Egg quality criteria in Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical parameters used as possible determinants of egg quality in Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru). Fertilized eggs of eight spawns were obtained by hormonal induction. Egg quality criteria, including abnormal cleavage (AC), hatching percentage (HR) and survival percentage at first feeding (SR) were recorded. Samples were taken during embryonic development and from yolk-sac larvae. Proteins, energetic metabolite concentrations and metabolic and digestive enzyme activities were determined using colorimetric methods. Pearson’s correlation, and simple and multiple regression models were performed using the biochemical parameters as the independent variables and AC, HR and SR as the dependant variables. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity (AC r = 0.87; HR r = ! 0.65; SR r = ! 0.67) and fructose concentration (AC r = ! 0.64; HR r = 0.54; SR r = 0.64) were the only biochemical parameters to be strongly correlated with the three egg quality criteria. The use of multiple regression models increased the regression coefficient of the three quality criteria. Fructose, glucose and glucose-6-phosphatase were involved in all multiple regression models. The models proposed in this study may be used to explain egg quality for Pacific red snapper and their use as predictors of egg quality is discussed.