Dual-Axis innovation in sea cucumber aquaculture: a high-efficiency spawning protocol for Holothuria leucospilota and sex-specific mechanistic insights into stress adaptation
The global overexploitation of tropical sea cucumber populations has increased the commercial importance of Holothuria leucospilota, a species recognized for its edible, medicinal, and ecological values. Restocking and aquaculture of H. leucospilota using hatchery-produced seeds could both enhance declining wild populations and provide sufficient beche-de-mer products to satisfy increasing market demand. However, prevailing obstacles in H. leucospilota aquaculture persist in suboptimal spawning induction efficiency during artificial breeding. This study systematically optimized broodstock spawning induction protocols and investigated the underlying mechanisms governing reproductive processes.