A Pretty Kettle of Fish: A Review on the Current Challenges in Mediterranean Teleost Reproduction.

Simple Summary: In the Mediterranean region, teleost species are facing diverse challenges resulting from the combined effects of climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The survival of these species and the overall stability of the ecosystem are closely linked to their reproductive success and their capacity to produce healthy offspring. Teleost reproduction is a crucial aspect in aquaculture as well since it ensures the productivity of high-quality animal proteins as an alternative to overexploited wild stocks. Therefore, deep knowledge on the factors influencing the reproduction of species devoted to aquaculture at different levels is necessary to propose efficient management approaches, aiming to identify sustainable farming techniques. To attain this goal, it is initially necessary to comprehend the molecular and physiological mechanisms that regulate various levels of the reproductive process in a changing scenario. The use of model organisms allows scientists to test specific stressors without external interference, thanks to their availability, easier handling, and biological characteristics. However, caution is needed to avoid overestimating their applicability to other species. The present review aims to explore the current factors affecting reproduction in wild, farmed, and model teleosts. The Mediterranean region is facing several environmental changes and pollution issues. Teleosts are particularly sensitive to these challenges due to their intricate reproductive biology and reliance on specific environmental cues for successful reproduction. Wild populations struggle with the triad of climate change, environmental contamination, and overfishing, which can deeply affect reproductive success and population dynamics. In farmed species, abiotic factors affecting reproduction are easier to control, whereas finding alternatives to conventional diets for farmed teleosts is crucial for enhancing broodstock health, reproductive success, and the sustainability of the aquaculture sector. Addressing these challenges involves ongoing research into formulating specialized diets, optimizing feeding strategies, and developing alternative and sustainable feed ingredients. To achieve a deeper comprehension of these challenges, studies employing model species have emerged as pivotal tools. These models offer advantages in understanding reproductive mechanisms due to their well-defined physiology, genetic tractability, and ease of manipulation. Yet, while providing invaluable insights, their applicability to diverse species remains constrained by inherent variations across taxa and oversimplification of complex environmental interactions, thus limiting the extrapolation of the scientific findings. Bridging these gaps necessitates multidisciplinary approaches, emphasizing conservation efforts for wild species and tailored nutritional strategies for aquaculture, thereby fostering sustainable teleost reproduction in the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]