Enhancing Maturation of Oocytes in Bivalves

Louisiana State University
posted on 09/13/2010

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A method to stimulate gonadal development, oocyte maturation, and meiotic synchrony in oysters and other bivalves. Advantages include a decrease in the variability of fertilization among different individuals, a decrease in the variability of larval production by synchronizing gamete maturation within a population, the ability to mature and spawn broodstock without sacrificing the animals, the ability to conserve and maintain genetic lines, and the ability to improve cross-breeding programs, with or without the use of transgenics, by repeated spawning of individuals. The method may be used, for example, in oyster hatchery production, with an emphasis on conservation of broodstock. The invention allows the successful and repeatable breeding of either diploids or polyploids, selective breeding, and the breeding of transgenic oyster lines, all without the need to sacrifice the founder animals.

• Decreased variability in fertilization and larval production
• Mature and spawn diploid and polyploid broodstock, without sacrificing the animals
• Conserve and maintain genetic lines
• Improved cross-breeding programs
• Conservation of broodstock
• Repeated breeding of diploids and polyploids
• Founder broodstock may be bred repeatedly, without being sacrificed