Comparative Studies of Some Biochemical Characteristics of Seminal Plasma in  Wild and Cultured Male Catfish (Clarias gariepinus), Burchell, 1822 Broodstock

Purpose: In aquaculture, the most important aspect to consider is ensuring the development of valuable offspring by using high-quality gametes from fish broodstock. This research aims to compare the biochemical constituents of seminal plasma in both wild and cultured Clarias gariepinus broodstock.

Research Method: Apparently healthy adult male Clarias gariepinus (n=9, 900±300g mean weight per fish type (wild or cultured), 49±8.5cm mean total length) were collected from fishermen on the Oshin River, Nigeria for the wild samples and from a reputable fish farm in Ilorin and examined for some seminal plasma’s biochemical parameters following standard procedures. T-test statistics were used to compare the differences between classes.

Findings: Higher values of most of the semen biochemical compositions were recorded among the cultured Clarias gariepinus with significant variations (p<0.05) recorded in the mean values of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-Cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLCholesterol), uric acid, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, albumin, potassium, chloride and urea. Creatinine, glucose, sodium, and triglycerides, on the other hand, did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between cultured and wild Clarias gariepinus semen.

Originality/ Value: The current study’s findings on biochemical compositions could lead to more effective gamete management, higher yields, and improved semen suitability for short-term storage.