International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 154-164 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 154 Research Report Open Access Genomic and Developmental Approaches to Enhance Reproductive Success and Growth in Eel (Anguillaspp.) Fei Zhao, Jinni Wu Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jinni.wu@cuixi.org International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0016 Received: 28 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 20 May., 2024 Published: 08 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhao and Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhao F. and Wu J.N., 2024, Genomic and developmental approaches to enhance reproductive success and growth in eel (Anguilla spp.), International Journal of Aquaculture, 14(3): 154-164 (doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0016) Abstract Eels (Anguilla spp.) exhibit complex life cycles and face challenges such as habitat loss and overexploitation, necessitating innovative approaches to enhance their reproductive success and growth. The primary objective of this study is to explore genomic and developmental methods to improve eel reproduction and growth, with a focus on understanding the underlying biological mechanisms and identifying strategies for aquaculture improvements. Recent research has highlighted several key findings. In Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), androgen regulation has been shown to significantly influence ovarian growth and follicle development. In European eel (Anguilla anguilla), recombinant gonadotropins can effectively induce spermatogenesis and sperm release, improving reproductive outcomes. Additionally, studies have revealed complex relationships between growth rates and environmental factors such as temperature, which affect eel development over time. The expression of gonadotropin subunits and receptors during different stages of oogenesis has also been characterized, providing insights into the hormonal regulation of reproduction. These findings underscore the potential of genomic and developmental approaches to enhance eel reproductive success and growth. By leveraging hormonal regulation, recombinant gonadotropins, and understanding environmental influences, significant advancements can be made in eel aquaculture. These strategies not only improve reproductive efficiency but also contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of eel populations. Keywords Anguilla spp.; Reproductive success; Androgenic modulation; Gonadotropins; Environmental factors; Maternal transfer; Aquaculture 1 Introduction The genus Anguilla, commonly known as eels, encompasses species with complex life cycles and significant ecological and economic importance. Eels are renowned for their intricate life cycles, which include long-distance migrations and unique reproductive strategies, and they face numerous challenges in their natural habitats (Hakim et al., 2019). Major challenges include habitat loss, environmental changes, and population decline due to overexploitation. To address these issues, considerable research efforts have been devoted to understanding the reproduction and growth dynamics of eels. Eels exhibit a remarkable catadromous life cycle, with adult individuals migrating thousands of kilometers to the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean for spawning. After hatching, the juvenile eels begin a long journey back to freshwater and estuarine habitats, where they grow and mature over several years (Reismann and Frankowski, 2021). The complexity of eel reproduction, from the mysterious spawning grounds to the development and recruitment of juveniles, poses significant challenges for conservation biologists and fisheries managers. The reproductive biology of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), in particular, has become a focal point of research due to the population decline of this species and the urgent need for effective aquaculture practices (Lee and Lou, 2019). The primary ovarian growth stages of female eels are crucial for successful reproduction, and understanding the hormonal regulation of these stages is essential for enhancing reproductive success (Churcher et al., 2015; Jéhannet et al., 2019). Enhancing eel reproductive success is crucial for maintaining viable populations and ecosystem health. Firstly, the populations of many eel species, including the Japanese eel, have been severely dwindling due to overfishing,
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