A study of biochemical composition in captive Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) eggs and larva

In this study, lipid classes, fatty acids, free amino acids (FAA) and protein content in captive Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus ) eggs were measured to investigate the relationship between biochemical composition of the eggs and egg quality, the effect of the physiological condition of broodstock females on egg biochemical composition, and changes in the biochemical composition of eggs and larvae in both the embryonic and early larval stages.;High neutral lipid (NL) level and low (n-6) and (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels seem to be associated with low egg quality.;The average dry weight of eggs followed a pattern similar to that of the average food intake of the broodstock female, while the average egg lipid content did not change. The spawning rhythm of the females also affected egg composition.;Total FAA decreased continuously (p < 0.01) over the embryonic and larval stages investigated. TAG decreased significantly for the larval stages (P < 0.05). When hatching occurred, there was a significant increase in all lipid classes except ST. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).