Gamete Quality Research Articles

Gene Expression Profile of Oocytes Using Microarray and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Stat3 and Odc1 Genes in Sperms Linked With Their Quality in Holstein-Friesian

Identification of molecular fingerprints of gametes quality could be used as a foundation for finding markers associated with fertility of dairy cattle. Therefore, the current investigation aimed to identify differential gene expression profile in oocytes collected from cyclic healthy heifers (n = 16) of Holstein breed with estimated breeding value of fertility. The animals were slaughtered at day 0 or day 12 of the oestrous cycle. The recovered oocytes from high-fertile animals (H-EBV-F >100; n=8) were compared with low-fertile group (L-EBV-F <100; n=8) using cDNA microarray. Additionally, SNPs were analysed for two candidate genes (STAT3 and ODC1) in relation with sperm quality traits. The results of this study clearly showed link of candidate genes with fertility and progesterone profile during oestrous cycle. For example, gene expression profile of STAT3 was increased in oocytes collected from H-EBV-F animals at day 0 and 12 of oestrous cycle. While ODC1 gene was up-regulated at day 12 and down-regulated at day 0 in H-EBV-F compared to L-EBV-F oocytes. Moreover, association study showed that SNP polymorphisms of STAT3 and ODC1 were linked (p < 0.05) with sperm quality traits. Therefore, it could be concluded that ODC1 and STAT3 could be considered candidate genes that are connected with Holstein cows fertility genetic merit of the associated with semen quality of sires.

Influence of maternal weight, age, larval feeding and their interactions on the hatchery outcomes of an Indian major carp (Labeo rohita, Hamilton 1822)

Broodstocks’ size (weight or length), age and larval feeding are crucial in the production of good quality gametes and larvae in any fish. Therefore, this study was conducted with two experiments to understand 1) effects of maternal weight and age, and 2) effects of maternal weight, age, larval feeding and their interactions on egg and larval traits using the Indian major carp (Labeo rohita). In both experiments, females were divided into two size groups based on their body weights (‘large’ and ‘small’) to obtain eggs and larvae. In experiment-1, parameters of egg quality such as egg weight, egg number, egg diameter, egg area and hatching rate were assessed, and larvae were reared up to two weeks with optimum feeds to evaluate their traits such as deformation rate, survival rate, total length and body area. In experiment-2, only the three-day old larvae were randomly assigned into two feeding regimes (‘everyday’ and ‘every other day’) up to two weeks to assess their fitness. The results revealed that egg weight, hatching rate, larval total length, body area increased significantly (P <0.05) and hatchling deformation rate decreased significantly (P <0.05) with the increase of female age, whereas only egg weight was linearly related to female weight (R2 = 0.47, P <0.05) in experiment-1. The experiment-2 showed that everyday fed larvae had significantly (P <0.05) higher survival rate, total length and body area than those fed every other day. The dietary treatment found no significant effects of maternal age, weight and their interactions with larval feeding. Thus, the study showed that maternal body weight, age and larval feeding may influence some traits of egg and larval fitness. The overall findings suggest that maternal weight, age and regular larval feeding must be considered to produce good quality of gametes and larvae for sustainable production of this species.

Mitochondria: their role in spermatozoa and in male infertility.

