Research Team: Team of Reproduction and Development in Fish

Place of Work: Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research

Keywords: Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Reproductive physiology, Circulating small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), Gamete quality, Transcriptomics

Research Focus:

My background in reproductive biology began over 15 years ago, sparked by a personal interest in breeding various species of aquarium fish and invertebrates. This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology at the University of Algarve, where I later enrolled in the Master’s programme in Aquaculture and Fisheries. For my thesis, I looked into “Optimising sperm quality in flatfish through algae blend fish feed supplementation,” under the supervision of Professor Elsa Cabrita and Dr. Catarina Oliveira.

During my master’s studies, I was awarded two research scholarships, which allowed me to work as a technician on the Breedflat project—examining the effects of algae feed supplementation on gamete quality and reproductive parameters in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)—and the Spermantiox project, which focused on the impact of antioxidant supplementation on gamete quality in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Additionally, I served as a teaching assistant for both Histology (Bachelor’s level) and Larviculture (Master’s level) courses.

My current research, as part of my PhD, focuses on investigating changes in circulating small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) in the blood plasma of pikeperch across two reproductive cycles (virgin and experienced fish). The goal is to explore the relationship between circulating sncRNAs and gamete (egg and sperm) quality. Through this work, I aim to identify relevant biomarkers of gamete quality that could pave the way for non-lethal methods of broodstock assessment in fish.

Relevant Publications and Presentations:

Félix, F., Raposo de Magalhães, C., Marrero-Alemán, C., Duarte, D., Parente, P., Fatsini, E., Oliveira, C. C. V., & Cabrita, E. (2025). Testis transcriptomic analyses reveal the effects of an algae feed on sperm quality in Senegalese sole during the breeding season. Aquaculture, 598, 741955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741955

Ramos-Júdez, S., Fatsini, E., Marrero-Alemán, C., García-Pichel, C., Parente, P., Medina, D., Castro, C., Cabrita, E., & C.V. Oliveira, C. (2025). The use of egg quality parameters to evaluate the effect of a diet supplemented with algae and antioxidants in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Aquaculture, 601, 742306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742306

Workshop on Reproductive Biotechnology in Flatfish Species:Trends in Breeders’ Management – Assisted in the planning,organization, and execution of the whole event.

Poster:

Oliveira, CCV; PICHEL, CANDELA; Marrero, C.; Fatsini, Elvira; Félix, Francisca; Duarte, D.; Parente, P.; Cabrita, Elsa. „Breeders’ diet supplementation with Selenium and Zinc or vitamins C+E modulate different sperm traits in gilthead seabream.”. Paper presented in 9th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes., 2024