The influence of dietary arachidonic acid on growth, fatty acid profile and sex steroid hormones of F2 generation Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

•Dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) did not affect growth performance and morphological parameters of Acipenser sinensis.•Dietary ARA improved tissue ARA deposition, and enhanced the contents of ARA metabolitie, sex steroid and vitellogen.•1 % ARA would be optimal for steroid synthesis, which would promoted the ovary development of Acipenser sinensis.