Re-stripping and seminal characteristics of pacu during the breeding season

KURADOMI, R. Y.; SOUZA, T. G.; FORESTI, F.; SCHULZ, R.W.; BOGERD, J.; HONJI, R. M.; MOREIRA, R. G.; BATLOUNI, S. R.; SQUASSONI, G. H.; FURLAN, L. R; MASCHIO, L. R.; ALMEIDA, E. A.

Congreso; 11th International Congress on the Biology of Fish; 2014

In this study we analyzed the semen characteristics of hormonally induced pacu in November (n=7), December (n=5), February (n=4) and from re-stripped males (first stripped in November and re-stripped in the December) (n=4). Sperm density, ionic composition, pH, osmolality were similar among groups. The semen volume, seminal plasma protein concentration and incidence of morphological anomalous sperm increased over time. On the other hand, some parameters associated to good quality semen, such as sperm motility and viability and DNA integrity decreased. Moreover, we observed a positive association between motility, viability and DNA integrity of sperm with elevation of 11-Ketotestosterone, but not with fshb and lhb mRNA levels in the pituitary. Semen obtained early (November) or from re-stripped males showed better characteristics than those collected on other occasions. In conclusion, collecting semen from pacu at the end of breeding season should be avoided while stripping early and then re-stripping later on seems an interesting approach for this species that may be used for diverse aquaculture purposes.