The best-known role of spermatozoa is to fertilize the oocyte and to transmit the paternal genome to offspring. These highly specialized cells have a unique structure consisting of all the elements absolutely necessary to each stage of fertilization and to embryonic development. Mature spermatozoa are made up of a head with the nucleus, a neck, and a flagellum that allows motility and that contains a midpiece with a mitochondrial helix. Mitochondria are central to cellular energy production but they also have various other functions. Although mitochondria are recognized as essential to spermatozoa, their exact pathophysiological role and their functioning are complex. Available literature relative to mitochondria in spermatozoa is dense and contradictory in some cases. Furthermore, mitochondria are only indirectly involved in cytoplasmic heredity as their DNA, the paternal mitochondrial DNA, is not transmitted to descendants. This review aims to summarize available literature on mitochondria in spermatozoa, and, in particular, that with respect to humans, with the perspective of better understanding the anomalies that could be implicated in male infertility. PubMed was used to search the MEDLINE database for peer-reviewed original articles and reviews pertaining to human spermatozoa and mitochondria. Searches were performed using keywords belonging to three groups: 'mitochondria' or 'mitochondrial DNA', 'spermatozoa' or 'sperm' and 'reactive oxygen species' or 'calcium' or 'apoptosis' or signaling pathways'. These keywords were combined with other relevant search phrases. References from these articles were used to obtain additional articles. Mitochondria are central to the metabolism of spermatozoa and they are implicated in energy production, redox equilibrium and calcium regulation, as well as apoptotic pathways, all of which are necessary for flagellar motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction and gametic fusion. In numerous cases, alterations in one of the aforementioned functions could be linked to a decline in sperm quality and/or infertility. The link between the mitochondrial genome and the quality of spermatozoa appears to be more complex. Although the quantity of mtDNA, and the existence of large-scale deletions therein, are inversely correlated to sperm quality, the effects of mutations seem to be heterogeneous and particularly related to their pathogenicity. The importance of the role of mitochondria in reproduction, and particularly in gamete quality, has recently emerged following numerous publications. Better understanding of male infertility is of great interest in the current context where a significant decline in sperm quality has been observed.

Wild Salmo trutta labrax from the Bıçkı Stream in the Marmara Region: Gamete Quality and First Reproduction Under Aquaculture Conditions

In this study, the quality and reproductive success of wild Black Sea Trout (Salmo trutta labrax) were investigated. In total 32 wild trout (27.3±13.6 g and 13.9±2.3 cm) from the Bıçkı Stream in Kocaeli Province in the Marmara Region were kept in circular fiberglass outdoor flow-through tanks (1.5m ø) at the mean water temperature of 11.8±4.5 °C. In November 2016, when the water temperature was 8.4 °C, the first spawning of wild trout occurred. Sperm volume (ml), Motility (%) and VCL (µm/ sec) values were determined to be 7.5±2.5, 70.42±0.83 and 70.35±3.98, respectively. The weight (g), total fecundity and egg diameter (mm) values of female fish were listed to be 513.75±78, 1.171±171, and 3.84±0.02, respectively. In the experiment, 5.859 wild Black sea trout eggs were fertilized. The eyed-egg stage occurred 24 days (288 day-degree) post fertilization and the survival rate from fertilization to the eyed-stage was 28%. Wild Black Sea trout larvae from P1 (Paternal Generation) hatched 48 days after fertilization with the hatching rate of 7%.

Amino-nanopolystyrene exposures of oyster (Crassostrea gigas) embryos induced no apparent intergenerational effects

Early life stages (ELS) of numerous marine invertebrates mustcope with man-made contaminants, including plastic debris, during their pelagic phase. Among the diversity of plastic particles, nano-sized debris, known as nanoplastics, can induce effects with severe outcomes in ELS of various biological models, including the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Here, we investigated the effects of a sub-lethal dose (0.1 µg mL−1) of 50 nm polystyrene nanobeads (nano-PS) with amine functions on oyster embryos (24 h exposure) and we assessed consequences on larval and adult performances over two generations of oysters. Only a few effects were observed. Lipid analyses revealed that first-generation (G1) embryos exposed to nano-PS displayed a relative increase in cardiolipin content (+9.7%), suggesting a potential modification of mitochondrial functioning. G1-larvae issued from exposed embryos showed decreases in larval growth (−9%) and lipid storage (−20%). No effect was observed at the G1 adult stage in terms of growth, ecophysiological parameters (clearance and respiration rates, absorption efficiency), or reproductive outputs (gonadic development, gamete quality). Second generation (G2) larvae issued from control G1 displayed a significant growth reduction after G2 embryonic exposure to nano-PS (−24%) compared to control (as observed at the first generation), while no intergenerational effect was detected on G2 larvae issued from G1 exposed embryos. Overall, the present experimental study suggests a low incidence of a short embryonic exposure to nano-PS on oyster phenotypes along the entire life cycle until the next larval generation.

A new mode of mechano-transduction shakes the oocyte nucleus, thereby fine tunes gene expression modulating the developmental potential.

