Title : Broodstock nutrition and reproductive success: recent advances and future perspectives
Abstract:
Broodstock nutrition is a critical determinant of reproductive performance, gamete quality, larval survival, and overall seed production in aquaculture. The quality and quantity of nutrients supplied to brood fish directly influence gonadal development, endocrine regulation, fecundity, spawning success, egg quality, fertilization rate, and offspring fitness. With the increasing global demand for high-quality fish seed to support sustainable aquaculture and food security, optimizing broodstock nutrition has emerged as a major research priority. Recent advances in broodstock nutrition research have highlighted the pivotal role of macronutrients and micronutrients in reproductive physiology. Lipids, particularly essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are crucial for steroidogenesis, vitellogenesis, membrane integrity, and embryo development. Adequate dietary protein ensures proper synthesis of reproductive hormones and yolk proteins, while balanced carbohydrates provide metabolic energy during gonad maturation. In addition, micronutrients including vitamins (A, C, E, D) and minerals such as selenium, zinc, and calcium contribute significantly to antioxidant defence, hormonal signalling, and gamete viability. Emerging research using nutrigenomics, metabolomics, and endocrine profiling has improved our understanding of the molecular pathways linking nutrition and reproduction. Studies have demonstrated that imbalanced broodstock diets can lead to abnormal visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and impaired reproductive performance. Nutritional modulation of key reproductive genes, including gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadotropins (GtH), and vitellogenin (Vtg), is increasingly recognized as a mechanistic basis for reproductive success or failure. Future perspectives in broodstock nutrition focus on precision feeding strategies, species-specific diet formulation, functional feed additives, probiotics, and sustainable alternative ingredients such as insect meal, algal products, and bioactive compounds. Integration of omics-based technologies with reproductive physiology will enable the development of tailored nutritional interventions for improved broodstock management. Advancing this field will be essential for enhancing seed quality, improving breeding efficiency, and ensuring sustainable aquaculture production under changing environmental conditions.
