Example Use of Low-Cost System for Capturing the Kinetic Parameters of Sperm Cells in Atlantic Salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>)

Abstract

A spermiogramme is an analysis performed to assess the quality of semen. Motility parameters are primarily obtained by subjectively observing samples or by using complex systems, such as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Here, we describe an easy and low-cost analysis system for obtaining quantifiable kinetic observations using Salmo salar semen model. In this work, we observed and captured video images of both fresh and stored Atlantic salmon semen to describe the possibility of analysis using the ImageJ CASA plug-in application for the kinetic parameters obtained from the videos. The semen is exposed to "powermilt", a commercial activating solution, and the curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP) values are described. When the samples were activated after having been stored, differences were detected in sperm quality, using the low-cost plug-in application. However, this system was not able to detect small variations in the same recorded sample, suggesting limits in sample observation. The results indicate that it is possible to quantify the kinetic parameters of semen samples using a low-cost video system and free software.

Comparative gonad histology and semen quality of normal (XY) and neo‐males (XX) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

“…The videos were converted to required file format (*.avi, 10 frames/second) and then analysed using the ImageJ (Java) CASA plug‐in. Standardized handling methods and software configurations (Table ) suitable for Atlantic salmon semen (Dziewulska, Rzemieniecki, & Domagała, ; Parodi et al, ) were employed. The motility indices obtained were percentage of motile semen (MOT), percentage of linearity (LIN), progression (PROG, µm), straight line velocity (VSL, µm/s), curvilinear Velocity (VCL, µm/s), average path velocity (VAP, µm/s), percentage of wobble (WOB) and beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz; Gallego & Asturiano, ).…”

“…The semen motility was recorded using the Dino-Lite AM4023 image The videos were converted to required file format (*.avi, 10 frames/second) and then analysed using the ImageJ (Java) CASA plug-in. Standardized handling methods and software configurations (Table S1) suitable for Atlantic salmon semen (Dziewulska, Rzemieniecki, & Domagała, 2011;Parodi et al, 2015) were em-…”

“…As a consequence of this and its commercial fisheries significance, the reproductive biology of the species has been already researched intensively. However, there is a considerable gap in knowledge on the development of neo‐males (genotype XX) testis and quality of its semen in comparison to that of normal males (genotype XY; Kowalski et al, ; Parodi, Ramirez‐Reveco, & Guerra, ; Vikingstad et al, ). This lack of knowledge often results in inconsistencies in quality and quantity of semen used for fertilization, which may compromise seed production efficiencies in commercial hatcheries.…”

“…Semen membrane integrity and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration have also been used (Geffen & Evans, ). However, semen motility index is consented to be the most important parameter for defining the quality of a semen sample (Parodi, ; Parodi et al, ). Increasingly, the use of computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) as an easy, fast and precise tool for establishing multiple semen motility indices has gained credence (Gallego & Asturiano, ; Kowalski et al, ).…”

“…Analysis and verification of semen quality prior to its use in artificial propagation is critical to obtain high rates of fertilization (Figueroa et al, 2018). For fish, the most relied semen quality parameters are: motility (Parodi et al, 2015), concentration (Yang, Hu, Buchanan, & Tiersch, 2017) and total abnormalities (Dadras et al, 2017). Semen membrane integrity and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration have also been used (Geffen & Evans, 2000).…”