Evaluation of genes involved in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) female sexual maturation using transcriptomic analysis

The Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus is the most important commercial crustacean species in Europe. Recent decline in wild captures and a reduction in total abundance and size at first maturation indicate that the species is overexploited. Increasing knowledge of its reproduction, specifically at the molecular level will be mandatory to improving fisheries management. The current study investigated differences between immature and mature N. norvegicus females using Next Generation Sequencing technology applied to multiple tissues. Ovarian maturation-related differential expression patterns were observed for 4362 transcripts in ovary, hepatopancreas, eyestalk, brain, and thoracic ganglia in N. norvegicus. Transcripts detected in the study include vitellogenin, crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone, retinoid X receptor, heat shock protein 90 and proteins encoding lipid and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. From the study, data were collected that can prove valuable in developing more comprehensive knowledge of the reproductive system in this lobster species during the ovarian maturation process. Additional studies will be required, however, to identify potential novel genes and to develop a molecular toolkit for crustacean species that can be applied to improving sustainable future production.