Effects of egg quality on normal fertilization and early development of the cod, Gadus morhua L

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Kjørsvik, E., Lønning, S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1983
• Subjects: Gadus morhua
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1983.tb02877.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8649.1983.tb02877.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1983.tb02877.x

Normal cod eggs respond to insemination by a rapid cortical reaction followed by an increase in total osmolarity and a small increase in egg diameter. The chorion becomes harder, but this is a slower process reaching its maximum strength after c . 24 h. Bad eggs are characterized by a slower or incomplete cortical reaction, resulting in a slower rise in osmolarity and a softer chorion. Bad eggs rapidly lose their capacity for fertilization. In unfertilized eggs in sea water, no cortical reaction is observed. There is, however, a rise in total osmolarity and a hardening of the chorion.