河川沙塘鳢胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中脂类含量及脂肪酸组成的变化

采用生物化学方法测定和分析了河川沙塘鳢(Odontobutis potamophila)胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中脂类的含量及脂肪酸的组成。结果显示,随着胚胎和仔鱼的发育,其总脂的含量呈下降趋势,饱和脂肪酸(SFA)的含量亦呈现出下降趋势,单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)的含量在胚胎期保持稳定、在仔鱼期下降,而多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)却呈现出不断增长的趋势。在整个胚胎和仔鱼发育过程中,平均含量最高的脂肪酸依次是C16∶0、C18∶1n-9、C18∶0、C16∶1、C22∶6n-3(DHA)和C20∶5n-3(EPA)。结果表明:河川沙塘鳢在胚胎和仔鱼发育过程中有消耗饱和脂肪酸和单不饱和脂肪酸,而保存n-3系列和n-6系列的高度不饱和脂肪酸的趋势,饱和脂肪酸被作为胚胎期能量代谢的主要来源,单不饱和脂肪酸被作为仔鱼期能量代谢的主要来源,而C18∶3n-3(亚麻酸)和C18∶2n-6(亚油酸)被用于合成DHA、EPA和C20∶4n-6(AA)。     

闽东海域繁殖期雌性棘头梅童鱼亲鱼不同组织的脂肪酸组成分析

为获知棘头梅童鱼亲鱼性腺发育后期脂类及脂肪酸蓄积特点,采用内标定量法,对性腺发育至Ⅳ期的雌性棘头梅童鱼亲鱼肌肉、肝脏和卵巢组织中的脂肪及脂肪酸含量进行了测定,并比较分析了3种组织中的脂肪酸组成。结果表明:雌性棘头梅童鱼亲鱼卵巢、肝脏和肌肉中脂肪的质量分数分别为(4.84±0.05)%、(2.66±0.05)%和(0.56±0.05)%,不同组织间具有显著性差异(P<0.05)。雌性棘头梅童鱼亲鱼的卵巢、肌肉和肝脏中分别检出29种脂肪酸,含量最高的饱和脂肪酸依次为C16∶0、C18∶0和C14∶0;含量最高的单不饱和脂肪酸依次为C16∶1、C18∶1n9c和C20∶1;含量最高的多不饱和脂肪酸依次为C22∶6n3(DHA)、C20∶5n3(EPA)和C20∶4n6(ARA)。从相对含量来看,肌肉中饱和脂肪酸的质量分数为(58.22±0.24)%,显著高于肝脏(52.71±0.24)%和卵巢(36.42±0.24)%(P<0.05);卵巢中单不饱和脂肪酸的质量分数为(23.78±0.09)%,显著高于肌肉(16.15±0.07)%和肝脏(10.79±0.05)%(P<0.05);卵巢中多不饱和脂肪酸质量分数为(39.79±0.19)%,显著高于肝脏(36.49±0.21) %和肌肉(25.63±0.19)%(P<0.05)。肌肉、肝脏和卵巢中EPA和DHA的总量依次升高,质量分数分别为(19.34±0.15)%、(26.59±0.16)%和(27.78±0.13)%。卵巢、肝脏和肌肉组织中的DHA/EPA分别为1.95、2.28和1.89,n-3系和n-6系多不饱和脂肪酸的比值分别为3.29、3.81和6.25。     

