Larval growth of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.) produced with fresh and cryopreserved sperm

The present paper assesses the fertilization and hatching rates, as well as the growth, of larvae obtained from four artificial fertilizations (AF) using fresh and cryopreserved sperm of the turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.). Larvae growth in both sperm groups, measured in terms of length and weight at culture days 0, 7, 14 and 31, are compared, as well as their growth rates. The two groups' fertilization and hatching rates were not significantly different. Likewise, no significant differences in length and wet weight of 7‐ and 14‐day‐old larvae were found using fresh and cryopreserved sperm; however, significant differences were found in 31‐day‐old larvae, which were more attributable to the variability inherent in larval turbot culture, and to variability in the reproductive specimens used in our study, than to the type of sperm employed. These results indicate that the type of sperm used in artificial fertilization, i.e. fresh or cryopreserved, is not a determining factor, either for fertilization and hatching, or for subsequent larval development. Our results also confirm once again the high quality of cryopreserved turbot sperm, and its usefulness in commercial hatcheries.     

Cryopreservation of turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.) sperm: fertilization and hatching rates

The present paper assesses the fertilization and hatching rates of an artificial fertilization series (n=1153) using fresh and cryopreserved sperm from 49 specimens of turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.), carried out to confirm the results of a previous study, with the ultimate aim of transferring these cryo‐preservation techniques to commercial hatcheries. No significant differences were found between the fertilization rates of the two groups (fresh and cryopreserved sperm) when their respective fertility rates were >69.2%, which was the case in 75% of all fertilizations. Likewise, no significant differences in hatching rates were found. In order to use the cryopreserved sperm more efficiently, a key concern for commercial use of this technique, we also experimented with a lower sperm:diluent ratio (1:1) than used previously at our centre. We also compared the traditional 0.5‐mL straws with 2‐mL cryotubes able to contain a higher volume of sperm, finding no significant differences in the resulting fertilization and hatching rates. In conclusion, the use of cryopreservation for turbot sperm presents major advantages for broodstock management in commercial hatcheries.     

Growth and survival of olive barb,Puntius sarana (Hamilton 1822) larvae produced with cryopreserved versus fresh sperm

Despite the success in fertilization and hatching of fish eggs with cryopreserved sperm, report on growth and survival of larvae produced from frozen‐thawed sperm is inadequate. The study evaluates the applicability of cryopreserved sperm for mass seed production by comparing the growth and survival of a popular food‐fish olive barb, Puntius sarana (Hamilton 1822) larvae produced from cryopreserved and fresh sperm. The eggs were artificially fertilized with cryopreserved and freshly collected sperm, and the growth and survival of produced larvae from both group recorded up to 12 weeks. The independent sample t‐test statistic showed the difference in lengths, t(718) = 0.241; P = 0.810 and weights, t(718) = 0.412; P = 0.680 were insignificant between two groups. There was also no significant difference, t(718) = ?0.758, P = 0.448 in survival of larvae produced from cryopreserved and freshly collected sperm. The study indicates that larvae of olive barb produced from cryopreserved sperm are equally compatible in growth and survival as the larvae produced from fresh sperm. Therefore, cryopreserved sperm can be applied for artificial fertilization of P. sarana to supply quality seed for aquaculture.     

Body growth, mitochondrial enzymatic capacities and aspects of the antioxidant system and redox balance under calorie restriction in young turbot (Scophthalmus maximus, L.)

Calorie restriction (CR) without undernutrition has been found to enhance stress resistance and life span in endotherms and ectotherms. We investigated the effect of 30% reduction in food offering on growth, aerobic capacities and oxidative stress parameters in young turbot (Scophthalmus maximus, L.). No differences in body weight, length and hepatosomatic index between the ad libitum (AL)-fed and the CR group occurred after 55 days of diet application. Of the mitochondrial marker enzymes, only citrate synthase (CS) activity in the liver was reduced under CR, whereas muscle CS activity and cytochrome oxidase (CCO) activity in both tissues remained the same in both feeding groups. The concentration of reduced glutathione increased significantly during feeding in muscle of CR fish, resulting in a more reduced glutathione redox ratio (GSH/GSSG) compared with AL fish muscle. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive lipid hydroperoxides (lipid peroxidation) but not protein carbonyl content (protein oxidation) was significantly reduced in CR fish muscle. Liver oxidative stress parameters did not vary significantly between experimental feeding groups. We conclude that 30% CR over 8 weeks has no adverse effect on young turbot. On the contrary, CR supports a reduced tissue oxidation state and reduces accumulation of lipid peroxidation products in muscle at sustained muscular aerobic capacity.     

