Variation in biochemical composition during gonad maturation of the tropical abalone Haliotis varia Linnaeus 1758 (Vetigastropoda: Haliotidae)

Najmudeen, T M (2007) Variation in biochemical composition during gonad maturation of the tropical abalone Haliotis varia Linnaeus 1758 (Vetigastropoda: Haliotidae). Marine Biology Research, 3. pp. 454-461.

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Abstract

Biochemical changes in the body components during gonad maturation of the tropical abalone Haliotis varia were investigated using wild collected specimens from the Gulf of Mannar, on the southeast coast of India. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the hepatosomatic index (HSI) showed negative correlations throughout the study period as well as during the progression of gonad maturation stages. The highest GSI for both the sexes were in the ripe stages followed by late maturing stages. The HSI ranged from 2.97 to 6.71 in females, and 3.55 to 5.09 in males. Among the biochemical components analysed, lipid and carbohydrate contents showed significant variations in the different tissues of H. varia during the progress of gonad maturation. The highest protein content was in the foot muscle and the lowest was in the digestive gland. Total lipids in the ovary were always higher compared with that of the testis and the values ranged from 12.60 to 26.49%, registering the highest value in the ripe ovary. Gonad carbohydrate content was lower when the lipid content was higher, suggesting the conversion of carbohydrate to lipids. The present study demonstrates the role of nutrient translocation between body parts as an essential part of the reproductive physiology of abalone.

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