日本鬼鲉胚胎及卵黄囊仔鱼发育过程中脂肪及脂肪酸特性变化

以野生日本鬼鲉人工催产获得的受精卵为实验材料,定量检测了日本鬼鲉胚胎及卵黄囊仔鱼发育过程中脂肪组成及脂肪酸含量.结果表明:日本鬼鲉胚胎及卵黄囊仔鱼的总脂肪含量为13.85％～ 11.66％,极性脂肪占总脂肪含量为75.39％～ 72.20％.总脂肪及极性脂肪含量在胚胎发育阶段无显著变化,在卵黄囊仔鱼阶段随发育而显著下降.中性脂肪含量在胚胎发育阶段有显著变化,在卵黄囊仔鱼阶段其含量相对稳定.野生日本鬼鲉胚胎及卵黄囊仔鱼总脂肪的主要脂肪酸为DHA(22∶6n-3),16∶0,ARA(20∶4n-6),EPA(20∶5n-3),18∶0和18∶1n-9.总脂肪及极性脂肪的DHA,ARA,EPA含量(mg/gDW)均随胚胎和卵黄囊仔鱼的发育而显著下降,且DHA和ARA含量均在胚胎囊胚期至尾芽期大幅降低.中性脂EPA和DHA含量随发育呈先升后降,其峰值分别出现在初孵仔鱼和2日龄(2DPH)卵黄囊仔鱼.中性脂ARA含量随发育逐步升高,峰值出现在3日龄(3DPH)卵黄囊仔鱼.在胚胎发育前期,总脂肪DHA和ARA相对EPA被选择性消耗,饱和脂肪酸(SFAs)和多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)相对单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFAs)被机体选择性消耗,N-6PUFA相对N-3 PUFA被选择性消耗;在胚胎发育后期及卵黄囊仔鱼阶段,总脂肪EPA相对DHA和ARA被选择性消耗.在胚胎和卵黄囊仔鱼发育过程中,SFAs中16∶0相对18∶0被选择性消耗.胚胎发育后期阶段和卵黄囊仔鱼阶段,总脂肪MUFAs中16∶1相对18∶1被选择性消耗.实验表明日本鬼鲉胚胎及卵黄囊仔鱼发育阶段极性脂肪中DHA、ARA和EPA可以向中性脂肪中转移,胚胎和卵黄囊仔鱼对不同类别脂肪中的重要脂肪酸的消耗具有选择性,且其选择性与发育阶段相关.     

红罗非和福寿鱼雌性亲鱼不同组织脂肪酸组成分析

Folch法提取红罗非鱼(Oreochromis sp.)和福寿鱼(O.mossambicus×O.niloticus)雌亲鱼不同组织(肌肉、肝胰脏和卵巢)中的脂质,GC法分析脂肪酸组成。结果显示,红罗非鱼和福寿鱼卵巢中总脂含量分别占湿重的16.16%和10.20%,显著高于肝胰脏中的总脂含量(P<0.05),而肝胰脏中的总脂含量又显著高于肌肉(P<0.05)。2种鱼肌肉、肝胰脏和卵巢中共检出18种脂肪酸,主要饱和脂肪酸(SFA)是C14:0、C16:0和C18:0,主要单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)是C16:1和C18:1n-9,主要多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)是C18:2n-6、C20:4n-6(ARA)、C20:5n-3(EPA)和C22:6n-3(DHA)。ARA在福寿鱼肌肉中含量最高(9.16%),显著高于2种试验鱼其他组织中的ARA含量。Σ(EPA+DHA)在红罗非鱼的卵巢和福寿鱼的肌肉、肝胰脏和卵巢中含量高于其它组织(5.09%～7.70%),福寿鱼肌肉中最高(7.70%),卵巢中次之(6.97%)。红罗非鱼肌肉、肝胰脏和卵巢中的ΣPUFA含量均低于福寿鱼相应组织。红罗非鱼与福寿鱼各组织之间n-3/n-6比率变化不显著,但均小于1,为0.12～0.41。红罗非鱼的肝胰脏和卵巢中,脂肪酸含量ΣSFA>ΣMUFA>ΣPUFA;红罗非鱼肌肉、福寿鱼肝胰脏和卵巢中,ΣMUFA>ΣSFA>ΣPUFA;福寿鱼肌肉中,ΣSFA>ΣPUFA>ΣMUFA。     

长丰鲢卵巢发育后期的肝脏、卵巢营养成分及脂肪酸变化

为了解繁殖期长丰鲢卵巢和肝脏营养状况,明确亲鱼的营养程度,对长丰鲢卵巢发育后期的肝脏和卵巢营养成分及脂肪酸组成进行了对比分析。结果显示:卵巢中的粗脂肪和粗蛋白含量先上升后下降,肝脏中的粗脂肪含量逐渐下降,粗蛋白基本稳定不变。在卵巢和肝脏中共检测到21种脂肪酸,其中含量较高的脂肪酸种类分别是C16∶0、C18∶1、C22∶6和C16∶0、C18∶0、C18∶1;在卵巢和肝脏中单不饱和脂肪酸含量丰富,占总脂肪酸含量分别为38.5%~43.1%和33.0%~40.7%;在高度不饱和脂肪酸中,二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)含量在卵巢和肝脏中都是最高,含量分别为12.9%~15.5%和3.4%~5.7%。研究揭示了长丰鲢卵巢发育后期的肝脏和卵巢在营养物质组成上的特点。     

