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Animals
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Reproduction in Aquatic Animals
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Reproduction in Aquatic Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 10669

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Beata Irena Cejko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: fish reproduction under controlled conditions; hormonal treatment of fish; sperm cryopreservation and short-term storage; sperm and egg quality analysis; sperm aging analysis using in an vitro model
Dr. Agata Kowalska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Fisheries Bioeconomics, The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: fish nutrition; testing the nutritional quality of farmed fish meat; gamete quality testing; the use of a model organism, i.e. medaka, Oryzias latipes, in nutritional research
Prof. Dr. Roman Kujawa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Lake and River Fisheries, Uniwersytet Warminsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: freshwater fish aquaculture; reproduction of fish under controlled conditions; fish hatchery and feeding; larviculture; fishkeeping

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The reproduction of aquatic animals is a very important part of aquaculture. To date, most aquatic animals and fish species are reproduced under controlled conditions, which is important in terms of increasing fish production. The most important aspect of controlled fish reproduction is the obtaining of high quality gametes, i.e., eggs and sperm. On the other hand, the quality of gametes produced under controlled conditions is determined by numerous factors, e.g., water quality, diet, and health status. Since reproduction is a typical bottleneck in the practice of animal production, the assessment of gamete quality plays a vital role in aquaculture practice, quite often determining the outcome of profits. Moreover, the estimation of gamete quality is a basic tool for the biologist working with endangered species, where high-quality sperm or eggs are necessary to perform successful cryopreservation in relation to gene banking, sperm short-term storage, fertilisation, hybridysation, or molecular studies. The aim of this Special Issue is to stimulate a disucssion of and share information on applied reproduction in aquatic animals, focusing on the following topics: artificial reproduction; the management of collected gametes, egg and sperm quality assessment, sperm short-term storage and cryopreservation for improved reproduction, as well as the causes of reproductive failure.

Dr. Beata Irena Cejko
Dr. Agata Kowalska
Prof. Dr. Roman Kujawa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fish
  • reproduction
  • sperm
  • eggs
  • short-term storage
  • cryopreservation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 497 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Output Reveals the Maternal Effects on Offspring Size-Number Trade-Off in Cultured Asian Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica)
by Yakun Wang, Xiaoyou Hong, Xiaoli Liu, Wei Li, Chen Chen, Junxian Zhu, Chengqing Wei, Xinping Zhu and Lingyun Yu
Animals 2023, 13(13), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132219 - 06 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 840
Abstract
Offspring size-number trade-off is a critical component of life-history theory and is important for further understanding the reproductive strategies of animals. The relationship between this trade-off and maternal size has been explored in several turtle species, except for the Asian yellow pond turtle, [...] Read more.
Offspring size-number trade-off is a critical component of life-history theory and is important for further understanding the reproductive strategies of animals. The relationship between this trade-off and maternal size has been explored in several turtle species, except for the Asian yellow pond turtle, Mauremys mutica. To investigate how the maternal condition affects offspring size and number, we explored the relationships among the maternal body size and the number and size of cultured M. mutica hatchlings using a 4-year dataset. Our results showed that different females not only produced different sizes of offspring but also produced different numbers of offspring. No trade-off in egg size number was detected. According to regression analysis, we did not find that the maternal body size significantly influenced the offspring mass; however, we detected that the offspring size was significantly correlated with the clutch size and maternal age. The mean body mass of offspring increased with maternal age, and the clutch size varied significantly over four years, which was correlated with offspring size, maternal body size and age. However, the number of offspring per female increased with the maternal plastron length rather than age. Our results were inconsistent with the optimal offspring size theory in that females did not increase their offspring size but rather increased the offspring number to increase their fitness, which will also provide a basis for the efficient cultivation management of turtles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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11 pages, 2575 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity and Structure Revealed by Genomic Microsatellite Markers of Mytilus unguiculatus in the Coast of China Sea
by Xuelian Wei, Zeqin Fu, Jiji Li and Yingying Ye
Animals 2023, 13(10), 1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101609 - 11 May 2023
Viewed by 941
Abstract
The hard-shelled mussel Mytilus unguiculatus plays an important role in mussel aquaculture in China due to its characteristic and nutritive value. In this study, 10 microsatellite loci are used to study the genetic diversity and genetic structure of seven location populations of M. [...] Read more.