Understanding the mechanism of nucleus positioning and the information conveyed by it constitute important research axes in Developmental and Reproductive Biology. In most species, the position of the oocyte nucleus predefines the axes of the future embryo. In the mouse oocyte, the nucleus is centered by a pressure gradient generated by a cytoplasmic actin meshwork nucleated by Formin 2. The discovery of this centering mechanism allowed to better understanding its biological significance. Centering the nucleus in mouse oocytes involves a novel mechano-transduction process, which promotes agitation of the nucleus and of its content, including chromatin, thereby modulating gene expression. This fine regulation of the maternal RNA stores explains why nucleus centering is predictive of the quality of the female gamete and of its developmental potential after fertilization.

Extreme temperatures compromise male and female fertility in a large desert bird

Temperature has a crucial influence on the places where species can survive and reproduce. Past research has primarily focused on survival, making it unclear if temperature fluctuations constrain reproductive success, and if so whether populations harbour the potential to respond to climatic shifts. Here, using two decades of data from a large experimental breeding programme of the iconic ostrich (Struthio camelus) in South Africa, we show that the number of eggs females laid and the number of sperm males produced were highly sensitive to natural temperature extremes (ranging from −5 °C to 45 °C). This resulted in reductions in reproductive success of up to 44% with 5 °C deviations from their thermal optimum. In contrast, gamete quality was largely unaffected by temperature. Extreme temperatures also did not expose trade-offs between gametic traits. Instead, some females appeared to invest more in reproducing at high temperatures, which may facilitate responses to climate change. These results show that the robustness of fertility to temperature fluctuations, and not just temperature increases, is a critical aspect of species persistence in regions predicted to undergo the greatest change in climate volatility.

Live birth achieved despite the absence of ejaculated spermatozoa and mature oocytes retrieved: a case report

The most common reason for in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle cancelation is a lack of quality gametes available for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Here we present the successful fertility treatment of the couple affected by obstructive azoospermia combined with suboptimal response to controlled ovarian stimulation. Since the conventional approach appeared ineffective to overcome both partnersˈ specific problems, the targeted interventions, namely, (1) pharmacological enhancement of sperm motility and (2) polarized light microscopy (PLM)-guided optimization of ICSI time, were applied to rescue the cycle with only immature oocytes and immotile testicular sperm retrieved. The treatment with theophylline aided the selection of viable spermatozoa derived from cryopreserved testicular tissue. When the traditional stimulation protocol failed to produce mature eggs, non-invasive spindle imaging was employed to adjust the sperm injection time to the maturational stage of oocytes extruding a polar body in vitro. The fertilization of 12 late-maturing oocytes yielded 5 zygotes, which all developed into blastocysts. One embryo was transferred into the uterus on day 5 post-fertilization, and another 3 good quality blastocysts were vitrified for later use. The pregnancy resulted in a full-term delivery of a healthy child. This case demonstrates that the individualization beyond the standard IVF protocols should be considered to maximize the chance of poor-prognosis patients to achieve pregnancy with their own gametes.

Sperm DNA fragmentation on the day of fertilisation is not associated with assisted reproductive technique outcome independently of gamete quality

The evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation has been postulated as a predictive molecular parameter of the semen fertilising potential, as well as the ability to give rise to a healthy embryo and an ongoing pregnancy. However, there are controversial results due to oocyte quality, the use of different measurement techniques and interpretation criteria. Our objective is to investigate if sperm DNA fragmentation on the day of fertilisation influences in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcome in a prospective double-blind study. Three groups of patients were defined: (i) 68 couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) due to severe male factor with normal ovarian response (NOR); (ii) 113 couples undergoing conventional in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in our oocyte donation programme due to ovarian failure; and (iii) 150 low ovarian response (LOR) patients undergoing ICSI or IVF. TUNEL assay was performed from an aliquot of each capacitated semen sample to detect DNA fragmentation. There was no relationship between blood serum β-hCG positive test, clinical pregnancy and first trimester miscarriage with DFI levels in NOR (p = 0.41, p = 0.36, p = 0.40), recipient (p = 0.49, p = 0.99 and p = 0.38) and LOR (p = 0.52, p = 0.20, p = 0.64) groups of patients, respectively. Therefore, ART outcomes are not affected by sperm DNA fragmentation independently of gamete quality.

