Standardization of sperm management for laboratory assessment of sperm quality and in vitro fertilization in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Abstract

Sperm handling procedures and its usage for in vitro fertilization are crucial for standardized experimental operations on evaluation of reproductive performance, gamete quality, and optimization of fertilization protocols. In our study, the changes in perch sperm motility parameters within 6-h chilled storage and using 4 different activating solutions were compared. Eight different sperm-to-egg ratio was also compared during fertilization. Sperm activated with modified activating solution for cyprinids (78±11%), common perch activating solution (68±16%), modified Lahnsteiner activating solution (75±16%), and Woynárovich solution (76±13%) showed similar progressive motility at 10 s after activation. At 30 s after activation, progressive motility decreased below 5%, regardless the activating solution used. Progressive motility decreased significantly already after 2 h of storage (51±19%) in comparison with 0 h (78±5%). The highest average fertilization rate (using common perch activating solution) was observed with a sperm-to-egg ratio 2.5×105:1 (80±9%), where the smallest variability in the values was also recorded (coefficient of variation: 11%). However, no significant difference was detected among the 8 sperm-to-egg ratio groups. According to our findings, undiluted fresh perch sperm is recommended to use in 1 h post-stripping. Modified Lahnsteiner’s activating solution can be applied efficiently for quality assessment where common perch activating solution is applicable for fertilization in Eurasian perch. A sperm-to-egg ratio 2.5×105:1 already allows to achieve a high fertilization rate; however, the finding is needed to be tested also at hatchery level (higher number of eggs).

Effect of gamete aging on fertilization success of the sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii (Arbacioida: Arbaciidae)

“…Short-term gametes storage is an inexpensive and simple technique that allows the use of the same batch of eggs or sperm at different times, maximizing the application of research protocols and the use of gametes in production (Bokor et al, 2021;Cejko et al, 2022;Kristan et al, 2020;Yasui et al, 2015). Besides, using short-term storage techniques, gametes transportation from broodstock-rearing sites to other teachings, laboratory research, or aquaculture facilities is possible (Kiyomoto, 2019).…”

“…Most procedures for gametes handling in aquatic species have been developed for aquaculture purposes and mostly for fish (Bokor et al, 2021;Kristan et al, 2020;Ramos-Júdez et al, 2019). However, in recent years, the development of breeding methods to reproduce model species on a laboratory scale has RESUMEN Efecto del envejecimiento de los gametos sobre el éxito en la fecundación del erizo de mar Arbacia dufresnii (Arbacioida: Arbaciidae)…”