Effects of storage time on the motility, mortality and calcium levels of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar spermatozoa

Abstract

This study estimates spermatozoa mortality, morphology, motility and intracellular calcium levels in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar milt after prolonged storage. Milt samples were preserved at 4° C for 25 days and then evaluated for mortality. Motility remained high for the first 3 days and the mortality was low during the first 5 days of storage. A decrease of >50% in calcium content was observed after 5 days of storage. When spermatozoa were activated, calcium levels increased >200% in relative fluorescence units (RFU); this rate of increase was lost when the samples were stored for extended periods of time and was only partially manifested in a zero calcium solution. The results suggest that in vitro storage of S. salar spermatozoa at 4° C for a period of 3 days preserves motility and limits mortality to levels similar to those of fresh spermatozoa. This method also maintains intracellular calcium storage critical for spermatozoa performance.

European eel sperm storage: Optimization of short-term protocols and cryopreservation of large volumes

“…Nonetheless, higher storage temperatures can be more practical in certain situations such as long distance transportation, since then maintaining low temperatures require specific cooling equipment. Furthermore, studies with salmonids sperm reported lower mortality when sperm was shaken during storage (Parodi et al, 2017), and this way of storing is common in sperm short-term storage protocols of various salmonid species (Trigo et al, 2015;Ubilla et al, 2015). In the present study, no strong effect of stirring was found on sperm preservation.…”

Fish sperm motility assessment as a tool for aquaculture research: a historical approach

“…) and Atlantic salmon (Parodi et al . ), respectively; the Cyprinidae, keeping good‐quality samples (>70%) in common carp and perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) during the first week of storage; Acipenseridae, with more than 50% of motility after 7 days in Siberian sturgeon (Shaliutina et al . ); and marine fish species, where spermatozoa still retained some motility after 30‐day storage in both Atlantic cod and haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) (DeGraaf & Berlinsky ).…”

Improvement of techniques for sperm evaluation and cryobanking in European eel.

“…Furthermore, studies with salmonids sperm reported lower mortality when sperm was shaken during storage (Parodi et al, 2017), and this way of storing is common in sperm short-term storage protocols of various salmonid species (Trigo et al, 2015;Ubilla et al, 2015). In the present study, no strong effect of stirring was found on sperm preservation.…”