Effect of storage time and cryoprotectant concentrations on the fertilization rate and hatching rate of cryopreserved sperm in red seabream (Pagrus major Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)

This study examined the effects of storage time and cryoprotectant concentrations on the post‐thaw sperm of red seabream, Pagrus major. Sperm treated with 12%, 15%, 18% and 21% DMSO were cryopreserved for 10, 30, 60 and 360 days, and fertilization and hatching rates were analysed. For all groups, there were no differences in the fertilization rates and hatching rates between sperm cryopreserved for <60 days and fresh sperm (98.8±0.8%, 96.4±1.3%). However, for sperm cryopreserved for 360 days, both fertilization rates (88.6±3.0% to 7.0±1.9%) and hatching rates (79.4±7.2% to 3.3±0.8%) decreased drastically. Furthermore, the cryoprotectant concentrations affected sperm quality significantly (P<0.05). When cryopreserved for 360 days, sperm treated with 15% DMSO obtained the best results compared with other concentrations. We suggest that 15% DMSO may be an effective cryoprotectant for long‐term sperm cryopreservation of red seabream.     

Finding suitable growth models for turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) in aquaculture 1 (length application)

Growth data of two different commercial turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) strains reared in recirculating aquaculture systems were analysed with the aim to determine the most suitable model for turbot. To assess the model performance three different criteria were used: (1) The mean percentage deviation between the estimated length and actual length; (2) the residual standard error with corresponding degrees of freedom and (3) the Akaike information criterion. The analyses were carried out for each strain separately, for sexes within strains and for a pooled data set containing both strains and sexes. We tested a pre‐selection of six models, containing three to four parameters. Models were of monomolecular shape or sigmoid shape with a flexible point of inflection including the special case of monomolecular shape in defined cases of their parameters. The 4‐parametric Schnute model achieved best fit in 62% of all cases and criteria tested, followed by the also 4‐parametric generalized Michaelis–Menten equation in 48% and the 4‐parametric Janoschek model (38%). The von Bertalanffy growth function achieved only 29%, Brody 24% and a new flexible function 19% best fit. In a 1–1000 day growth‐simulation sigmoid shaped curves were produced by the Schnute model in 71% of cases. The Janoschek and the Michaelis–Menten model each produced sigmoid curves in 57% of all cases. This indicates that a flexible 4‐parametric function reflects the growth curve of turbot the best and that this curve is rather sigmoid than monomolecular shaped.     

Comparative growth of cultured blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, M. trossulus and their hybrids, in naturally occurring mixed-species stocks

In Atlantic Canada, both Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus occur naturally in sympatric populations and readily hybridize forming genotypically complex assemblages that vary widely in relative species composition throughout the region. We monitored growth in single year‐class cohorts of rope‐cultured Mytilus spp. during a 14‐month period from sleeving of seed to harvest at three commercial mussel farms in Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. Electrophoretic variation at the mannose phosphate isomerase (Mpi) enzyme locus was used to categorize the two species (M. edulis and M. trossulus) and their hybrids. Seed populations varied significantly among sites in relative proportions of each species and hybrids. Growth in shell length, wet weight and shell weight varied significantly with Mpi genotype at all three farm sites. Growth in flesh weight varied significantly with Mpi genotype at two of the three sites. Growth rates for all weight variables were consistently significantly greater in M. edulis than in sympatric M. trossulus. Growth in shell length was significantly different between sympatric M. edulis and M. trossulus at only one farm site. Growth rates of hybrids were typically intermediate between sympatric M. edulis and M. trossulus, but were often statistically similar to one or other of M. edulis or M. trossulus. We conclude that the production of rope‐cultured blue mussels in Atlantic Canada is significantly influenced by genotype‐dependent growth variation in naturally occurring mixed‐species stocks. Our results also suggest that farm site production may be increased and intrasite variability reduced at farm sites currently using indigenous mixed‐species stocks by substitution and growout of transplanted seed from unispecific M. edulis stocks.     

