Controlled reproduction in the wild European eel (Anguilla anguilla): two populations compared

This study aimed to describe the response variability of females silver eels in terms of gonad development and eggs production to standardized gonadotropic treatment (Carp pituitary extracts -CPE), and to relate this variability to population characteristics. For this purpose, sexual maturation, ovulation and fertilization were induced in two eel populations coming from different locations in Adriatic Sea (Comacchio -CM and Marano-Grado -MG lagoons), and after that, their reproductive capacity was valuated. External (Silver index -SI, Eye index –EI, Pectoral fin length index –PFLI, Condition factor -K) and hormonal (17β-estradiol -E2, testosterone -T) parameters were measured and some subject/group were sacrificed for histological and lipid analysis and age determination. Morphometric parameters showed the CM-Group to have highest values of Body weight (BW), Body length (BL) and K, while MG-Group presented highest PFLI and Gonadosomatic index (GSI) values. Regarding hormonal analysis, the CM-Group showed significantly higher T and E2 levels than the MG-Group, both groups showed considerably rapid increase at T5 (5th injection). A positive trend in gonadal development was found through histological evaluation; a more regular maturation was observed in the MG-Group whereas the CM-Group presented an exponential oocytes development starting from T10 (10th week), which led to an anticipated spawning. Lipid content showed significant differences in T0 (start study), post-ovulation and Control (30th week) between CM and MG eels. As to zootechnical performances, while MG eels released spontaneously into the water the CM’s were stripped in order to check ovulation. The MG eels were statistically the most productive with 40.1±6.33% BW of eggs released. Furthermore CM females ovulated mainly between the 19th and 22nd week (77.8% spawned eels) instead in the MG’s ovulation goes from the 24th to the 28th week (100% spawned eels). As fertilization is of concern, in both groups fertilized eggs were obtained with no difference in larvae production. These results seem to indicate that bigger dimensions, higher K and larger lipid content (Comacchio eels) could fasten gonadic maturation without positively influence reproductive performance of animals, both in term of quantity and quality of produced eggs. Smaller females with a highest SI (Marano-Grado eels) presented a more regular gonadic development, leading the animals to spontaneous spawning