EFFECT OF 17-ALPHA-METHYLTESTOSTERONE AND 17-ALPHA-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE ON THE QUALITY OF WHITE SHRIMP PANAEUS-VANNAMEI SPERMATOPHORES

Controlled reproduction of penaeid shrimp requires a better utilizatio n of males by sperm quality monitoring and sperm quality improvement. Spermatophores of white shrimp Penaeus vannamei were improved, in term s of increased sperm count, spermatophore weight, and a reduced incide nce of sperm abnormalities by a single injection of 17 alpha-methyltes tosterone at 0.01 or 0.1 mu g/g body weight. 17 alpha-hydroxyprogester one did not induce a significant improvement in spermatophore quality. These findings indicate that a steroid injection program should be ev aluated as a practical way of improving spermatophore quality in comme rcial operations.