The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of graded levels of dietary vitamin A on sea bass larval performances and to determine optimal retinol levels at different larval stages to avoid specific skeletal malformations. Retinol was incorporated into larval feeds at 0, 5,10,15, 25, 35 and 70 mg kg(-1) dry matter (giving rise to RET0, RET5, RET10, RET15, RET25, RET35, RET70 groups, respectively). Analysis of the several types of deformities affecting the skull, vertebral column or fins of the fish were observed depending on experimental groups. On one hand, the incidence of skull malformations affecting the maxillary and premaxillary bones. dentaries, operculum, branchiostegal rays and glossohyal was lower for the RET0 and RET5 groups. On the... |