Abstract:
This study was design to develop an appropriate basis for the optimization of the
fertilization culture medium for In-vitro fertilization of banana shrimp, Fenneropenaeus
merguiensis. Three culture mediums were examined which are natural seawater (NSW)
as control medium, artificial seawater (ASW) and calcium free saline (Ca- F saline).
Natural spawning of F. merguiensis eggs were studied as well to compare the
differences in timing and sequence of egg activation event with the In-vitro fertilization
technique. The mean fertilization rate for In-vitro fertilization using Ca-F saline
solution was 4.33±4.04 %, lower than the fertilization rate recorded for ASW solution
which is 8.67±4.04%. Ca-F saline and ASW solution induce a slow egg activation
contradict with the sequence of event for natural spawning of F. merguiensis.
