Comparative Studies of Some Biochemical Characteristics of Seminal Plasma in Wild and Cultured Male Catfish (<em>Clarias gariepinus</em>), Burchell, 1822 Broodstock

Abstract

Purpose:In aquaculture, the most important aspect to consider is ensuring the development of valuable offspring by using high-quality gametes from fish broodstock. This research aims to compare the biochemical constituents of seminal plasma in both wild and cultured Clarias gariepinus broodstock.Research Method: Apparently healthy adult male Clarias gariepinus (n=9, 900±300g mean weight per fish type (wild or cultured), 49±8.5cm mean total length) were collected from fishermen on the Oshin River, Nigeria for the wild samples and from a reputable fish farm in Ilorin and examined for some seminal plasma's biochemical parameters following standard procedures. T-test statistics were used to compare the differences between classes. Findings: Higher values of most of the semen biochemical compositions were recorded among the cultured Clarias gariepinus with significant variations (p<0.05) recorded in the mean values of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-Cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-Cholesterol), uric acid, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, albumin, potassium, chloride and urea. Creatinine, glucose, sodium, and triglycerides, on the other hand, did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between cultured and wild Clarias gariepinus semen. Originality/ Value:The current study's findings on biochemical compositions could lead to more effective gamete management, higher yields, and improved semen suitability for short-term storage.

Reproductive Tract Morphometry and Evaluation of Fresh Wild African ‎Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Milt from Lake Alau, Maiduguri, Nigeria‎

“…In the present study, the weight, diameter and length of the testes was not significant between spawning and nonspawning periods. These, findings agree with those of Idahor et al (2014) and Yusuf et al (2015), but have slightly lower values in comparison to the study by Zakariah et al (2016), this could be due to the higher number of fish used in the current study. The testes and reproductive organs of C. gariepinus during spawning period as observed in this study were lobular and whitish as compared to during nonspawning season that appears smooth and pinkish (figure 1).…”

“…The age and body weight of brood stock has a significant influence on the sperm quality and may affect the success of storing sperm (Vuthiphandchai and Zohar, 2007;Azlina et al, 2011;Dominic and Abiodun, 2014). In this study, there was a significant (p˂ 0.05) positive correlation between body weight of fish and milt volume in spawning and nonspawning seasons which corresponded with a similar finding by Gjerde (1984) and Yusuf et al (2015); who has also reported a positive correlation between volume of milt and body size (weight and length) in Atlantic salmon (Salmosalar) and rainbow trout and the later on cultured African catfish which signifies that higher body weight fish tends to have an increased in the volume of milt than lower body weight fish, or probably due to physiological constraints (Stockley et al, 1996).…”

“…Other variation in milt traits were not significant, but in comparison to other studies, all mean characteristics of pre-diluted milt measured (progressive individual sperm motility, livability and morphologic abnormalities) agrees with the findings (≥85%progressive motility) reported by Adeyemo et al (2007), the mean progressive individual motility was higher than what was obtained by Ofelia et al (2012), which may be attributed to the fact that sperm motility for the freshly collected semen from healthy brood stock is usually between 90-100% motility provided that the sperm sample was not activated or contaminated by water, urine or any external medium while sampling was carried out as reported by Saeed et al (2010). The mean volume (3.6 ± 1.1 ml and 3.3±1.1) of milt and the mean pH (6.6 ± 0.3 and 6.6 ± 0.2 pH) which was slightly acidic in spawning and nonspawning periods obtained were similar to the observation made by Orlu and Ogbalu (2011) and Yusuf et al (2015) in wild African catfish species. The sperm quality index is predictive of fertility and hatchability among females.…”