The knowledge and control of the factors that affect maternal transport of nutrients to developing embryos, as well as the criteria for assessing the quality of the eggs produced and the broodstock fitness, are of paramount importance for the reproductive success of any particular species which are relevant for aquaculture. The factors that can act as determinants of the quality of the progeny as well as the possible indicators of both the quality of the eggs and the broodfish physiology are described and discussed. Emphasis has been paid to the role of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), which are enclosed into the formulated diets provided to broodfish, in the quality of the eggs and larvae obtained.