Production of inbred larvae through self‐fertilization using oocytes and cryopreserved sperm from the same individuals after sex reversal in eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

The eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica can change sex which makes self‐fertilization possible if sperm can be cryopreserved. In this study, small (~1 year old) and large (~2–3 years old) oysters were biopsied for sperm collection. Survival of the biopsied oysters after 1 year was 50% for small oysters and 17% for large oysters. Oocytes were collected from sex‐reversed females, and self‐fertilized with cryopreserved sperm. Of the 24 cryopreserved samples, 14 individuals had ≤1% fertility when crossed with oocytes from unrelated females, indicating that the cryopreserved sperm had reduced fertility. The other 10 individuals had a fertility of 39 ± 25% when crossed with oocytes from unrelated females (non‐selfing), but showed a significantly lower success of self‐fertilization (12 ± 16%) (P = 0.008), while aliquots of the same oocytes had a fertilization of 83 ± 11% when crossing with fresh sperm. Larvae were produced at day 3 in the self‐fertilized families (12–94% of the fertilized oocytes), and survived to eyed‐larvae stage at days 11–14. Genotyping with 9 microsatellite markers confirmed that the larvae resulted from self‐fertilization in four families. This study demonstrated the feasibility of creating self‐fertilized inbred lines of oysters by use of non‐lethal sperm collection and cryopreservation.     

温度对大菱鲆幼鱼生长及免疫相关酶活性的影响

将体质量(31.13±1.67)g的大菱鲆幼鱼饲养在容积100L的水桶中,每个水桶40尾,采用OKE-6710HF微电脑温控仪控制温度为15、18、21、24℃和27℃,在第0、15、30、45、60d进行采样分析血清中免疫相关酶活性及幼鱼全长、体质量及存活率。结果显示,在15~27℃条件下,大菱鲆幼鱼生长速度随温度升高先升后降;水温为18℃时,幼鱼存活率为100%,生长速度最快,为最佳生长水温。大菱鲆幼鱼血清中酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶活力,随温度及饲养时间的变化而呈波动性,但没有表现出显著的规律性;大菱鲆幼鱼血清中超氧化物歧化酶的活力随温度的升高先升后降;刚达到设定温度(即第0d)时,各温度组之间溶菌酶活力并无显著差异(P0.05),随着饲养时间的加长及温度的升高,溶菌酶活力不断升高,表明温度对大菱鲆幼鱼生长及存活率具有显著的影响。     

Long-term cryopreservation of spermatophore of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Long‐term cryopreservation of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, spermatophores using glycerol (Gly) and ethylene glycol (EG) as cryoprotective agents (CPAs) was studied. The tolerance of sperm to cryopreservation was evaluated on the basis of sperm survival and fertilizing ability. The survival of the sperm was determined by trypan blue staining, while the fertilizing ability was assessed from artificial insemination of the cryopreserved spermatophores. The rates of embryo survival on day 5 after spawning and of spermatophores capable of producing embryos survived to hatching were determined. Storage of spermatophores at ?20°C without CPA for a short period of up of 1–5 days decreased the sperm survival significantly and did not preserve fertilizing ability. Preservation at ?20°C in the presence of 10% or 20% Gly or of 10% or 20% EG offered a simple and efficient short‐term storage up to 10 days. For a long‐term storage, cryopreservation in the presence of 20% EG at ?196°C was more efficient than at ?20°C. High sperm survival rates and high fertilizing ability were recorded from those cryopreserved at ?196°C for up to 150 days. High sperm survival rates with moderate levels of fertilizing ability were obtained from those cryopreserved at ?20°C for not more than 30 days. The results indicate that preservation at ?196°C with 20% EG is a suitable procedure for long‐term storage of the giant freshwater prawn spermatophores.     

The development of size variation in Dover sole,Solea solea and turbot,Scophthalmus maximus: genetic variability between different geographical and among year class farmed strains

Growth and variation in size of turbot and sole larvae originating from different genetic sources were compared at different stocking densities, including genetically based information that might lead to a better knowledge of heterogeneity in cultivated populations. There was no effect of density on growth rate in either species. However, between the two sole batches there was an earlier metamorphosis of faster growing fish from Norway. In sole groups after metamorphosis, variation was stable and therefore no development of size variation was observed. There was no density effect on size variation within turbot batches before, or after metamorphosis. Spreading rate and growth rate were positively correlated in sole larvae indicating that growth of the smaller fish was not equal to the larger ones, but size variation followed a different pattern in turbot. No evidence for either overall significant heterozygosity excess, or deficiency was evidenced in the farmed strains of either species . However, significant differences between farmed populations in terms of genetic variability (θ) were reported, which was rather attributed to within differentiation than between strains. One could safely argue that different strains of Dover sole originated from different genetic sources (factorial analysis). Moreover, when the analysis was extended to individual loci to assess whether specific loci had any consistently larger, or smaller effect on heterozygosity, locus specific significant trends were discerned in turbot. A positive Heterozygosity Fitness (growth rate) Correlation (HFC) suggests that heterozygotes reported enhanced growth rates compared with homozygous ones in flatfish larvae, thus special precautions should be taken into account whenever different genetic structure patterns emerge, because of various flatfish broodstock geographical origin and year class samples.     

