Effect of various concentrations of palm date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on spermatozoa motility of giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)

Abstract

The present research was conducted to investigate the effect of extender (Marine Fish Ringer, MFR) and a combination of MFR and palm date solution on spermatozoa quality of giant grouper (E. lanceolatus), two days after sub-zero freezing. The sperm was collected and diluted either with MFR or MFR + 6 % glycerol + palm date. Palm date concentration used in this study were: 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 % and 25 %, respectively. Sperm was then conditioned at 4 °C for 10 min and was refrigerated at -20 °C for two days. Thawing was conducted at 45 °C for 30 second. Data was analyzed either by ANOVA test or Tukey test. According to the ANOVA test, there was a significant impact (P > 0.05) of various concentrations of palm date on post-thaw sperm motility, compared to control (0 % of palm date). In accordance with the Turkey test, the concentration of 10 % of palm date indicated the highest post-thaw spermatozoa motility (76.70 ± 1.54 %) compared with MFR (68.03 ± 2.76 %). Our finding showed that 10 % of palm date was the optimum concentration.