Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation in broodstock feed on sperm quality of African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The effect of dietary L-ascorbic acid concentration on reproductive performance was investigated in catfish Ganas gariepinus. Broodstocks of average weight of 275±25g were fed diets supplemented with four concentrations 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg kg⁻¹ L-ascorbic acid powder for eight weeks. Fish fed supplemented diets showed significantly improved reproductive performance over the control (0 mg kg⁻¹ L-ascorbic acid) diet. Motility duration was highest in fish fed with 1000 mg/kg of dietary L-ascorbic acid and lowest in fish fed with 0.00 mg/kg of dietary L-ascorbic acid. There was a significant (p≤0.05) difference in the sperm count of the experimental fish supplemented with different quantum of dietary L-ascorbic acid. The milt volume increased in fish fed with the different inclusion levels of L-ascorbic acid. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with L-ascorbic acid improved milt quality of C. gariepinus broodstock.