Nursery growth, survival and chemical composition of great scallop Pecten maximus (L.) spat from different larval settlement groups

Scallop Pecten maximus spat (1.3–2.1 mm shell height) from different settlement groups were transferred from hatchery to land‐based nursery at different ages and sizes. Chemical content, growth and survival were compared at transfer time and after 1 and 8 weeks of nursery growth. Growth was lowest and mortality highest in the first week after transfer. Mean shell height growth was 21.5–71.4 μm day^?1 and ash‐free dry weight (AFDW) growth ?2.7 to 10.3 μg day^?1. Spat from the first settlement group attained a larger size and weight than spat from larvae settled 3 days later, but had a lower daily growth rate (%). Keeping the late‐settled spat a longer time in the hatchery to reach a bigger size before transfer seemed not to improve subsequent nursery growth. Survival showed a large variation with mean survival ranging from 32% to 74%. A substantial reduction in lipid content was found after transfer to the nursery. Sterol content at transfer was the only lipid class correlating with survival in the nursery. Based on the results, it is justified that spat groups of different settlement age are included in production of 15‐mm great scallop spat if they are transferred from the hatchery at the same age.     

Experimental rearing of juvenile New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910): a potential new aquaculture species

Investigations into factors affecting the growth of the first hatchery-produced juvenile New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910) showed that this endemic flatfish can be reared in raceways and tanks. After initial high mortality (> 60%) in the post-weaning period (to 120 days post-hatch), the juveniles showed high survival over the grow-out period. Growth of the juveniles was better at lower (16–18 °C) than at higher (> 20 °C) water temperatures, and better in a deep tank than in shallow raceways. Under the experimental rearing conditions, growth (to mean weight of 0.2 kg in 20 months) was relatively slow and food conversion (FCRs > 1.4) relatively high, both factors being related to the feeding behaviour of this species. C. nudipinnis feeds directly from the bottom, and this behavioural characteristic influences aspects of fish farming practice, such as stocking density and feeding strategy, that are critical to its economic viability. There is potential to improve the growth by optimizing the rearing conditions, so that it may not be unrealistic to achieve the maximum growth reached in these trials commercially and produce marketable farmed turbot, of over 400 g weight, within 2 years.     

Optimization of dietary protein requirement for pond-reared mahseer Tor putitora Hamilton (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

A feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of six iso‐energetic diets containing 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50% crude protein (CP) on growth, survival and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as well as the protein requirement of an endangered cyprinid, Tor putitora. Triplicate groups of fingerlings with initial total length of 10.0–11.0 cm and weight of 12.0–12.5 g were reared in earthen ponds and fed diets at 5% of body weight for 120 days. Performance was evaluated on the basis of total length gain, body weight gain, survival rate, feed efficiency, FCR, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, energy retention, gross and net yield in kg ha^?1. Whole‐body carcass composition of fish was analysed at the start and the end of the experiment. Growth and FCR were influenced significantly (P<0.05) by dietary CP contents; higher growth and lower FCRs were obtained with increasing dietary protein. Dietary protein also influenced the whole‐body carcass composition of the fish. Higher protein and ash, and lower moisture and lipid in the whole body were observed with increasing dietary protein. Broken‐line regression analysis indicated that the optimum dietary protein level for maximal growth of mahseer lies between 45% and 50% (45.3%). Overall feed utilization and growth performance of the fish is comparable to that of other aquaculture species and the fish offers high potential for commercial aquaculture.     

