Effect of different activating solutions on the fertilization ability of Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis  L., eggs

Abstract

Summary This study determined the effect of two different activating solutions (‘Woynarovich’ and ‘Billard’) on the effectiveness of controlled insemination of eggs of the Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis L., compared to hatchery water. Moreover, the study established the period during which such eggs can be fertilised in each of these media. The experiments were conducted on eggs obtained by induced spawning of wild perch females, stimulated hormonally with HCG (500 IU kg−1). The eggs were divided into samples with about 200 eggs in each, which were activated with each of the test media. Subsequently, semen (0.05 mL) was added to each sample after 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 s following egg activation. The results were compared to a control group [semen was added to an egg sample before activation (0 s)]. Moreover, the sperm motility parameters and the time of sperm movement in each of the tested activating liquids were analysed. The results indicated that perch eggs activated with hatchery water remain capable of fertilisation for 150 s. The lowest survival rate of embryos was found in the control group, which could be attributed to the shortest motility time of spermatozoa (maximum 37 s) when activated with hatchery water. A similar time of egg fertilisation ability was recorded following the use of Billard solution (150 s), whereas eggs treated with Woynarovich solution remained capable of fertilisation throughout the experimental test period (180 s). The percentage of fertilisation was highest (P < 0.05) in that group (at least 88% of live embryos were observed at the eyed‐egg stage). The results indicated that Woynarovich solution (4 g of NaCl and 3 g of urea in 1 L of water) proved to be the most effective medium for controlled insemination of perch eggs. On the other hand, when clean hatchery water was used to activate eggs, semen should be added to water after several seconds, which may significantly improve the fertilisation rate in controlled insemination trials.

Effects of different stripping methods of female and activation medium on fertilization success in northern pike (Esox lucius)

“…It is worth noting that Woynarovich solution was successfully used as a fertilization solution not only for the fertilization of cyprinid fish eggs, but also for those of percid fish. In Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), Woynarovich solution was found to be the most suitable medium for the controlled insemination of eggs, compared to Billard solution and HW (Zarski et al 2012). Our results corroborate these data as northern pike eggs had a higher fertilization rate when Woynarovich solution was used as compared to Billard solution.…”

Application of different activating solutions to in vitro fertilization of crucian carp, Carassius carassius (L.), eggs

“…However, in that case, specific selective breeding programs, considering the monitoring of the genetic variation of the domesticated stock, should be considered (e.g., Pereira et al 2010) since the genetic diversity of restocked fish is of obvious importance when wild populations are restored (e.g., González-Wangüemert et al 2012). Thus, it is extremely important to optimize every step of culture, where in vitro fertilization (ivF) is one of the most important procedures directly affecting reproduction results (e.g., Linhart et al 2006;_ Zarski et al 2012a). Crucian carp, Carassius carassius (L.), is a cyprinid fish species native to Europe and some parts of Asia (Lelek 1987).…”

“…This period is not known for many fish species, including crucian carp. Recently, it has been proven that the type of activating solution (AS) may affect the duration of egg fertilization ability in Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis L. ( _ Zarski et al 2012a). The different AS are commonly used for ivF in aquaculture since it has been proven that species-specific AS may positively affect spermatozoa motility and its movement duration (e.g., Billard 1983;Sarosiek et al 2012).…”

“…However, there are very limited data, which actually prove the usefulness of particular AS for ivF, and sometimes, the published data are mutually exclusive. For example, Billard solution (developed for salmonids) proved to be useful also in percid fish such as Eurasian perch ( _ Zarski et al 2012a). Also, Woynarovich solution (developed for cyprinids) affected high fertilization rate in the same percid species ( _ Zarski et al 2012a), whereas in cyprinid species such as common tench, Tinca tinca (L.), this solution decreased fertilization success (Geldhauser 1992).…”

“…For example, Billard solution (developed for salmonids) proved to be useful also in percid fish such as Eurasian perch ( _ Zarski et al 2012a). Also, Woynarovich solution (developed for cyprinids) affected high fertilization rate in the same percid species ( _ Zarski et al 2012a), whereas in cyprinid species such as common tench, Tinca tinca (L.), this solution decreased fertilization success (Geldhauser 1992). Therefore, development of species-specific AS or evaluation of an already existing one is very important in the practice of ivF.…”