Web Summary Cholesterol plays an important role in biological systems as a vital component of the cell membrane. It plays a role in the synthesis of steroid hormones, bile acid and Vitamin D. In invertebrates, cholesterol is the precursory material for molting hormones. Crustaceans, particularly penaeid shrimp, do not synthesize sufficient cholesterol to meet their needs. So, dietary provision of cholesterol is required. The cholesterol requirements of penaeids range from 0.12 to 0.5% in the diet depending on the species, life stage, and the level of phospholipids added in the diet. While 50-75% of the dietary requirements can be met by cholesterol present in the feed ingredients, the balance needs to be met by offering a purified cholesterol supplement. Commercially available cholesterol supplements are derived from sheep wool grease. These supplements are mainly made for applications in human medicine and cosmetics, and therefore are very expensive. A potential, cost-effective alternative to purified cholesterol supplements is a plant extract of Achyranthes spp.The extract is high in ecdysteroids, the hormones that play a crucial role in the molting of arthropods including crustaceans. Ecdysteroids produced by the crustacean Y organ, requires cholesterol as the precursor in its synthesis. This article presents the results of a growth trial showing that Achyranthes plant extract containing ecdysone (commercial name: Stimuler, manufactured by Dongsun Ind. Co. and distributed by Bio Resource International) has the potential to substitute supplementary cholesterol and serve as a natural growth stimulant in shrimp feeds. This article has 1 table and 4 figures. Full Paper
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