Functional Additives as a Boost to Reproductive Performance in Marine Fish: A Review

Abstract

This contribution brings together current knowledge on the use of functional food additives affecting marine fish reproductive performance. This article reviews published studies by several authors who have worked with specialized diets and focused on the dietary needs of brood fish, with the objective of identifying the relevant functional additives with potential to improve reproductive performance. The use of commercial and experimental diets that may have an effect on egg viability, quantity, and quality are discussed, with reference to hatching rates, larval survival, and compositions of fatty acids and amino acids after feed supplementation with various nutritional compounds. The intention of this review is to highlight the benefits of the use of vitamins, carotenes, fatty acids, and proteins of animal origin in broodstock nutrition, all of which have been shown to improve the quality of progeny under captive conditions. Finally, consideration is given to future perspectives on the use of additives in marine fish nutrition.

Keywords

• broodstock
• nutrition
• vitamin
• carotene
• protein
• fatty acids