Using oocyte size to assess seasonal ovarian development in Solea solea (L.)

Maximum oocyte size was used to assess seasonal ovarian development in sole. Fish age, especially the adolescent period, appeared to affect the start of vitellogenin-dependent oocyte development in the annual reproductive cycle and the subsequent oocyte growth rate. The majority of oocyte growth occurred between September and March. Several other aspects of ovarian development were also age-dependent, including the increase in ovary condition factor (ovary weight/fish length3) and the size of oocytes commencing nuclear migration. Evidence is presented that in the recruiting year class of sole abortive maturation occurs where oocytes develop yolk but spawning does not take place. The implications of this study on the estimation of female spawning stock biomass are discussed.