Color and carotenoid content of egg in migratory Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum), in Shirud and Tajan Rivers (Mazandaran Pravince)

Carotenoid pigments have a proven and positive effect on fish reproduction success.This study was carried out to compare the carotenoid content of different egg color(green, yellow and orange) and its impact on fertilization rate of migratory Kutum ofthe Shirud and Tajan Rivers (Mazandaran Province, Iran). A total number of 117(45.92 ± 0.06 cm F.L) and 100 specimens (44.51 ± 0.05cm) of kutum were caughtfrom Shirud and Tajan Rivers from March till April 2011, respectively. The averageof egg carotenoid content in the Shirud (6.63 ± 0.28 μgr/gr) and Tajan (7.91 ± 0.27μgr/gr) specimens found significantly different. The results revealed that the orangeeggs have higher carotenoid content than green ones. In addition, the eggs of largerfish have more carotenoid content compared to smaller ones. Also, the resultrevealed, fertilization rate is not affected by egg carotenoid content.

Keywords:

Kutum , Egg color , Carotenoid , Migration , Spawning