Reproductive Mechanisms in Crustacea Focusing on Selected Prawn Species: Vitellogenin Structure, Processing and Synthetic Control

Abstract

Shrimp culture is a significant world-wide industry, with current production levels reaching over 3 million tons per year. The expansion of the industry has given rise to the problems of environmental deterioration due to intensive-scale culture, and the outbreak of disease. While many of these issues are now being sufficiently addressed, the establishment of sustainable seed production technology is an area that should be given continued attention. In this regard, it remains difficult to control reproduction under hatchery conditions for a large number of commercially-important species. At present, an understanding of reproductive mechanisms in Crustacea is not complete, although in recent years, a great deal of knowledge has accumulated on vitellogenin structure, processing, and synthetic site in a number of economically-important species. This monograph will cover the current status of research on vitellogenin in decapod crustaceans, especially prawns and shrimp, and discuss mechanisms of vitellogenin synthetic control, both demonstrated and postulated. The monograph will also present current knowledge of crustacean vitellogenin receptors, and cover related facets of reproductive development, such as mechansisms of cortical rod formation and the utilization of vitellin during embryogenesis. Finally, future directions for this research and potential applications to aquaculture will be discussed.