稻田与池塘养殖瓯江彩鲤肌肉营养成分对比分析

为探究不同养殖条件下瓯江彩鲤肌肉营养组成的差异，分别对吉林省稻田养殖(PF组)和池塘养殖(PC组)瓯江彩鲤肌肉的常规营养成分、氨基酸、脂肪酸以及部分矿物元素含量进行测定，分析了两种养殖条件下瓯江彩鲤营养组成的差异。就常规营养组成而言，PF组瓯江彩鲤肌肉中水分含量显著高于PC组(P<0.05)。PF组瓯江彩鲤肌肉中甘氨酸(Gly)、酪氨酸(Tyr)及胱氨酸(Cys)等氨基酸的含量均显著高于PC组(P<0.05),且PF组鲜味氨基酸总量明显高于PC组；就脂肪酸组成而言，PF组瓯江彩鲤肌肉中二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸甲酯(DHA)含量均显著高于PC组(P<0.05);除镁(Mg)和钠(Na)外，PF组瓯江彩鲤肌肉中其余矿物元素含量均显著高于PC组(P<0.05)。综合肌肉氨基酸组成、脂肪酸组成及矿物质含量等结果，稻田养殖瓯江彩鲤的营养品质优于池塘养殖个体。     

闽东海域银鲳亲鱼性腺发育后期脂类及脂肪酸蓄积特点

脂肪和脂肪酸是海水鱼类早期生长发育的重要结构物质和能量来源。亲鱼的脂肪和脂肪酸储备影响其繁殖性能和早期仔鱼的发育。为了获知银鲳亲鱼性腺发育后期脂类及脂肪酸蓄积特点,本研究采用氯仿甲醇法及气相色谱法定量检测了繁殖季节闽东海域野生银鲳亲鱼不同组织的总脂肪及脂肪酸含量。结果表明:亲鱼卵巢、精巢、肝脏和肌肉的总脂肪含量差异显著。卵巢、精巢、肝脏和肌肉的总脂含量分别为:35.76%,15.11%,22.07%和22.14%(占组织干重)。极性脂肪占总脂肪的比例在精巢中最高,其次为肝脏和卵巢,在肌肉中最低。性腺从Ⅳ期发育到Ⅴ期,雌鱼卵巢总脂肪和中性脂肪含量显著增加,雄鱼肌肉极性脂肪含量显著降低。中性脂肪中卵巢的20∶5n-3(EPA,2.25~3.87 mg/g)、22∶6n-3(DHA,6.71~13.03mg/g)和高不饱和脂肪酸(HUFAs,17.20~29.64 mg/g)含量最高,极性脂肪中精巢的EPA(0.38~0.27 mg/g)和DHA(3.12~3.59 mg/g)含量最高。性腺中n-3/n-6比值显著高于肝脏和肌肉中。随着卵巢发育,DHA等必需脂肪酸在雌鱼不同组织及同一组织不同脂肪类别之间存在转移现象。研究表明,银鲳亲鱼各组织的总脂肪含量、总脂肪组成及脂肪酸绝对含量(mg/g干物质)具有组织特异性,随着性腺发育,必需脂肪酸总体上表现为由肌肉和肝脏向性腺中转移,且性腺中脂肪酸的变化主要发生在中性脂肪中。     

