Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used in quantification of reproductive output in the pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in Korea

Polyclonal antibody developed from egg proteins of the Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, was used in quantification of the eggs. Quantity of the egg protein was measured using ELISA and a weight-normalized gonadosomatic index (GSI) was then established. Histology indicated that the oysters collected from Goseong Bay, Korea, in 2000 initiated gametogenesis as early as late February and spawned mostly in late June to early July when water temperature reached 23-25 degreesC. A second spawning peak was also observed in late August and the spawning activity continued to late October. Oyster egg proteins could be detected by ELISA in all months except March and November; a few oysters collected during December and January contained a measurable amount of eggs. The highest monthly mean GSI, 0.423, was observed in mid-June, when the oysters were ready to spawn. The maximum GSI recorded in this study was 0.667. A positive correlation was, found between oyster size and fecundity; the number of eggs increased as oyster biomass increased (r(2) = 0.7497). Our data suggest that oysters in Goseong Bay produce 3-196 million eggs during the pawning season. The immunological method developed in this study was sensitive enough to measure a small quantity of eggs and considered to be method of choice for studying bivalve reproduction. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.