Abstract
Ambient temperature modulates reproductive processes, especially in poikilotherms such as teleosts. Consequently, global warming is expected to impact the reproductive function of fish, which has implications for wild population dynamics, fisheries and aquaculture. In this extensive review spanning tropical and cold-water environments, we examine the impact of higher-than-optimal temperatures on teleost reproductive development and physiology across reproductive stages, species, generations and sexes. In doing so, we demonstrate that warmer-than-optimal temperatures can affect every stage of reproductive development from puberty through to the act of spawning, and these responses are mediated by age at spawning and are associated with changes in physiology at multiple levels of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis. Response to temperature is often species-specific and changes with environmental history/transgenerational conditioning, and the amplitude, timing and duration of thermal exposure within a generation. Thermally driven changes to physiology, gamete development and maturation typically culminate in poor sperm and oocyte quality, and/or advancement/delay/inhibition of ovulation/spermiation and spawning. Although the field of teleost reproduction and temperature is advanced in many respects, we identify areas where research is lacking, especially for males and egg quality from "omics" perspectives. Climate-driven warming will continue to disturb teleost reproductive performance and therefore guide future research, especially in the emerging areas of transgenerational acclimation and epigenetic studies, which will help to understand and project climate change impacts on wild populations and could also have implications for aquaculture.
Highlights
The impact of global warming on teleost reproduction has been reviewed several times over the last couple of decades (Grazer & Martin, 2012; Miranda et al, 2013; Pankhurst & King, 2010; Pankhurst &Munday, 2011; Servili et al, 2020; Van Der Kraak & Pankhurst, 1997)
Investigations on fish reproduction are crucial in the context of global warming, since the reproductive capacity and plasticity of individuals contributes to processes such as adaptation, speciation and eventually extinction in populations subject to climate change (Grazer & Martin, 2012)
Egg and sperm quality and fecundity are crucial for both aquaculture and fisheries, today and in the future
Summary
The impact of global warming on teleost reproduction has been reviewed several times over the last couple of decades (Grazer & Martin, 2012; Miranda et al, 2013; Pankhurst & King, 2010; Pankhurst &Munday, 2011; Servili et al, 2020; Van Der Kraak & Pankhurst, 1997). The impact of global warming on teleost reproduction has been reviewed several times over the last couple of decades Depending on the species and life stages, fish sensitivity to thermal fluctuations varies due to their window of thermal tolerance (Pörtner & Farrell, 2008; Dahlke et al, 2020). Most sensitive stages to thermal stress, spawning and early life correspond to the narrowest thermal windows. Investigations on fish reproduction are crucial in the context of global warming, since the reproductive capacity and plasticity of individuals contributes to processes such as adaptation, speciation and eventually extinction in populations subject to climate change (Grazer & Martin, 2012)
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