Zygote
- Zygote / Volume 19 / Issue 01 / February 2011, pp 63-66
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0967199410000122 (About DOI), Published online: 23 June 2010
Research Article
Optimization of artificial fertilization in the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)
J. Godwin Christophera1 c1, A.G. Murugesana2 and N. Sukumarana3
a1 School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore–632 014, India.
a2 SPCES, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi–627 412, India.
a3 School of Life Sciences, VELS University, Pallavaram, Chennai–600 117, India.
Summary
Determination of optimum sperm requirement in artificial breeding helps to improve the fertilization efficiency, sperm economy and minimize the sacrificing of males for milt. Quantification of sperm cells was done by spectrophotometer at 420 nm followed by haemocytometer counting. Best correlation (r2 = 0.97) was recorded. The minimum number of sperm required for optimal fertilization success in Heteropneustes fossilis was determined. An average fertilization success of 78–93% was recorded at 8 × 103 to 8 × 107 sperm per egg. The optimum contact duration of gametes was 5 minutes. The highest fertilization rate of 98.18% was recorded at 8 × 107 spermatozoa.egg−1.
(Received October 03 2009)
(Accepted January 22 2010)
(Online publication June 23 2010)
Keywords:
Correspondence:
c1 All correspondence to: J. Godwin Christopher, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore–632 014, India. Tel: +91 99766 05776. Fax: +91 416 2243092. e-mail: godwinj@vit.ac.in
