Sperm Properties of Waigieu seaperch (Psammoperca waigiensis)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the semen properties of Waigieu seaperch (Psammoperca waigiensis). The physical properties of the semen were: semen volume 1.28±0.05 ml/fish, sperm density 31.35±0.67x109 cells/ml, spermatocrit 87.70±0.80%, and sperm count 40.12±1.68x109 cells/fish. The biochemical properties of the seminal plasma were 154.45±0.48 mmol/l sodium, 16.89±0.31 mmol/l potassium, 113.58±0.38 mmol/l chloride, 12.75±0.38 mmol/l calcium, 6.58±0.22 mmol/l magnesium, 1.15±0.08 g/l total protein, 346.37±2.71 mOsm/kg osmolality and 7.85±0.07 pH. Regression analysis showed a significant positive linear relationship between fish length and fish weight, sperm count and semen volume, and sperm density and spermatocrit, supporting the use of spermatocrit as a rapid estimator of sperm density in this species. Sperm motility parameters tested showed sperm motility, sperm velocity and duration of sperm motility as 95.80±0.389%, 144.50±0.96 µm/s and 232.30±2.32 s, respectively. The results from this study provide information on Waigieu seaperch sperm physiology. The values and correlations between the semen properties and the composition of seminal plasma may provide useful information for the formulating a species-specific extender solution for the cryopreservation of Waigieu seaperch sperm.