This study investigated the utilization level of rice wine residual (RWS) in a diet for juvenile Nile tilapia. The effects of RWS in diets were evaluated for growth (at week 4), fillet composition, haematological and blood chemical parameters (at weeks 3 and 6) and intestinal morphology (at week 6). The dietary treatments (each diet in triplicate groups) consisted of seven isonitrogenous (320 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) servings that were formulated to include RWS at levels of 0 (control diet), 75, 150, 225, 300, 375 and 450 g kg⁻¹ dry diet (Diets 1–7, respectively) and a commercial diet (Diet 8). The growth performances of fish in the groups on Diets 1–4 did not differ significantly. There were no marked variations in fillet composition, serum lysozyme, haematological profiles and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) among treatment diets, except for haematocrit and BUN (week 3) and haemoglobin (week 6) of fish on Diets 6–7. While the blood glucose increased as the amount of RWS incorporation increased (P < 0.05), the cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05). Only intestinal morphometry of fish fed Diet 7 differed significantly from any of the other treatments. Taken together, RWS (at 225 g kg⁻¹ diet) has the potential for use in juvenile Nile tilapia diet without negative effects.

The effects of three extenders (Ginzburg fish ringer, Calcium-free Hank's balanced salt solution, C-F HBSS and sodium chloride, 0.9% NaCl) and four cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulphoxide, DMSO; dimethyl acetamide, DMA; methanol, MeOH and glycerol) in different concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) on the motility, viability and fertilization rates of Mekong catfish (Pagasius bocourti) sperm were investigated. Sperm samples were transferred into 250-μL French straws and sealed with a heated haemostat. The straws were then placed in a cryochamber. A computer-controlled rate freezer (CL 3300) and programmable Cryogenesis, version 4 were used to regulate the freezing rate. The sperm samples were frozen at a rate of 10°C min⁻¹ from 4 to −80°C and then evaluated after 72 h. Of the three extenders used with each cryoprotectant, C-F HBSS had the highest fertilization rate of 75% (93% of control). This was not significantly different from the control treatment (fresh sperm) when tested with DMSO as the cryoprotectant. The lowest fertilization rate of 27% (38% of control) was resulting from the combination of 15% glycerol and C-F HBSS. This study found that fertilization, motility and viability rates in all of the experiments had a positive significant correlation (P < 0.001).

This study investigated the effects of various cryoprotectant combinations on post-thaw sperm quality, biomolecular changes, DNA methylation, and pregnancy rates using Boer goat semen. Synchrotron-based Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (SR-FTIR) was used to assess biomolecular changes. A Tris-based extender supplemented with 5% glycerol was used in combination with different concentrations of cryoprotectants, including 1% and 3% soybean lecithin and 10% and 18% egg yolk, with Andromed^® serving as the control. SR-FTIR analysis revealed that the combination of 5% glycerol and 18% egg yolk (T4) resulted in significantly higher levels of lipids, ester lipids, and secondary protein structures (α-helix) compared with those under the other treatments (p < 0.05). Analysis of the principal component analysis (PCA) score plot and correlation loadings revealed a positive association between the cryoprotectant combination of T4 and increased levels of lipids and ester lipids, as well as enhanced sperm motility, progressive motility, and viability. Furthermore, this combination achieved a pregnancy and parturition rate of 66.67%, which was notably higher than the rate achieved with Andromed^® (37.50%). Moreover, T4 did not show a significant difference in DNA methylation levels compared to Andromed^® and fresh sperm (p > 0.05). Overall, the results indicated that specific cryoprotectant combinations play a key role in enhancing the biomolecular and functional integrity of freeze-thawed Boer goat semen.