Correlation of The Nerves Number at Three Points Exposed by Laser with Gonadal Maturation of Abalone (Haliotis squamata)

Abalone is one of marine commodities which possess high economic value. The demand on abalone in international markets rises every year. Therefore, efforts to improve abalone production are conducted and one of them is by applying laser puncture technology. The purpose of this research is to locate the best point for laser exposure which is based on the nerves distribution in three gonadal parts. Laser exposures were conducted in a home scaled hatchery in Musi Village, Bali. Gonadal tissue preparation was done in Laboratory of Medical Anatomy and Physiology of Medical Faculty, Universitas Brawijaya. The research used descriptive method to see the correlation of the numbers of nerves in three parts of gonads with the speed of abalone gonadal maturation by laser exposures. Variables observed were Gonadal Maturation Stages, Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) and gonadal histology of male and female abalone. The result showed that the best exposure for male abalone was done in posterior part while the mid interior part was best for female abalone. Key words: Gonad Abalone, Laserpuncture, Oocyte, Nerves, Sperm