Evaluation of the seminal plasma of captive and wild scale carp Cyprinus carpio var. communis in Kashmir, India

Abstract

 Evaluating gamete quality in fish is vital for aquaculture success. This study explores how the
habitat, whether wild or farmed, affects the physical and biochemical composition of scale
carp seminal fluid. Understanding these factors is essential for assessing the reproductive
capabilities of fish species. The seminal plasma contained 70.64±10.75 mg dl-1 glucose,
1.99±1.15 g dl-1 total protein, 12.99±5.6 mg dl-1 triglyceride, 5.98±0.629 mg dl-1 cholesterol
and 25.22±4.047 mg dl-1 urea in wild conditions, whereas in farmed conditions, the seminal
plasma contained 85.06±9.29 mg dl-1 glucose, 0.917±0.62 g dl-1 total protein, 12.3±5.22 mg dl-1
triglyceride, 5.53±1.161 mg dl-1 cholesterol and 28.4±5.75 mg dl-1 urea. The physical
parameters like mean sperm volume, mean sperm motility, mean movement duration,
mean sperm density and mean pH recorded in the in the wild fishes were 2.393±1.64 ml,
75.038±10.162%, 50.367±13.92, 3.534±.272 109 ml and 8.29±.494, while the parameters
in farmed fishes were 1.486±0.88 ml, 68.9±12.46%, 44.66±13.48 s, 3.84±0.181109 ml
and 8.5±0.311 respectively. In correlation matrix, the sperm volume (R2=0.247, p<0.01),
pH (R2=0.059, p<0.01) and total protein (R2=0.1882, p<0.01) showed significant positive
correlations with sperm motility. Wild brooders outperformed cultured counterparts
in several aspects, viz., milt volume, sperm motility percentage, duration, total protein,
triglyceride and cholesterol levels. However, cultured males exhibited elevated glucose and
urea concentrations, possibly indicating stress from captivity, handling, or confinement
and increased urea due to ammonia in ponds. These findings underscore the importance
of considering these parameters in standardising artificial fertilisation or cryopreservation
techniques for common carp spermatozoa.

Keywords:
Biochemical parameters, Cyprinus carpio var. communis, Farmed, Sperm motility, Wild