Larval growth of turbot, Scophthalmus
maximus (L.) produced with fresh and cryopreserved sperm
O.
Chereguini, I.G. de la Banda, I. Rasines, A. Fernandez-2001
Aquaculture Research, 32 (2): 133-143
Abstract:
The present paper assesses the fertilization and
hatching rates, as well as the growth, of larvae obtained from four
artificial fertilizations (AF) using fresh and cryopreserved sperm of the
turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.). Larvae growth in both sperm groups,
measured in terms of length and weight at culture days 0, 7, 14 and 31, are
compared, as well as their growth rates. The two groups' fertilization and
hatching rates were not significantly different. Likewise, no significant
differences in length and wet weight of 7- and 14-day-old larvae were found
using fresh and cryopreserved sperm; however, significant differences were
found in 31-day-old larvae, which were more attributable to the variability
inherent in larval turbot culture, and to variability in the reproductive
specimens used in our study, than to the type of sperm employed. These
results indicate that the type of sperm used in artificial fertilization,
i.e. fresh or cryopreserved, is not a determining factor, either for
fertilization and hatching, or for subsequent larval development. Our
results also confirm once again the high quality of cryopreserved turbot
sperm, and its usefulness in commercial hatcheries.
(Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Culture Centre El Bocal, P.B 240
Santander, Spain)