Bile salt-dependent lipase in larval turbot, as influenced by density and lipid content of fed prey

Turbot larvae were fed three different densities of rotifers (1000, 3000 and 7500 rotifers 1^?1) with a low lipid level (< 15% of dry weight) or 7500 rotifers 1^?1 with a high lipid level (～30% of dry weight). The larval consumption of rotifers increased with increasing prey densities and the content of bile salt-dependent lipase (BSDL) in larvae was correlated positively with the ingestion rate from days 6 to 8. This suggests that BSDL synthesis was stimulated by the amount of ingested prey in the early larval phase. However, growth was highest in larvae receiving the medium prey densities, which indicates that the larvae were not able to digest properly the ingested prey at the higher density. No significant effect on the BSDL content was seen in turbot larvae fed rotifers with a high or low lipid content.