ABSTRACT
The present study determined the effect of different polychaete extracts, namely, total soluble fraction (TSF), neutral lipid fraction (NLF) and polar lipid fraction (PLF), in the maturation and sperm quality of male Penaeus indicus. Three levels (0.25, 0.50 and 1.00%) of extracts were included using a 3 × 3 factorial design. Groups fed the basal diet (BD) and fresh-frozen diet served as controls. Extracts in varying doses and control groups did not have a significant effect on broodstock survival (67–87%; p = 0.960), maturation rate (42–68%; p = 0.615), inter-spermatophore period (8–10 days; p = 0.505) or sperm viability (97–100%; p = 0.819). However, sperm counts of broodstock fed BD (11.70 × 106 ±1.05 × 106 per spermatophore) and those fed diets supplemented with polychaete extracts were significantly higher compared to that fed with control fresh diet at 0.73 × 106± .09 × 106 (p = 0.001). Spermatophore crude lipid was highest in groups fed 0.25% TSF and 0.25% PLF of broodstock (p =1.0 x10−6 ). Inclusion of TSF (0.25–1.00%) significantly increased the spermatophore crude protein content of broodstock compared to those fed with other diets (p = 1.20 × 10−5). These results demonstrate that NLF and TSF extracts are bioactive components of polychaete which when fed to male P. indicus, can stimulate aspects of sperm production.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by Department of Science and Technology-Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program, Student Research Support Fund and SEAFDEC/AQD (FD-02-C0219T). The help of the staff from the Shrimp Hatchery and Nutrition and Feed Development Section and the advices of Dr. Fe Parado-Estepa and Mr. Vicente Balinas during the conduct of this study are gratefully acknowledged.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).