VITELLOGENIN, STEROID PLASMA LEVELS AND SPAWNING PERFORMANCE OF CULTURED FEMALE SENEGALESE SOLE (SOLEA SENEGASLENSIS)

The senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a high value flatfish, which aquaculture is compromised by severe reproductive problems, these are mostly found in soles hatched and raised in captivity (F1 generation). To gain knowlegde on the reproductive dysfunctions observed in cultured (F1) senegalese sole, this work aimed at developing a specific vitellogenin (VTG) ELISA, for the measurement of plasma VTG levelks in this specie. Profiles of VTG were correlated with those of sexual steroids and spawning performance of an F1 broodstock during three consecutive years. Annual profiles de plasma VTG showed a major peak at pre-spawning and a second minor rise around autumm, which mirrored plasma profiles of both estradiol and testosterone levels. Spontaneous spawning ocurred every year in the spring season, but no fertilized eggs were obtained.