DNA fragmentation in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) sperm: aquaculture and fisheries implications

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess sperm DNA longevity in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) using a dynamic assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) after sperm activation. Mature blue mussels (n = 57) in Vigo (Galicia, Spain) were obtained, specifically rope farmed blue mussels (n = 38) and wild blue mussels (n = 19). After the sperm collection, a subsample was assessed for SDF (0 h), while the rest of the sample was incubated for 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h at 15°C, assessing each time point using the Sperm-Halomax kit (Halotech DNA, Madrid, Spain). The Kaplan-Meier estimator, log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical analyses (SPSS v. 16.0), a = 0.05. The rate of SDF (r-SDF) between rope farmed and wild blue mussels over 0-6 h incubation was not significantly different (P = 0.278), but was for 6-24 h (P = 0.004). Differences in r-SDF were observed when comparing the means between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Individual differences in r-SDF existed among the rope farmed (P < 0.0001) and wild blue mussels (P < 0.0001). Wild blue mussels presented a higher DNA longevity than the farmed blue mussels. Selection of blue mussel males with a low level of sperm DNA damage and greater sperm DNA longevity may result in better fertilization and seed production.

Spermatogenesis and sperm assessment in the Black Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon

“…To date, the development of SCDt in invertebrate species has been limited to the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis (Kjelland et al, 2017) and grassphopper, Chorthippus parallelus (Gosálvez et al, 2010); there is currently no SCDt for any decapod species. Of particular interest is P. monodon, where Feng et al (2016) has recently reported the 3D ultrastructure of highly uncondensed chromatin in the mature sperm nuclei.…”