Changes in biochemical and mineral composition during ovarian maturation in the spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus)

Variations in biochemical and mineral composition of muscle, hepatopancreas and ovary were studied during ovarian maturation in the spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus. Among the organic reserves in the muscle, lipid alone showed a decline during maturation. In contrast, all the organic reserves in the hepatopancreas declined in the mature and spent lobsters. The decrease in hepatopancreatic reserves amounted to 22.92% (lipid), 0.67% (protein) and 33.33% (carbohydrate) of the total of these organic materials deposited in the mature ovary. The decrease in energy reserves in hepatopancreas and the corresponding increase in the mature ovary indicates that hepatopancreas is the main source of glycolipoproteins contributing to the vitellogenic processes