Dietary protein requirement for young turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

This study was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein level for young (an initial weight of 89 g) turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L. Duplicate groups of the fish were fed the five isoenergetic diets containing the various protein levels ranging from 290 to 570 g kg^?1 diet for 45 days. Survival was not affected by dietary protein level. Weight gain and feed efficiency were improved with dietary protein level up to 490 g kg^?1 diet. Dietary protein requirement of young turbot using the broken‐line model was estimated to be 494 g kg^?1 diet based on weight gain response. Protein efficiency ratio was not influenced by dietary protein level. The highest protein retention was obtained from the fish fed the 490 g protein kg^?1 diet. Proximate composition of the fish was not significantly affected by dietary protein level. In considering these results, it was concluded that the 494 g protein kg^?1 diet with 100 g lipid kg^?1 diet (15 MJ kg^?1 diet) provided optimal growth of young turbot under these experimental conditions.     

Comparison of freshwater and marine performances of all‐female diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The performance of all‐female diploid (AF2N) and triploid (AF3N) Atlantic salmon were compared in fresh water, under commercial production conditions in 1995 and 1996 year classes. The performance of the 1996 year class was also assessed for 14 months in a commercial sea farm. Freshwater mortality was higher in the triploid groups. The majority of losses occurred in the early stages of egg development and during the first feeding period, when the incidence of non‐feeding fry was consistently higher. In growth studies, although diploid fry were significantly heavier during first feeding there were no significant differences in weight between groups some 8 months after fertilization or in presmolt growth periods from February to April in 1996 and 1997. Smolting rates were high (range 93.5–95.3%) and the incidence of deformities was low (< 1%) in both groups. Marine survival was lower in the triploid group, largely as a consequence of higher losses sustained during a period of chronic stress, when triploid losses were 9% higher. Growth patterns were similar for the first 11 months in sea water. Although graded triploid salmon were heavier in January 1998 (AF3N 1.62 ± 0.033 kg, AF2N 1.46 ± 0.36 kg, P < 0.05), when the fish were harvested in May 1998 diploid salmon were significantly heavier than triploid salmon although there was no significant difference in weights after evisceration (AF3N 2.40 kg ± 0.04 AF2N 2.49 kg ±0.03). The increase in weight of the diploids between winter and harvest reflects the growth spurt that occurs in maturing fish in the spring. Overall yields of triploid salmon in salt water were lower as a result of inferior survival.     

Effects of Cryopreservation on Morphology and Viability of Sperm and Larvae of Atlantic Cod,Gadus morhua L.

The effects of cryopreservation on the viability, morphology and capability of spermatozoa in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., were studied. The sperm was cryopreserved in straws using Hanks' balanced salt solution, hens' egg yolks and glycerol in the vapor of liquid nitrogen. Straws of cryopreserved sperm were stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed in seawater (35 C) for 8 sec before use. The motility of cryopreserved sperm was low (range 8–19%) compared to motility before freezing (range 69–76%). The fertilization rate (range 94–95%) in control groups using fresh sperm was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in test groups (range 48–72%). In cryopreserved sperm, a relatively high percentage (range 82–93%) of the spermatozoa had changes in morphology. Many spermatozoa had no mitochondria; when mitochondria were present, the observed number varied from one and five in cryopreserved spermatozoa, and from two and seven in noncryopreserved spermatozoa. In groups where cryopreserved sperm was used, the hatching rate was lower (range 18–38%) than in control groups (range 41–63%), indicating higher mortality during embryonic development. Paternal effects on progeny performance were noted in the proportion of abnormalities but no negative effects were identified in newly hatched larvae produced using cryopreserved sperm.     

Dietary nucleotides improve the growth performance,antioxidative capacity and intestinal morphology of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

A growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects and safety of nucleotides in low fish meal diets on the growth performance, antioxidative capacity and intestinal morphology of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). High fish meal control diet was formulated with 500 g kg^?1 fish meal. Seven levels (0.075, 0.15, 0.225, 0.300, 1.5 and 3.0 g kg^?1, respectively) of nucleotides were added to a low fish meal basal diet, which was formulated with 400 g kg^?1 fish meal. The eight experimental diets were fed to groups of juvenile turbot (initial weight: 6.0 ± 0.03 g) for 60 days. Results showed that compared with high fish meal control diet, low fish meal basal diet treatment had lower total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC), glutathione peroxidase activity, fold height of proximal and distal intestine, enterocyte height of all evaluated enteric section and microvillus height of mid‐intestine and distal intestine (P < 0.05). However, supplemented nucleotides in diets could significantly improve growth (specific growth rate, SGR), feed utilization, antioxidative capacity and intestinal morphology of turbot (P < 0.05). Broken‐line regression analysis of SGR and T‐AOC showed that the optimal supplemental levels of dietary nucleotide for juvenile turbot were 0.366 and 0.188 g kg^?1, respectively. In summary, 0.300 g kg^?1 of dietary nucleotides was helpful in improving growth, feed utilization, antioxidative capacity and intestinal morphology of turbot fed with low fish meal diet. Excessive dietary nucleotides (3.0 g kg^?1) might cause oxidative stress and morphological damage in intestine and then reduce the growth of turbot.     

