Abstract: The nutritional composition of pre- and post- spawning Yangtze River- coilia meat was investigated to evaluate and compare the nutritional value of Yangtze River- coilia in different physiological periods,and found out the metabolism of nutritional composition during spawning. The results showed that the crude fat content was significantly decreased after spawning( p < 0.05).These two samples both contained such high proportion of fatty acids,especially the monounsaturated fatty acids. The composition of saturated fatty acids was significant increased after spawning,while unsaturated fatty acids composition changed differently. C17 ∶ 1,C20 ∶ 4 and C18∶2n6c dropped a lot among unsaturated fatty acids,which decreased by 97.72%,96.67% and 88.77%respectively.On the other side,the contents of C14∶1 and C20∶3n6 were significantly increased.The n-3 / n-6 ratios of pre- and post- spawning Yangtze River- coilia meat were 7.71,9.32,and the P / S ratios were 0.40,0.60. After spawning,the content of total amino acids was significantly higher. The contents were 60.00 g /100 g and43.17 g /100 g,respectively.The increase of His( as a semi- essential amino acid) was as much as 85.12%,which was the highest. AAS of pre- and post- spawning Yangtze River- coilia meat were all above 100,EAAI were157,161. The accumulation of K and reduction of Na after spawning was coincidence with the migration of Yangtze River- coilia. The Cu and Mn contents decreased significantly after spawning.Meanwhile,Yangtze River- coilia can also provide sufficient contents of Ca.