Reproductive aspects of freshwater fishes exposed to pesticide-contamined environments: A systematic review

Fish are the predominant group of vertebrates in aquatic environments, and they are directly affected by the presence of contaminants in water bodies, which undergo changes in the structure and function of communities and dynamics of the populations. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of studies that analyze the reproductive aspects of freshwater teleosts in environments contaminated by pesticides. A systematic search for scientific articles was carried out from 2000 to 2019 using the "Web of Science" database, using the descriptors "fish reproduction", "contamination", "toxicology", "ecotoxicity" and "biomonitoring", combined with the use of boolean operators "AND" and "OR". The content analysis was performed based on the titles and the summary, with a first screening. Then, 98 articles were read in full, with 40 being selected. 24 species of fish were recorded, with a predominance of Danio rerio (17.5%). Insecticides were present in 78% of the studies, mainly Endosulfan (35%) and Cypermethrin (13%). Reproductive endocrine disorders were the most reported pathways of action (57.5%). The effects of pesticides on the reproduction of freshwater teleosts are evident, requiring studies on structural changes in gonads and a decrease in the quality of gametes.

Mitochondrial Functional Assessment in Mammalian Gametes Using Fluorescent Probes.

A positive relationship between mitochondrial functionality and gamete quality, ultimately contributing to fertilization success and normal embryo development has been established for some years now. Both mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production are major indicators of mitochondrial function, and the need for accurate biomarkers mirroring gamete quality highlights the importance of a precise assessment of mitochondrial quality and function. In this chapter, we discuss the use of some mitochondrial fluorescent probes coupled to flow cytometry and/or fluorescence microscopy to specifically assess mitochondrial ROS production and MMP in both sperm and oocytes. Furthermore, as the distribution/aggregation of mitochondria in the oocyte is of interest to determine its quality, a detailed protocol is also given. These methodologies are easy, accurate and can be safely applied in research- and/or clinical-based contexts.

101 Heifer plane of nutrition during the prepubertal phase modifies reproductive development in male fetuses

Maternal nutritional perturbation during gestation influences fetal development which, in turn, can affect postnatal growth, gonad development, gamete quality, and health of the offspring. The objective of this study was to determine whether maternal diet during the pre-pubertal phase would induce modifications in future male fetal reproductive development. Angus×Holstein-Friesian heifers (n=80) with a mean (±s.d.) age of 141±8d and bodyweight (BW) of 119±23kg had unrestricted access to a perennial ryegrass dominated sward supplemented with either 0.5kg of concentrate daily to achieve an average daily gain (ADG) of 0.50kg (moderate, MOD) or concentrate ad libitum to achieve an ADG of &amp;gt;1.0kg (high, HI). Heifers were offered these divergent dietary regimens from 4.5 to 8.5 months of age, after which they were all offered a moderate plane of nutrition. Heifers were bred to a synchronised oestrus at a mean age of 502±8.2d and mean BW of 360±46.7kg using semen from a single proven sire. Transrectal uterine ultrasonography was carried out 63 days post-AI to determine pregnancy and fetal sex; a cohort of heifers reflective of group average BW and age and carrying male fetuses were slaughtered on Day 100 of gestation (HI: n=10; MOD: n=12). Fetal crown–rump length and weight were recorded. One testis was snap frozen for RNA sequencing and the other was processed for stereology. Mean (±s.d.) fetal crown–rump length and weight were 19.5±0.69cm and 314.6±33.6g, respectively, and did not differ between groups. RNA sequencing revealed 45 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between groups, 44 of which were upregulated in the HI group. A total of 29 biochemical pathways were identified as significantly enriched (P&amp;lt;0.05), six of which were predicted to be involved in the development of the reproductive tract based on several DEGs. Histological analysis revealed greater (P&amp;lt;0.05) fetal testicular interstitial tissue density in the MOD group and a strong tendency towards increased seminiferous tubule density (P=0.06) in the HI group. In conclusion, offering a high plane of nutrition during the prepubertal period not only increases the rate of sexual development in the heifer but also induces latent in utero modifications to the testicular development of their subsequent male progeny. The consequences for postnatal development of male progeny remain to be elucidated. This research was supported by Science Foundation Ireland (16/IA/4474).

