Broodstock Nutrition and Reproductive Performance in Penaeid Shrimp

Broodstock nutrition is a critical determinant of reproductive success in penaeid shrimp, influencing gametogenesis, spawning frequency and larval quality. Diets enriched in high-quality proteins, essential lipids—particularly long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids—and key micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, support optimal gonadal development and egg viability. Energy reserves stored in the hepatopancreas provide vital substrates for oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis. Feed additives, including specific amino acids and lipid-based immunostimulants, have been shown to enhance fecundity and hatchability while reducing the impacts of handling stress. Environmental factors such as salinity, photoperiod and rearing system interact with nutrition to modulate endocrine signals that govern maturation. Metrics commonly used to assess reproductive performance include the gonadosomatic index, egg clutch weight, spawn frequency and larval survival under hatchery conditions. Integrating advanced broodstock diets with controlled rearing environments has led to improvements in seed production efficiency, underpinning the economic sustainability of shrimp farming worldwide.

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Broodstock Nutrition and Reproductive Performance in Penaeid Shrimp publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in broodstock nutrition and reproductive performance in penaeid shrimp across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Broodstock: Mature shrimp selected for breeding to supply eggs and sperm for hatchery operations.

Gonadosomatic index (GSI): Ratio of gonad weight to total body weight, expressed as a percentage, indicating reproductive investment.

Fecundity: Number of eggs produced by a female per spawning event or per unit body weight.

Spawn frequency: Number of successful spawning events produced by an individual female over a given period.

Eyestalk ablation: Partial removal of one eyestalk to induce hormonal changes that trigger ovarian maturation and spawning.

References

1. Reproductive performance of captive-reared Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus, broodstocks over two generations. Frontiers in Marine Science (2023).
2. Comparison of Reproductive Performance of Domesticated Litopenaeus vannamei Females Reared in Recirculating Tanks and Earthen Ponds: An Evaluation of Reproductive Quality of Spawns in Relation to Female Body Size and Spawning Order. Frontiers in Marine Science (2020).
3. Sperm quality of Litopenaeus vannamei fed fresh or experimental food in two culture systems. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society (2023).