This contribution brings together current knowledge on the use of functional food additives affecting marine fish reproductive performance. This article reviews published studies by several authors who have worked with specialized diets and focused on the dietary needs of brood fish, with the objective of identifying the relevant functional additives with potential to improve reproductive performance. The use of commercial and experimental diets that may have an effect on egg viability, quantity, and quality are discussed, with reference to hatching rates, larval survival, and compositions of fatty acids and amino acids after feed supplementation with various nutritional compounds. The intention of this review is to highlight the benefits of the use of vitamins, carotenes, fatty acids, and proteins of animal origin in broodstock nutrition, all of which have been shown to improve the quality of progeny under captive conditions. Finally, consideration is given to future perspectives on the use of additives in marine fish nutrition.

Mammalian fertilization is completed by direct interaction between sperm and egg. This process is primarily mediated by both adhesion and membrane-fusion proteins found on the gamete surface. ADAM1, 2, and 3 are members of the ADAMs protein family, and have been involved in sperm–egg binding. In this study, we demonstrate the proteolytic processing of ADAM15 during epididymal maturation of guinea pig spermatozoa to produce a mature form a size of 45 kDa. We find that the size of the mature ADAM15, 45 kDa, in cauda epididymal spermatozoa indicates that the pro-domain and metalloprotease domain are absent. In addition, using indirect immunofluorescence, ADAM15 was found throughout the acrosome, at the equatorial region and along the flagellum of guinea pig spermatozoa. After acrosome reaction, ADAM15 is lost from the acrosomal region and retained in the equatorial region and flagellum. In this study, we also report the first evidence of a complex between ADAM15 and acrogranin. By immunoprecipitation, we detected a protein band of 65 kDa which co-immunoprecipated together ADAM15. Analysis of the N-terminal sequence of this 65 kDa protein has revealed its identity as acrogranin. In addition, using cell-surface labeling, ADAM15 was found to be present on the cell surface. Assays of heterologous fertilization showed that the antibody against acrogranin inhibited the sperm–egg adhesion. Interestingly, ADAM15 and acrogranin were also found associated in two breast cancer cell lines. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that ADAM15 and acrogranin are present on and associated with the surface of guinea pig spermatozoa; besides both proteins may play a role during sperm–egg binding.

Taurine supplementation has shown survival and feeding efficiency in larval fish development. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of adding taurine to the longfin yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana) diet for 60 days. Fish (n = 270) were distributed in three treatments: T0 without taurine, T1, and T2, supplemented with taurine at 1 and 2%, respectively. Growth performance, blood serum biochemistry, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles in skeletal muscle were evaluated. Notable improvements (P < 0.05) were observed in T1 and T2 in terms of specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG). Survival rates (SR) did not show significant differences (P > 0.05). In addition, a decrease was observed in intraperitoneal fat (IPF). Still, an increase was observed in blood parameters, including higher total protein (TP) and globulin (GLO) concentration, as well as a reduction in cholesterol (CHO) levels. Changes in fatty acid profiles were also detected in skeletal muscle with an increase in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and elevation in taurine concentration in T2. The results showed that adding 20 g kg-1 of taurine to the diet improved growth, skeletal muscle, and blood serum biochemistry. Therefore, the use of higher taurine concentrations is recommended in future studies to understand fully the extent of the benefits to longfin yellowtail juveniles.