The hard-shelled mussel Mytilus unguiculatus plays an important role in mussel aquaculture in China due to its characteristic and nutritive value. In this study, 10 microsatellite loci are used to study the genetic diversity and genetic structure of seven location populations of M. unguiculatus in coastal areas of China. The results of amplification and genotyping show that the observed heterozygosity (Ho) and the expected heterozygosity (He) are 0.61~0.71 and 0.72~0.83, respectively. M. unguiculatus has high genetic diversity. The inbreeding index (FIS) of M. unguiculatus is significantly positive (FIS: 0.14~0.19), indicating that inbreeding might exist within populations. The genetic structure of M. unguiculatus is weak within populations from the East China Sea All results showed that genetic differences existed between the Qingdao population from the Yellow Sea and other populations from the East China Sea. It does not detect a population bottleneck event or expansion event in the populations. The results from this study can be used to provide important insights in genetic management units and sustainable utilization of M. unguiculatus resources and provide a better understand of genetic structure of marine bivalve with similar planktonic larval stage in the China Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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12 pages, 922 KiB  
Article
Effect of Different Activation Solutions and Protein Concentrations on Ide (Leuciscus idus) Sperm Motility Analysis with a CASA System
by Beata Irena Cejko, Sławomir Krejszeff, Agata Anna Cejko and Katarzyna Dryl
Animals 2023, 13(4), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040572 - 06 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1108
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare four activation solutions (AS)—Woynarovich, Lahnsteiner, Kucharczyk, and Perchec—with the addition of 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for ide (Leuciscus idus) sperm activation and analysis with a CASA system. It was found that ide [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to compare four activation solutions (AS)—Woynarovich, Lahnsteiner, Kucharczyk, and Perchec—with the addition of 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for ide (Leuciscus idus) sperm activation and analysis with a CASA system. It was found that ide sperm can be activated using each AS within a pH range of 7.4–9.0 and an osmolality range of 160–200 mOsm kg−1. The effect of Woynarovich and Perchec solutions supplemented with BSA and casein at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% were also analyzed during the experiment. These two AS without protein supplementation (pure solutions) were the controls. Woynarovich and Perchec solutions supplemented with the minimum BSA concentration (i.e., 0.25%) significantly improved sperm motility (89.05% and 86.63%, respectively) compared to the controls (20.39 and 28.48%, respectively). Similar increases were also noted in progressively motile sperm (PRG, %), the curvilinear velocity of sperm (VCL, µm s−1), and the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, µm). A similar trend in CASA parameters was also noted when casein was added to Woynarovich and Perchec solutions at a concentration of 0.25%. We concluded that 0.25% doses of each of the proteins were sufficient to prevent sperm adhesion to glass slides, and they can be used in research on ide sperm motility measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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14 pages, 4639 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Maturation of Meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) Reared in Floating Cages
by Rosa Zupa, Edmond Hala, Gianluca Ventriglia, Chrysovalentinos Pousis, Letizia Passantino, Angelo Quaranta, Aldo Corriero and Caterina De Virgilio
Animals 2023, 13(2), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020223 - 07 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1795
Abstract
The meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) is a promising aquaculture species that shows reproductive dysfunctions when reared in tanks. The aim of this study was to assess the capacity of meagre, reared in cages under routine farming conditions, to mature gonads and reproduce [...] Read more.
The meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) is a promising aquaculture species that shows reproductive dysfunctions when reared in tanks. The aim of this study was to assess the capacity of meagre, reared in cages under routine farming conditions, to mature gonads and reproduce spontaneously. Meagre adults, reared in a fish farm located in the Gulf of Taranto (Italy), were sampled from March to July 2021. The gonadosomatic index and sex steroid plasma concentrations increased from March–April to June, and then decreased in July. In March–April, most of the females showed perinucleolar or cortical alveoli oocytes as the most advanced stages in the ovaries, and most of the males had testes at early spermatogenesis stage. In June, most of the sampled females had oocytes at late vitellogenesis or early post-vitellogenesis stages, and males had seminiferous tubules filled with spermatozoa. In July, most of the females had signs of previous spawning, and males showed scarce amounts of luminal spermatozoa. The present study demonstrated the capacity of meagre, reared in sea cages under commercial conditions, to carry out gametogenesis and spontaneously release gametes. Meagre reproduction, under routine farming conditions, may represent an opportunity for the expansion of meagre aquaculture production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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8 pages, 2126 KiB  
Article
Embryonic Development and Survival of Siberian Sturgeon × Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii × Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) Hybrids Cultured in a RAS System
by Dorota Fopp-Bayat, Tomasz Ciemniewski and Beata Irena Cejko
Animals 2023, 13(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010042 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1922
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the selected stages of embryonic development in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) and hybrids of Siberian sturgeons and Russian sturgeons (Acipenser baerii × Acipenser gueldenstaedtii). For this purpose, embryos representing nine distinct [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to describe the selected stages of embryonic development in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) and hybrids of Siberian sturgeons and Russian sturgeons (Acipenser baerii × Acipenser gueldenstaedtii). For this purpose, embryos representing nine distinct developmental stages (stage 1—2.0 hpf, stage 2—5.5 hpf, stage 3—13.0 hpf, stage 4—20.0 hpf, stage 5—24.0 hpf, stage 6—26.0 hpf, stage 7—35.0 hpf, stage 8—55.0 hpf, and, stage 9—160.0 hpf; hpf—hours postfertilization) were sampled from each group (group A, group B, and group C) during incubation. Stages of embryogenesis were identified based on a 30-point scale of embryonic development in sturgeons. A total of 13 developmental stages were identified, including early cleavage, blastula formation, early and late gastrulation, onset of neurulation, beginning of organogenesis, and prelarvae. During gastrulation, the survival of hybrid embryos was highest in group B (93.8%) and lowest in group A (86.7%). Embryonic deformation was not observed during experimental incubation. The archived data relating to the embryonic development of Siberian sturgeon × Russian sturgeon hybrids could be applied to identify the individual stages of embryogenesis in hybrid sturgeons during egg incubation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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9 pages, 3309 KiB  
Article
Management of Genetic Variation in the Gamete Bank of the Endangered Lake Minnow Eupallasella percnurus, Using Genassemblage 2.2 Software
by Dariusz Kaczmarczyk and Jacek Wolnicki
Animals 2022, 12(23), 3329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233329 - 28 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1000
Abstract
The management of genetic resources deposited in gene banks requires knowledge of the genetic profiles of the gamete donors and bioinformatics tools to process this information. In this work, we show how to use Genassemblage 2.2 software in managing the genetic variation deposited [...] Read more.