长江下游雌性刀鲚生殖洄游过程中脂肪酸含量及其组分的变化

为阐明长江刀鲚体内脂肪酸在生殖洄游过程中的转化规律,本研究采用三氟化硼甲酯化法对采自长江下游不同发育时期(Ⅲ～Ⅴ期)的雌性刀鲚洄游群体的脂肪酸进行测定,对各类脂肪酸在卵巢、肌肉和肝胰腺的组成及其含量变化作了分析。结果显示,雌性刀鲚从Ⅲ期发育至Ⅴ期,卵巢总脂肪酸含量上升了148.89 mg/g,而肌肉和肝胰腺总脂肪酸含量则分别下降了109.57和160.58 mg/g。不同发育时期,卵巢、肌肉和肝胰腺的脂肪酸组成基本相同,均含有3大类24种脂肪酸,其中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)9种、单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)6种和多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)9种。所有脂肪酸中,以油酸(C18:1n9c)的含量最高,占各组织脂肪酸总量的18%以上。分析发现,在Ⅲ期至Ⅴ期发育过程中,雌性刀鲚肌肉中的C18:1n9c下降了86.36%,卵巢中则增加了2.62倍;必需脂肪酸C18:2n6和C18:3n3在肌肉中分别下降了74.00%和82.26%,但在卵巢中分别增加了225.87%和183.96%;肌肉中DHA (C22:6n3,二十二碳六烯酸)含量减少了2.6倍,而卵巢中却增加了近3倍,表明这些脂肪酸与繁殖活动的关系很密切。研究还发现,Ⅳ期和Ⅴ期卵巢中ARA (C20:4n6,花生四烯酸)/EPA (C20:5n3,二十碳五烯酸)的比值均小于0.46,可能预示着长江刀鲚有较好的卵子质量。     

野生与人工养殖牙鲆亲鱼不同组织脂肪酸的比较

为研究脂肪酸对牙鲆繁育性能的影响, 采用生物化学方法, 对野生和养殖牙鲆亲鱼肌肉、肝脏及卵中脂肪酸组成分别进行测定。结果表明: (1) 牙鲆肌肉、肝脏和卵中脂肪含量大小关系为肝脏>卵>肌肉。野生亲鱼肌肉和卵中脂肪含量显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 肝脏脂肪含量与养殖亲鱼无显著差异; (2) 牙鲆亲鱼3种组织中均检测出21种脂肪酸。野生亲鱼肌肉中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)与养殖亲鱼无显著差异, 单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05)。肝脏和卵中SFA显著高于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), MUFA与养殖亲鱼无显著差异; (3) 野生亲鱼肌肉、肝脏和卵中高不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的含量, 尤其是肝脏和卵中C20:5n-3(EPA)、C22:6n-3(DHA)的含量均显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 但肌肉和卵中的C20:4n-6(ARA)含量明显高于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05); (4) 野生牙鲆亲鱼肌肉、肝脏和卵中n-3/n-6 PUFA及EPA/ARA显著低于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 肝脏中DHA/EPA显著高于养殖亲鱼(P<0.05), 但野生亲鱼肌肉和卵中的DHA/EPA与养殖亲鱼无显著差异。比较结果说明, DHA、EPA和ARA等PUFA是与牙鲆繁殖性能密切相关的重要脂肪酸。在牙鲆亲鱼养殖过程中, 除了提供牙鲆亲鱼足够的脂肪酸营养外, 也应注意各种脂肪酸, 尤其是PUFA中各种脂肪酸之间的添加比例, 从而保证亲鱼的繁殖性能及卵和仔鱼的质量。     

花鳗鲡成鱼肌肉脂肪酸组成分析

为给花鳗鲡肉质营养评价及饲料研制提供基础数据和理论分析依据,对花鳗鲡肌肉粗营养成分与脂肪酸组成进行了测定。测定结果:花鳗鲡肌肉的水分含量为68.79%,蛋白质含量为17.58%,脂肪含量为10.86%,其中C14∶0、C15∶0、C16∶0、C18∶0,C16∶0等饱和脂肪酸(SFA)的相对含量为27.6%,C16∶1、C18∶1、C20∶1、C18∶1等单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)的相对含量为47.04%,C16∶3n-3、C18∶3n-3、C20∶5n-3、C22∶6n-3等n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3PUFA)的相对含量为9.4%,C18∶2n-6、C20∶4n-6、C18∶2n-6等n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(n-6PUFA)的相对含量为6.66%,多不饱和脂肪酸中DHA的相对含量为2.29%,EPA的相对含量为5.30%。分析结果显示,花鳗鲡肌肉中蛋白质和多不饱和脂肪酸含量非常高,属于优质的蛋白和脂肪源。     

