fishes Review Oogenesis and Egg Quality in Finfish: Yolk Formation and Other Factors Influencing Female Fertility Benjamin J. Reading 1,2,*, Linnea K. Andersen 1, Yong-Woon Ryu 3, Yuji Mushirobira 4, Takashi Todo 4 and Naoshi Hiramatsu 4 1 Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
[email protected] 2 Pamlico Aquaculture Field Laboratory, North Carolina State University, Aurora, NC 27806, USA 3 National Institute of Fisheries Science, Gijang, Busan 46083, Korea;
[email protected] 4 Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan;
[email protected] (Y.M.); todo@fish.hokudai.ac.jp (T.T.); naoshi@fish.hokudai.ac.jp (N.H.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +1-919-515-3830 Received: 28 August 2018; Accepted: 16 November 2018; Published: 21 November 2018 Abstract: Egg quality in fishes has been a topic of research in aquaculture and fisheries for decades as it represents an important life history trait and is critical for captive propagation and successful recruitment. A major factor influencing egg quality is proper yolk formation, as most fishes are oviparous and the developing offspring are entirely dependent on stored egg yolk for nutritional sustenance. These maternally derived nutrients consist of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and ions that are transported from the liver to the ovary by lipoprotein particles including vitellogenins. The yolk composition may be influenced by broodstock diet, husbandry, and other intrinsic and extrinsic conditions. In addition, a number of other maternal factors that may influence egg quality also are stored in eggs, such as gene transcripts, that direct early embryonic development.