The management of genetic resources deposited in gene banks requires knowledge of the genetic profiles of the gamete donors and bioinformatics tools to process this information. In this work, we show how to use Genassemblage 2.2 software in managing the genetic variation deposited in a bank of cryopreserved semen. Our demonstration was based on the leuciscid fish species, lake minnow Eupallasella percnurus, which is designated as endangered in Poland. The semen samples (n = 192) were taken from four Polish lake minnow populations and frozen in the gene bank. Fin clips were taken and DNA extracted. Across 13 investigated microsatellite loci, 21–53 alleles were identified in each population and 66 in the entire group of samples. The module “Management of genetic variation in gamete bank” of Genassemblage 2.2 software was used to find the set of samples that will preserve 100% of the detected allelic diversity in the next generation. Our results showed that a small group of 4–19 semen samples was enough to transfer all alleles detected across this set of samples. We, therefore, recommend Genassemblage 2.2 as a convenient tool for the detection of genetic differences between donors, the construction of optimal sets of samples for conservation of genetic variation, and for managing genetic variation deposited in gamete banks. Consequently, it can be used in breeding human-dependent populations and to optimize the use of genetic diversity in samples in the gamete banks. It can be especially useful for conserving populations of species characterized by low genetic variation, such as the lake minnow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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16 pages, 3958 KiB  
Article
Cryopreservation of Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus Sperm to Support Community-Based Repository Development for Preservation of Genetic Resources
by Aidan L. Huene, Jack C. Koch, Lucía Arregui, Yue Liu, Matthew L. Nicotra, Virginia M. Weis and Terrence R. Tiersch
Animals 2022, 12(19), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192537 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1632
Abstract
Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is an emerging model organism in which cutting-edge genomic tools and resources are being developed for use in a growing number of research fields. One limitation of this model system is the lack of long-term storage for genetic resources. The goal [...] Read more.
Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is an emerging model organism in which cutting-edge genomic tools and resources are being developed for use in a growing number of research fields. One limitation of this model system is the lack of long-term storage for genetic resources. The goal of this study was to establish a generalizable cryopreservation approach for Hydractinia that would support future repository development for other cnidarian species. Specific objectives were to: (1) characterize basic parameters related to sperm quality; (2) develop a generalizable approach for sperm collection; (3) assess the feasibility of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with sperm after refrigerated storage; (4) assess the feasibility of IVF with sperm cryopreserved with various sperm concentrations; (5) evaluate feasibility of cryopreservation with various freezing conditions, and (6) explore the feasibility of cryopreservation by use of a 3-D printed open-hardware (CryoKit) device. Animal husbandry and sperm collection were facilitated by use of 3-D printed open hardware. Hydractinia sperm at a concentration of 2 × 107 cells/mL stored at 4 °C for 6 d were able to achieve 50% fertilization rate. It appeared that relatively higher sperm concentration (>5 × 107 cells/mL) for cryopreservation could promote fertilization. A fertilization rate of 41–69% was observed using sperm equilibrated with 5, 10, or 15% (v/v) cryoprotectant (dimethyl sulfoxide or methanol) for 20 min, cooled at a rate of 5, 10, or 20 °C/min from 4 °C to −80 °C, at a cell concentration of 108/mL, in 0.25 mL French straws. Samples cryopreserved with the CryoKit produced a fertilization rate of 72–82%. Establishing repository capabilities for the Hydractinia research community will be essential for future development, maintenance, protection, and distribution of genetic resources. More broadly, these generalizable approaches can be used as a model to develop germplasm repositories for other cnidarian species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction in Aquatic Animals)
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