中华绒螯蟹卵巢快速发育期内脂类积累以及对抱卵的影响

本文报道中华绒螯蟹卵巢快速发育期内（９月初至１２月初）脂类积累及对抱卵的影响。结果表明：在这一时期,卵巢重量和脂肪含量都迅速增加,增加的脂肪中,中性脂（ＮＬ）主要是甘油三酯和胆固醇磷脂（ＰＬ）主要是卵磷脂和脑膦脂,且ＮＬ或ＰＬ在总脂的比值比较稳定;无论是ＮＬ还是ＰＬ,ω３系列的多不饱和脂肪（主要是Ｃ２０：５和Ｃ２２：６）的百分组成熟显著增加,而ω６系列的（主要是Ｃ２０：４）百分组成则显著降低;不能     

Lipids in female northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus L.) during sexual maturation

Total lipids, lipid classes, fatty acids and vitamin E contents were measured in ovary, liver, dark muscle, white muscle and mesenteric perigonadal fat in four maturational stages of Atlantic female northern buefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus L.) during migration to Mediterranean spawning grounds through the Strait of Gibraltar. Ovary lipid content increased significantly by 37.6-fold from inmature to spawning stage, accumulating large quantities of steryl/wax esters, whereas the ratio of mesenteric perigonadal fat (primarily triacylglycerols) weight to ovary weight decreased linearly throughout maturation. In contrast, liver, dark red and white muscles lipid content did not show a major depletion during maturation compared to that of perigonadal fat. The fatty acid composition of ovary from bluefin tuna showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) was the most abundant fatty acid and DHA: EPA: AA and DHA: EPA ratios were 19.3/4.3/1 and 4.5/1, respectively. Neutral lipids predominated over polar lipids (2-3:1) in ovary and triacylglycerol and steryl/wax ester were major lipid classes. In general, fatty acid composition of most tissues examined were similar to each other but, in contrast, the fatty acid profile of perigonadal fat was rich in monoenes such as 18:1n-9, 20:1n-9 and 22:1n-11, and DHA decreased significantly at spawning stage. The total lipid balance suggested for the disappearance of lipid from perigonadal fat depots and, to a lesser degree, from muscle and liver depots, reflected lipid utilization for gonadal development on the one hand and non-gonadal metabolism in the other. The former included lipid transferred to the gonad and lipid catabolized to provide metabolic energy for the biosynthesis of gonadal constituents and the later was likely to be lipid catabolism to provide energy for swimming during spawning migration. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tissue Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Penaeus monodon Fabricius Broodstock from the Wild

Tissues (hepatopancreas, muscle, gonad) of wild Penacus mordon females with ovaries in different stages of development and males were analyzed for Upid content and fatty acid composition. Hepatopancreatic tissue had the highest mean levels of lipid at 15.72–25.20% in females and averaged 46.20 ± 1.53% in males. Levels of Lipid in the muscle were low with no marked variation throughout the maturation s-es. Ovarian lipid levels increased significantly at stage II (early maturing ovaries) and remained high through stage IV (fully mature ovaries). Peak lipid level was found at stage III (late maturing ovaries) and coincided with a decline in hepatopancreas lipid. Ovarian and hepatopancreatic lipids declined drastically in spent females. Profiles of fatty acid in the tissues consistently showed the presence of PUFA 204n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22611-3, with high levels in the polar lipid fraction of vitellogenic ovaries. These values were reflected in the male testis and spawned eggs. The finding suggest storage and utilization of lipids for maturation and spawning processes and that the phospholipids were mainly responsible for increases in ovarian lipids. The type of fatty acids present in maturing prawn ovaries is indicative of their importance in reproductive physiology.     

Lipid content and fatty acid composition in female American shad,Alosa sapidissima,at different stages of ovarian development under reared conditions

