In-vitro fertilisation: a simple, efficient method for obtaining sea cucumber larvae year round

Obtaining eggs and larvae in large quantities is a critical point for the economic viability of sea cucumber aquaculture. In this paper, spawning induction methods and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) methods are presented and compared. The IVF technique developed in Madagascar (MH-IVF) is a simple, cost-efficient method that enables hatcheries to obtain clean, fertilised eggs of sea cucumbers year-round. MH-IVF does not require high-tech equipment and is applicable in small- and large-scale hatcheries. It ensures the best control at the very beginning of the work on the number and type of genitors (i.e. sex, length, weight, colour); the quality of the gonads (healthy versus parasitised); and the number, size and quality of spermatozoa and eggs. MH-IVF involves the sacrifice of very few genitors compared with the individuals obtained and sacrificed for production. Yet, it does not influence genetic drift any more than spawning induction methods.