Journal article
Evaluation of physiological and molecular tools to assess ovarian stages in the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon)
World Aquaculture Society. Journal, Vol.57(3), pp.1-20
2026
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Advancing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms governing vitellogenesis and spawning in the black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon, requires an efficient method for identifying ovarian stages. Several physiological and molecular tools have been employed to define these stages in laboratory studies. However, it is necessary to assess these tools collectively to develop comprehensive staging approaches for studies aimed towards sustainable broodstock management. This study evaluated gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices (GSI and HSI), hemolymph Brix index, hemolymph 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20HE), and hemolymph vitellogenin (Vg) levels in eyestalk‐ablated P. monodon broodstock at defined ovarian stages. Ovarian stages were classified by ovarian histology and oocyte diameter measurements. Circulating Vg concentrations were measured by a newly developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated that GSI correlated negatively with HSI; the hemolymph Brix index significantly increased from the previtellogenic to the late vitellogenic stage; and hemolymph 20HE levels declined as the ovaries matured. Vg rose sharply in early vitellogenesis and remained elevated throughout ovarian development. The Vg ELISA was highly specific, sensitive, and reliable, enabling the detection of the Vg molecule and its fragments in hemolymph samples. Consequently, the hemolymph Brix index, 20HE, and Vg ELISA can be used as non‐lethal tools to investigate physiological and biochemical changes in hemolymph during ovarian maturation in P. monodon. This comprehensive approach would support studies aimed at assessing alternative methods of eyestalk ablation, as well as research evaluating the effects of diet, environmental manipulation, and genetic selection, among others.
Details
- Title
- Evaluation of physiological and molecular tools to assess ovarian stages in the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon)
- Authors
- Gourab Chowdhury - University of the Sunshine CoastJosephine Nocillado - University of the Sunshine CoastTianfang Wang - University of the Sunshine CoastAbigail Elizur - University of the Sunshine CoastScott F Cummins - University of the Sunshine CoastTomer Ventura (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- World Aquaculture Society. Journal, Vol.57(3), pp.1-20
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1111/jwas.70118
- ISSN
- 1749-7345
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the World Aquaculture Society published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of World Aquaculture Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- Grants
- Novel solutions for inducing ovarian maturation in the black tiger prawn Penaeus monodon, 2022-069, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Australia, Canberra) - FRDC
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991240388202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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