Роль внеклеточных везикул семенной плазмы в изменении морфофункциональных характеристик сперматозоидов человека

For a long time, the role of seminal plasma during human fertilization remained underestimated. Numerous studies related to the development of different methods for human embryo in vitro cultivation were gener-ally concerned with the quality of male and female gametes. However, in recent years, the development of Omix technologies provided a new insight into great seminal plasma influence on the morphofunctional characteristics of spermatozoa. This is especially true for the regulatory function of extracellular vesicles secreted by male reproductive tract cells. In this work, we attempted to analyze current data on the influence of extracellular seminal plasma vesicles on the morphofunctional characteristics of spermatozoa to solve male infertility topical issues. The review includes studies by foreign and Russian research groups that werу conducted within the past 5 years and found in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. Very few studies demonstrate that seminal plasma vesicles act as functional regulators of male fertility and their dysfunction may lead to infertility. The use of seminal plasma extracellular vesicles in clinical practice may significantly increase the success of IVF programs, especially in impaired spermatogenesis. Keywords: extracellular vesicles, exosomes, biomarkers, seminal plasma, spermatozoa, assisted reproductive technology, cell biology, morphology

Artificially produced gametes in mice, humans and other species.

The production of gametes from pluripotent stem cells in culture, also known as invitro gametogenesis, will make an important contribution to reproductive biology and regenerative medicine, both as a unique tool for understanding germ cell development and as an alternative source of gametes for reproduction. Invitro gametogenesis was developed using mouse pluripotent stem cells but is increasingly being applied in other mammalian species, including humans. In principle, the entire process of germ cell development is nearly reconstitutable in culture using mouse pluripotent stem cells, although the fidelity of differentiation processes and the quality of resultant gametes remain to be refined. The methodology in the mouse system is only partially applicable to other species, and thus it must be optimised for each species. In this review, we update the current status of invitro gametogenesis in mice, humans and other animals, and discuss challenges for further development of this technology.

Antioxidants in Fish Sperm and the Potential Role of Melatonin.

In recent years, the effects of novel antioxidants have played an important role in the research focusing on fish cell protection. As food demand grows, aquaculture production becomes more intensive, and fish are more exposed to oxidative stress conditions, like high densities, temperature shifting, frequent fish handling and samplings, and prophylactic or disease treatments, which expose fish to a different environment. Particularly in reproduction, germ cells lose antioxidant capacity with spermatogenesis, as spermatozoa are more prone to oxidative stress. Antioxidants have been used in a variety of fish physiological problems including in reproduction and in the establishment of cryopreservation protocols. From the most used antioxidants to natural plant food and herbs, and endogenously produced antioxidants, like melatonin, a review of the literature available in terms of their effects on the protection of fish spermatozoa is presented here in a classified structure. Several direct and indirect approaches to improve gamete quality using antioxidants administration are mentioned (through feed supplementation or by adding in cryopreservation media), as well as factors affecting the efficiency of these molecules and their mechanisms of action. Special attention is given to the unclear melatonin pathway and its potential scavenger activity to prevent and counteract oxidative stress damage on fish spermatozoa.

Ketosis and its role in Bos taurus reproductive impairment

The analysis of relevant and significant scientific research on the physiological and biochemical aspects of ketosis, and the main mechanisms of influence on reproductive function in this metabolic pathology is presented. Strengthening breeding potential and creating conditions for its implementation through modern feeding and maintenance technologies led to the spread of diseases of non-communicable etiology, including ketosis diseases. Ketotic diseases cause various disorders in carbohydrate-lipid, protein, water-electrolyte and vitamin-mineral metabolism. The monitoring of studies on the biological role of ketosis showed its effect on animal fertility, quality of female gametes and fetal development. When considering ketosis, it is important to understand precisely the mechanisms of influence, since many methods for diagnosing and combating ketosis diseases are based on their knowledge. The key mechanisms of ketone bodies formation, the reasons for increase in their concentration were considered. It is of great practical importance for development of diagnostic tests that make it possible to determine the direction of disturbances in energy and plastic processes. Based on the data presented in the studies, conclusions were drawn about the role of -hydroxybutyric acid as a direct factor in reducing the reproductive function of Bos taurus .