The fatty acid accumulation in broodstock influences the fecundity of spawners as well as egg quality. A comprehensive understanding of the lipid and fatty acid changes in broodstock during the reproductive period can increase our knowledge of the nutritional requirements in artificial breeding programs. The study assessed the lipid and fatty acid compositions of muscle, liver and ovary of American shad at different stages of reproductive development under reared conditions. The results indicated that there were significant differences in lipid content among ovary, liver and muscle. Mean total lipid levels in ovary, liver and muscle were 15.92%–10.87%, 13.62%–6.89%, 10.39%–6.11% respectively. During the development season, the total lipid content in muscle in stages V and VI were significantly lower than those in stages II and III. The total lipid content in liver in stages IV, V and VI was significantly lower than in stages II and III, whereas the total lipid content in the ovary increased significantly as the gonad developed and reached its highest value at stage V. From II to VI stage, the liver content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) decreased and the ovarian content of DHA increased, whereas the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) remained relatively constant. The content of C16:0 and C18:1n‐9 decreased in muscle and liver, but significantly increased in ovary. It is therefore suggested that the lipids were preferentially transferred from muscle and liver to ovary beginning in stage IV as the gonad matured. At stage IV, the lipid transfer accelerated, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, such as C16:0, C18:1n‐9, DHA, EPA and arachidonic acid, were selectively transferred to and conserved in ovaries.     

Ovarian re‐maturation following the first spawning in the Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne‐Edwards)

The present study investigated the external and histological changes in the ovary and measured the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) during the re‐maturation of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The results show that the ovarian re‐maturation cycle of this crab species can be divided into four stages, i.e. Stage I: the ovary had an X shape and appeared milky white or with a mottled buff colour, and the dominant gametocyte at the stage were oogonia (OG, 28.3%) and previtellogenic oocytes (PR, 31.6%); Stage II: the ovary appeared light yellow or tan in colour, dominated by endogenous vitellogeic oocytes (EN, 69.3%). The yolk globules of unreleased mature oocytes (MO) from the previous spawn were absorbed, leaving many vacuoles in the retrogressing MO; Stage III: the ovary appeared crimson red or deep purple, and although the main type of gametocyte was exogenous vitellogenic oocytes (EX), near‐mature oocytes (NO) could also be found in the late phase of the ovarian development stage; Stage IV: the ovary was ripe and filled with MO that contained large yolk globules. During the period of the second ovarian maturation cycle, the GSI increased significantly from the time just after the first spawning (P<0.01). However, although HSI appeared to decrease within days after spawning (DAS), no significant correlation was found between GSI and HSI or between HSI and DAS (P>0.05). Furthermore, the final GSI and the volume of MO of E. sinensis during the second maturation cycle were drastically lower than those of the first maturation cycle.     

海水鱼类亲体必需脂肪酸营养的研究进展

脂肪酸营养特别是其中的必需脂肪酸在海水鱼类生殖调控方面具有重要的生理作用。饲料中二十碳五烯酸(EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)以及花生四烯酸(ARA)含量在调控海水鱼类性腺发育、排卵、孵化率及仔鱼质量等方面作用显著。本文主要从必需脂肪酸需求量、对繁殖性能影响、对机体脂肪酸存储影响及对内分泌调控作用4个方面归纳总结了海水鱼类亲体脂肪酸营养的研究概况,并重点分析探讨了在内分泌调控方面的研究进展,同时对后续的研究重点提出了一些建议。     

Maturation and reproductive cycle of female armorhead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudopentaceros wheeleri</Emphasis> from the southern Emperor—northern Hawaiian Ridge Seamounts

ABSTRACT:   The stage of ovarian development and annual reproductive cycle of female armorhead Pseudopentaceros wheeleri collected from seamounts of the southern Emperor–northern Hawaiian Ridge in 1993 and 1995–1996 was investigated through use of the gonadal somatic index ( GSI ) and ovarian histology. The stages of oocyte development were classified into eight developmental stages (perinucleolus, cortical alveolus, oil droplet, early yolk globule, late yolk globule, migratory nucleolus, prematuration, and maturation) based on histological characteristics. Oocytes of different size and developmental stage were present within ovaries during the spawning season. Oocyte development appears to be asynchronous and armorhead apparently spawn several times during the spawning season. The stage of the most developed oocyte was used to classify the stage of ovarian maturation. The GSI increased gradually with ovarian development. Oocytes in the perinucleolus, cortical alveolus, and oil droplet stages were present in ovaries throughout the year. Early and late yolk globule stages appeared during August–September indicating that yolk formation begins during late summer. The migratory nucleolus through maturation stages were detected during November–January. Post ovulatory follicles were present during November–March, and GSI values rapidly decreased in February. Results indicate that spawning occurs during November–February and peaks during December–January.