Variation in Reproductive Performance and Egg Quality Between Wild and Pond-Reared Indian White Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus, Broodstock

ABSTRACT

The shrimp hatchery industry worldwide has placed immense interest on the production of closed-life cycle broodstock from farm stock. Unfortunately, majority of the studies have proven that pond-reared broodstock are inferior to their wild counterparts in terms of reproductive performance, spawn quality and post-hatching performance. In the present study, reproductive performance, egg, and nauplii quality of wild and pond-reared Indian white shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus, broodstock were analyzed. Biochemical analyses were done with egg and nauplii from both the sources, in an attempt to explain the difference in their performance. Results indicated better reproductive performance by wild females compared to pond-reared ones. The wild eggs contained higher total lipid, and vital HUFAs namely EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (Arachidonic acid). However, one of the dominant PUFA, 18:2 (n-6) was high in pond broodstock eggs. Biochemical analysis also indicated that glucose, carotenoids, and triacylglycerol content were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in wild eggs. But, egg protein and triacylglycerol content did not record significant difference between the egg samples. The percentage viable nauplii, nauplii length and triacylglycerol content were all significantly higher (P < 0.05) with wild nauplii. This study proves the better nutritional profile of wild eggs and nauplii in terms of analyzed biochemical components. But, as our knowledge on specific nutrient requirement for successful reproductive performance and offspring quality is limited, the better performance of wild eggs could not be attributed to any single nutrient. Meanwhile, it could be presumed that all the deficient nutrients collectively contributed to the poor reproductive performance and spawn quality.

KEYWORDS:

• Fenneropenaeus indicus
• pond-reared broodstock
• reproductive performance
• egg biochemical nutrients