Apoptosis in the fetal testis eliminates developmentally defective germ cell clones.

Many germ cells are eliminated during development, long before oogenesis or spermatogenesis. In mouse fetal testes, the majority of germ cell apoptosis coincides with the onset of male differentiation, suggesting coordination of these processes. We studied fetal germ-cell fates and discovered that both apoptosis and differentiation initiate in clonally related clusters. Lineage tracing confirmed that germ cells die as clones independent of intercellular bridges, suggesting that shared intrinsic properties are apoptotic determinants. We identified transcriptional heterogeneity among fetal germ cells that included an apoptosis-susceptible population characterized by failure to differentiate, whereas successful differentiation to prospermatogonia occurred through the expression of epigenetically regulated genes, including LINE1. Our results indicate that the fetal germ-cell fate is based on discrete cell-heritable identities. Elevated DNA methylation in the apoptosis-susceptible subpopulation supports our hypothesis that earlier errors in germ-cell epigenetic reprogramming derail differentiation in cellular progeny, leading to fetal apoptotic selection that ultimately improves the gamete quality.

Sirtuins in female meiosis and in reproductive longevity.

Transmission of genetic material through high-quality gametes to progeny requires accurate homologous chromosome recombination and segregation during meiosis. A failure to accomplish these processes can have major consequences in reproductive health, including infertility, and development disorders in offspring. Sirtuins, a family of NAD+ -dependent protein deacetylases and ADP-ribosyltransferases, play key roles in genome maintenance, metabolism, and aging. In recent years, Sirtuins have emerged as regulators of several reproductive processes and interventions aiming to target Sirtuin activity are of great interest in the reproductive biology field. Sirtuins are pivotal to protect germ cells against oxidative stress, a major determinant influencing ovarian aging and the quality of gametes. Sirtuins also safeguard the integrity of the genome through epigenetic programs required for regulating gene repression, DNA repair, and chromosome segregation, among others. Although these functions are relatively well characterized in many somatic tissues, how they contribute to reproductive functions is not well understood. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the role of Sirtuins in female reproductive systems and discusses the underlying molecular pathways. In addition, we highlight the importance of Sirtuins as antiaging factors in the ovary and summarize current preclinical efforts to identify treatments to extend female reproductive longevity.

Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) on the spermatic quality of zebrafish, Danio rerio

Tricaine is a widely-used compound in the anesthesia of fish in both aquaculture and research laboratories. Studies on fish reproduction to date suffer from the impact of anesthetics used for euthanasia, especially the quality of gametes. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effect of the different concentrations of tricaine (0, 200 and 400 mg/L) on sperm kinetics parameters, structural parameters of plasma membrane fluidity and integrity, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial functionality, lipoperoxidation and DNA fragmentation index by flow cytometry method. Our results showed that the concentration of 400 mg/L tricaine (MS-222) can be used to euthanize Danio rerio even in experiments with reproductive parameters, for humanitarian reasons and avoiding animal suffering, once this concentration has not influenced kinetic parameters like sperm, plasma membrane functionality, DNA fragmentation index, reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation.

The Potential of Nereis sp. (Polychaete) as Prawn Feed at the Coastal Farming of Jeruklegi, Cilacap

Nereis sp. (Polychaete) belongs to the Nereidae family that lives as benthic organisms in estuarine. The high level of amino acid and unsaturated fatty acid in Nereis sp. is potentially used as a nutrient in prawn feed. These compositions increase the quality of prawn gametes and larvae. However, there is still less information about the nutrient composition of Nereis sp. in the Jeruklegi area. Therefore, a study about nutrient composition (chemical composition) of Nereis sp. in this area was conducted to provide necessary information for the Nereis sp. culture in the future. This study used a survey method, and sampling was conducted in four stations with three replications at each three-sampling point in each station. The result showed no significant differences in protein and fat composition of Nereis sp. among stations. The protein contents ranging from 42.06 to 51.68%, and fat content range from 12.93 to 22%. The high content of both protein and lipid are reliable to fulfill the requirements in prawn farming. Therefore, Nereis sp. from Jeruklegi has a high potential to be utilized as a new food resource on prawn farming.