SPERMATOPHORE FORMATION IN THE WHITE SHRIMP, PENAEUS-VANNAMEI BOONE 1931 - DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERMOLT CYCLE

Spermatophore regeneration was studied in Penaeus vannamei to deter-mi ne its relationship to the intermoult cycle. The spermatophore and spe rm mass arrive in the terminal ampulla during the night of moulting. E cdysis does not induce the release of melanized spermatophores. Sperm quality assessed by the percentage of abnormal sperm was found to be c onstant during the intermoult cycle. However, spermatophore colour evo lves from a translucent state (day 1 to day 6) to a pearly colour (day 6 to day 12) then a white colour (day 10 to day 14). Spermatogenesis is not related to the intermoult cycle and seems to be continuous in c aptive males.