Lipid contents and fatty acid composition in muscle, liver and egg of the wild and cultured Paralichthys olivaceus broodstocks were determined by biochemical methods, to ascertain their effects on the reproductive performance. The results indicated that lipid contents in muscle, liver and egg of both wild and cultured broodstocks were as follows: liver > egg > muscle. The lipid contents in muscle and egg of wild broodstocks were significantly lower than those of cultured (P<0.05), while there were no differences of lipid content in liver between the wild and cultured; 21 fatty acids were detected in muscle, liver and egg. There were no differences of SFA in muscle between the wild and cultured (P>0.05), but MUFA was significantly lower than that of cultured (P<0.05). SFA in liver and egg of wild broodstocks was significantly higher than that of cultured (P<0.05), but there were no differences of MUFA in liver and egg between wild and cultured (P>0.05); The PUFA, especially EPA and DHA in muscle, liver and egg of wild were significantly lower than those of cultured (P<0.05), but ARA of wild was significantly higher (P<0.05); The ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA and EPA/ARA in muscle, liver and egg of wild were significantly lower than those of cultured (P<0.05), the ratio of DHA/EPA in liver of wild was significantly higher (P<0.05), while there were no differences of the ratio of DHA/EPA in muscle between wild and cultured (P>0.05). Results of this study indicated that, PUFA, especially DHA, EPA and ARA, could be conjectured to be essential to P. olivaceus during sexual maturation. Thus, in order to ensure the reproductive performance and quality of egg and fry, an adequate supply of fatty acids was needed, meanwhile, the proportion of several fatty acids, especially PUFA, also needed to be considered.