fish fed the ‘High’ diet and, relative to basal levels, twofold higher cortisol concentrations were detected at 3 h, in both C and S groups. This study suggests the importance of ARA in steroidogenesis regulation and the modulatory role of EPA in this process. Despite the tolerance to a wide range of dietary ARA/EPA as indicated by growth and survival results, acute stress coping response may be more efficient in Senegalese sole post-larvae fed low ARA/EPA ratios and, under these particular conditions, a faster recovery of cortisol to basal values could be indicative of rearing conditions (undisturbed vs. repeatedly stressed).engSolea senegalensisCortisolStressFatty acidsArachidonic acidEicosapentaenoic acidjournal article2014-07-03http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10695-011-9473-4