Patent ID: 7013836
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: A01K,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A method for maturing and releasing oocytes in a bivalve, said method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) administering to a living, intact bivalve an effective amount of a maturation stimulus comprising exogenous estrogen or an exogenous estrogen agonist; (b) allowing oocytes in the bivalve to mature in response to the maturation stimulus; wherein substantially more oocytes mature than would mature on average in the same time in an otherwise identically-situated bivalve that had not been administered the maturation stimulus; and (c) administering to the bivalve an effective amount of a spawning stimulus; whereby the bivalve releases mature oocytes; wherein substantially more mature oocytes are released than would be released on average by an otherwise identically-situated bivalve that had not been administered the spawning stimulus; wherein the spawning stimulus is selected from the group consisting of exogenous serotonin, an exogenous serotonin agonist, an exogenous serotonin uptake inhibitor, heat shock, sperm extract, or other spawning stimulus.