Compensatory Growth of Pond-reared Hybrid Striped Bass, Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis, Fingerlings

Compensatory growth (CG) or “catch‐up growth” is a period of super‐accelerated growth following a period of suboptimal conditions (i.e., lack of prey availability or overwintering). Little is known about the CG response in pond‐raised fish and whether hybrid striped bass (HSB), Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis, might exhibit the rapid growth states or improvements in other production characteristics that may accompany the response. To evaluate the potential for CG in HSB culture, a 16‐wk growth trial in twelve 0.1‐ha earthen ponds was conducted. Approximately 2850 fish (mean weight ± SD = 3.2 g ± 1.1) were stocked into ponds and subjected to one of four cyclic feeding regimens. Treatment regimens included a control (0 wk, fed twice daily to apparent satiation) and cycles of 1, 2, or 4 wk of feed deprivation, followed by 1, 2, or 4 wk of feeding to apparent satiation. Fish in the 4‐wk feeding regimen were offered feed twice during the feed‐deprivation period (once every other week). Growth, specific growth rate (SGR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), intraperitoneal fat ratio, and condition factor (CF) were measured every other week, while overall growth, feed efficiency (FE) (FE = [weight gain/feed fed] × 100), and survival were calculated at the trial termination. The effect of these feeding regimens on water quality was examined by monitoring pH, turbidity, total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite–nitrogen, nitrate–nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus, and chlorophyll a weekly; total nitrogen and phosphorous biweekly; and dissolved oxygen and temperature twice daily. Cyclic feeding elicited CG; fish subjected to the 2‐wk regimen had a significantly higher SGR than 0‐wk controls during all but the final refeeding period. FE was higher for all fish in the cyclic regimens, although only FE for fish in the 2‐wk regimen was statistically greater (40%) than the controls. HSI was the most responsive measure and significantly decreased in the 2‐ and 4‐wk treatments during feed‐deprivation period and overcompensated during the refeeding period. CF also varied with feeding cycle and proved to be an effective nonlethal measure of predicting a CG response. No statistical differences in water quality parameters were observed. These data suggest that CG can be effectively induced in pond‐raised HSB and that the increase in FE warrants further research for practical application. Future pond studies with fingerling HSB fish should be conducted with emphasis on feed‐deprivation periods of 2 wk and refeeding periods of at least twice that of the feed‐deprivation period.     

Production and storage of sperm from the black sea bass Centropristis striata L

Black sea bass Centropristis striata L. are protogynous hermaphrodites that develop and spawn as females before changing sex to male. Since all fish eventually become males, determining the relationship between sperm production, sperm quality and seasonal changes in plasma levels of testosterone (T) and 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) could be useful for identifying appropriate males to maintain as broodstock. Milt and blood samples were collected three times during an 8‐week spawning season. Milt volume (3.5±0.76 mL kg^?1), sperm density (3.2 × 10⁸± 0.31 cells mL^?1), sperm production [11 × 10⁸±3.4 cells kg^?1 body weight (BW)] and sperm motility (80±0.6%) were at their highest during the first sampling interval and coincided with the highest 11‐KT levels (1.0± 0.11 ng mL^?1). All of the sperm indices decreased to their lowest levels during the final 3 weeks of the study. Sperm viability was highly correlated (adjusted R²=0.84) with sperm motility. Sperm cryopreserved in modified Mounib's extender (MME) had the highest post‐thaw motility compared with two other extenders. Post‐thaw motility of sperm cryopreserved in MME was not different from fresh after 90 days of storage. There was no difference in fertilization rates between fresh (69±2.4%) and post‐thaw (67±4.1%) sperm samples taken from the same male or among males. These results demonstrate that the quality of black sea bass spermatozoa is higher earlier in the spawning season and that acceptable post‐thaw fertilization rates can be obtained from cryopreserved sperm.