Sperm quality over consecutive spermatophore regenerations in the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The reproductive potential of males plays an important role in the productivity of captive penaeids. Males present a large variability in their reproductive potential, and thus the selection of appropriate males for reproduction is highly desirable. The present study compares sperm quality at the beginning of the experiment (baseline values) with variations in sperm quality as a result of consecutive spermatophore regenerations. This was done to evaluate possible predictive criteria for optimal sperm quality based on morphological and biochemical criteria in pond-reared Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei males. Sperm quality was similar between left and right spermatophore. Sperm count and proportion of normal sperm increased by 86 and 65% (P < 0.05) respectively, from baseline values to third spermatophore regeneration. Proportion of dead sperm progressively decreased with consecutive regenerations, attaining values 33% lower by the third regeneration, compared to baseline values. This indicates that no decrease in sperm quality occurs in L. vannamei during consecutive regenerations and that the existing spermatophores at stocking of males should be expelled to have higher sperm quality in regenerated spermatophores. Furthermore, this procedure allows selecting individuals with high baseline sperm quality based on significant correlations between baseline and regenerated sperm quality observed in the present work. Baseline values of glucose concentration in the hemolymph were positively correlated to baseline values of sperm count (r = 0.3, P < 0.05). In contrast, baseline values of several lipids in the hemolymph were negatively correlated to several traits of sperm quality at first sampling (baseline values) or at first regeneration. These results are discussed in terms of nutritional requirements of males and of possible predictive criteria of sperm quality.