The researchers studied how different levels of protein in macroalgae affect the reproductive aspects and health of abalone. They fed adult abalone with three types of macroalgae diets and found that those fed with medium to high protein levels had more eggs and larger egg sizes. High-protein macroalgae also increased a specific fatty acid in the abalone's reproductive tissue. Abalone fed with low-protein macroalgae had more degenerated eggs. This suggests that feeding abalone with macroalgae rich in protein can improve their reproductive health.