Olney, J.E. and Denny, S.C. and Hoenig, J.M. (2001) Criteria for determining maturity stage in female american shad, Alosa sapidissima, and a proposed reproductive cycle. Bull. Fr. Pêche Pisci., pp. 881-901
| Species | Development state | Trait | Primary Data | Secondary Data |
| Alosa sapidissima | Egg | Oocyte diameter | >1.6 [Hydrated yolked oocytes] | 1.6 mm |
| Alosa sapidissima | Female | Relative fecundity | Average batch fecundity (the mean number of oocytes > 1.6 mm per kg of somatic weight) was estimated for six hydrated/running ripe females and ranged from about 20 000 to 70 000 eggs | 1.6 thousand eggs/kg |
| Alosa sapidissima | Female | Oocyte development | Group-synchronous ovarian development | Group-synchronous |
| Alosa sapidissima | Female | Maximum GSI value | Mean 20.5, up to 35.4 | 20.5 percent |
| Alosa sapidissima | Spawning conditions | Spawning migration distance | As maturing fish migrate 100 km up the estuary to the freswater spawnig grounds | 100.0 km |
| Alosa sapidissima | Spawning conditions | Homing | Most sexually mature fish return to natal streams to spawn | Present |
| Alosa sapidissima | Spawning conditions | Spawning season | In most years, spawning begins in late February and ends in early June | ['February', 'June'] |
| Alosa sapidissima | Spawning conditions | Spawning period duration | 10-12 [In most years, spawning begins in late February and ends in early June, But spawning duration are unknown] | 11.0 weeks |
| Alosa sapidissima | Spawning conditions | Spawning release | Batch spawner: an individual female spawns repeatedly during each spawning season [Spawning frequency (every four fays) is preliminary] American shad probably exhibit indeterminate fecundity, contradicting previous studies | Multiple |
| Alosa sapidissima | Spawning conditions | Parity | Populations may be either semelparous in southern rivers from Florida to North Carolina or predominately iteroparous in more northerly rivers | Iteroparous |