Effect of temperature on
sperm quality of captive Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock
M. Perez-Velazquez, W.A. Bray, A.L. Lawrence, D.M.
Gatlin III, M.L. Gonzalez-Felix-2001
Aquaculture, 198 (3-4): 209-218
Abstract:
Effect of temperature on reproductive quality of
captive male Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock was investigated by
measuring sperm count and percentage of abnormal sperm per compound
spermatophore. Variability in these responses among and within experimental
units also was evaluated. Male shrimp with an initial average weight of 48.0
g were maintained in 3.7-m diameter circular tanks with recirculating
seawater, and exposed to constant temperatures of 26°C, 29°C, and 32°C
for 42 days. Significantly higher mean sperm count (18.6 million cells) and
lower percentage of sperm abnormalities (36.7%) were observed in shrimp held
at 26°C, as compared to broodstock at 29°C (mean sperm count=0.1 million
cells; percentage of sperm abnormalities=99.7%) or 32°C (no sperm cells) (P<0.05).
Results indicate that adequate sperm count and percentage of abnormal sperm
of L. vannamei broodstock can be maintained at water temperature of
26°C, but not at 29°C or 32°C, at least within the time span of 42 days.
The importance of treatment replication and sampling sufficient numbers of
shrimp from culture tanks in experiments concerning male reproductive
quality is discussed.