Spermiation time affect the milt quality indices of the Russian sturgeon,Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833

Abstract

In this study, the effects of spermiation time are investigated on milt quality of Russian sturgeon over the course of the spawning season. The milt samples were collected from three broodstock batches at three time points including: the beginning, middle and at the end of the spawning season. According to the results, the milt quality parameters including pH, sperm density, spermatocrit, duration of sperm motility and percentage of sperm motility were significantly low in the beginning and end of season than middle of season. The values of milt quality parameters in the middle of season were as follows: (motility percentage: 69.6 AE 3.5, motility duration: 460.3 AE 37.2 s, sperm density: 8.7 AE 0.4 9 10 9 , milt volume: 86.3 AE 8.1 and milt pH: 8.3 AE 0.15). Significant positive correlations were also found between milt pH and sperm motility as well as between sperm density and spermatocrit. In conclusion, our study showed that the middle of season is the best time for collection of milt with appropriate quality in Russian sturgeon. Selection of milt with good quality is necessary aim to cryopreservation of spermatozoa in endangered fish species including Russian sturgeon.

Evaluation of Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) Semen Quality and Semen Cryopreservation

“…The mean of the total motility—TM% (74.4 ± 11.9) was similar to that recorded by Halimi et al [ 24 ] (69.6 ± 3.5%). The mean values of sperm mobility persistence of Russian sturgeon spermatozoa recorded in this study (2–4 min) were similar to those reported by Drabkina cit.…”

“…The mean semen volume value collected from the Russian sturgeons was lower than that reported by Halimi et al [ 24 ], 86.3 ± 8.1 mL; however, it can be considered similar, given that in our study, one of the males (M2) gave out a smaller amount of semen during collection compared to the other males. A comparison of the results from the two studies reveals the possible influence of different factors on the volume of sperm collected: habitat (fish farm with recirculating aquaculture system versus southern part of the Caspian Sea), compounds used for spermiation induction (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists versus pituitary preparation PP) and other factors such as timing of sperm collection in relation to spawning period, handling techniques, restraint or anesthesia of males and method of sperm collection.…”

“…The development of effective artificial propagation techniques is crucial to expanding the aquaculture and to the development of preservation programs. In all species of farm animals, access to sperm through cryopreservation, regardless of time and location, has permitted the expansion of reproductive techniques which in turn have led to an acceleration of the genetic selection rate and conservation of the endangered species [ 23 , 24 ]. Selection of good quality milt is a necessary requirement for the cryopreservation of spermatozoa in endangered fish species including the Russian sturgeon [ 24 ].…”

The effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue and carp pituitary hormones on Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii ) sperm characteristic

“…In our study, sperm concentration was found lower than the studies carried out before (Halimi et al., ; Linhart et al.,). The lower sperm concentration seen in this study could be explained either this was the first stimulation of the fish used with hormone or the method used for evaluation of sperm concentration (Linhart et al., ; Piros et al., ; Rurangwa, Kime, Ollevier, & Nash, ).…”

“…In some sturgeons species sperm can be collected without hormonal manipulation (Kopeika, Williot, & Goncharov, ; Toth, Ciereszko, Christ, & Dabrowski, ) while hormone injection leads to increase in volume of collected sperm (Brown & Mims, ; Gallis, Fedrigo, Jatteau, Bonpunt, & Billard, ; Halimi, Mohammadi, Norousta, Khara, & Karimi, ; Linhart et al., ; Tsvetkova, Cosson, Linhart, & Billard, ). Sperm volume for both hormone in this study was found higher in contrast of others studies (LHRH‐a 188 ± 91.91; CPP 151.33 ± 66.37).…”