Effect of Macroalgae Protein Levels on Some Reproductive Aspects and Physiological Parameters for the Abalone, Haliotis tuberculata coccinea (Reeve 1846)

Abstract

The effect of food quality on some reproductive aspects (the fatty acid profile and the morphologyof the gonad and the fecundity) and physiological parameters (growth and feeding rates) wereevaluated in adult abalone,Haliotis tuberculata coccinea, females. Abalones were fed on macroalgaediets,Gracilaria cornea, with three different protein levels, Low-N, Medium-N, and High-N. Afterinducing spawning, a higher number of eggs released per gram of abalone and the greatest egg andcytoplasm diameters were found in abalones fed on Medium-N and High-NG. corneadiets. FeedingHigh-NG. corneaincreased the level of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) in the mature gonad tissueinH. tuberculata coccinea. Likewise, a histological study on the gonadal morphology revealed thatripe-stage individuals fed on a Low-NG. corneadiet had a larger macrophage populations and theareas of degenerated oocytes increased. These results suggest that macroalgae cultivated in seawaterenriched with ammonium may be a good choice for producing food for femaleH. tuberculata coccineabroodstock in the Canaries.