Cryopreservation of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) sperm: effects of cryoprotectants,antioxidant, membrane stabilizer,equilibration time and dilution ratio on sperm motility and fertility

Three experiments were performed to develop protocols for cryopreservation of Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus, sperm. In the first experiment, sperm from six males was individually split in three subsamples and cryopreserved using Modified Tsvetkova's extender (mT) supplemented with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methanol (MeOH), glycerol (Gly) and ethylene glycol (EG) at concentration of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. In the second set of experiments, the effects of six equilibration times (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 min) and dilution ratios (volume sperm: volume extender 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5 and 1:10) and the additive advantage of bovine serum albumin (BSA; 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg mL^?1) and ascorbic acid (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 U mL^?1), on the post‐thaw survival of sperm (triplicate set of six fish) were evaluated. Then, sperm was diluted in 1:1 mT extender with 10 mg mL^?1 BSA with selected cryoprotectants (15% MeOH and 10% DMSO) for 5 min. After a month of storage in liquid nitrogen, post‐thawed sperm motility; fertilization and hatching rate and viability of derived larvae were measured (Exp.3). Evaluation of cryoprotectants efficiency showed that MeOH 15% and DMSO 10% were suitable for cryopreservation of Persian sturgeon sperm. Gly and EG resulted in very low post‐thaw motility rates even at lowest concentration. No significant difference was observed among the four different equilibration times (0, 5, 10, 20 min) (P > 0.05) although higher equilibration times than 20 min resulted low post‐thaw motility (P < 0.05). The motility of frozen–thawed sperm did not significantly change when dilution ratio was increased from 1:0.5 to 1:3 (P > 0.05). However, higher dilution ratios (1:5 and 1:10) reduced the percentage of motile sperm. Supplementation of the cryoprotectant solution with 10 mg mL^?1 BSA significantly improved post‐thaw motility (P < 0.05), but ascorbic acid did not improve post‐thaw motility (P > 0.05). The results of experiment 3 showed that the highest fertilization (30.2 ± 5.75) and hatching rates (28.2 ± 5.25) were observed when samples were frozen with 15% MeOH (P > 0.05). Our study indicates that the use of mT extender consisting of 10 mg mL^?1 BSA in 15% MeOH diluted with sperm at 1:1 ratio for 5 min can be recommended cryopreservation method for Persian sturgeon sperm.     

Changes in the flagellum morphology of intact and frozen/thawed Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii (Brandt) sperm during motility

Morphological investigations on the changes in flagellar beating was carried out on native (taken from the milt) and thawed sperm of the Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii (Brandt). Immediately after activation, the pattern of flagellar wave formation and distribution was the same in native and thawed sperm but, after 27–42 s, depending on the samples, the thawed flagella showed asymmetric and poorly developed waves. The swimming trajectories recorded during 1‐s exposure were much shorter in thawed than in native sperm after 26–28 s motility. In native sperm, the flagella remained in the same axis as the head during the entire motility course, while the head of thawed sperm showed a right angle after 47 s. It is concluded that the freezing/thawing procedure induces some alteration in the dynamics of flagellar beating in many sperm, but these sperm still show progressive displacement. Therefore, the change in morphology of the flagellum during motion is a parameter that should be taken into account in the evaluation of the impact of various treatments on sperm motility.     

Sperm motility and fertilizing ability in the Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus

The motility and fertilizing ability of the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, spermatozoa were investigated. Optimum ionic content (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and pH of activation solution as well as the optimum dilution rate were determined. The results show optimum motility characteristics of spermatozoa in buffered solutions containing 25, 0.2, 3 and 10 mM L^?1 Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, respectively, at dilution rate 1:50 and pH 8.0. To test the fertilizing ability of sperm, two buffered saline solutions were used as activation solution of sperm motility. The present study indicated (1) spermatozoa motility is one of key factors that influence on fertilizing ability of sperm, (2) a high fertilizing ability of sperm is obtained after dilution in saline solutions rather than in freshwater and (3) a maximum fertilization rate occurs in buffered saline solution containing 0.2 mM L^?1 K⁺. There is also a good correlation between biochemical characteristics of seminal plasma and fertilizing ability of sperm.     

环境因子对胭脂鱼精子活力影响的研究

通过观察精子的快速运动时间和寿命,研究了6种环境因子对胭脂鱼(Myxocyprinus asiaticus Bleeker)精子活力的影响。结果表明:胭脂鱼精子对酸碱的耐受能力较强,在pH值为4~10时,精子均可以快速运动,且在pH值为8时精子的活力最强。不同浓度的NaCl、KCl、葡萄糖、CaCl2、MaCl2溶液对胭脂鱼精子运动的诱导效果不同。5种溶液最适于胭脂鱼精子运动的浓度分别为:NaCl 102 mmol/L;KCl 75 mmol/L;葡萄糖100 mmol/L;CaCl275.6 mmol/L;MgCl275.6 mmol/L。且在5种溶液低浓度时精子活力较强,超过一定浓度精子的运动开始被抑制。     

黑龙江茴鱼(Thymallus arcticus grubei Dybowski)精子活力的观察

用BSS和水两种激活剂对黑龙江茴鱼精子活力进行测定,并在4℃和14℃(室温)条件下,对精原液和用ASP稀释的精液分别进行保存试验.试验结果显示,用BSS和水均可激活黑龙江茴鱼精子,其精子活率分别可达100%和98%.14℃条件下,用BSS激活黑龙江茴鱼精子平均寿命为72.1s,A级(快速)运动时间平均为14.1s;用水激活精子平均寿命为67.2s,A级运动时间平均为12.5s.不同温度保存的精子寿命和快速运动时间也有显著差异:精原液4℃保存2h后精子失去A级运动,其激活率在70%以上,保存6h后激活率小于20%;精原液14℃保存1.5h后精子失去A级运动,其激活率大于70%,4h后激活率小于20%.经ASP(pH分别为7.0、7.8、8.0、8.5、9.0)稀释的精液,在4℃和14℃条件下,BSS和water对精子的激活率均小于20%,且精子均呈现C、D级运动,1.5h后各保存组激活率为0.试验结果表明,BSS对黑龙江茴鱼的精子有良好的激活效果;精原液4℃保存效果好于14℃,在4℃保存条件下2h以内使用,可以得到理想的结果;精液不宜用ASP稀释保存.     

抗冻剂对日本鳗鲡精子活力及运动时间的影响

利用精子稀释液(0.5%氯化钠+0.25%氯化钾+0.25%葡萄糖)分别配制4%、8%、12%、16%、20%、24%的二甲亚砜(DMSO)、甘油(Glycerol)、1,2-丙二醇(1,2-Propanediol)、乙二醇(Ethyleneglycol)四种抗冻剂,对日本鳗鲡精子进行激活处理,观察记录精子在不同浓度抗冻剂中的活力和5种运动(激烈运动、快速运动、慢速运动、摆动、死亡)时间。结果表明:4%~24%的四种抗冻剂都可以激活日本鳗鲡精子,其中二甲亚砜浓度为12%时,精子活力最高,平均可达到78.3%;甘油浓度为8%时,精子活力最高,平均可达到72.8%;12%的1,2-丙二醇和乙二醇激活精子后,精子活力都可以达到最高,分别是47.6%和57.8%。日本鳗鲡精子在8%的二甲亚砜、8%的甘油、8%的1,2-丙二醇和8%的乙二醇中,激烈运动时间均为最长,分别为11.8 s、11.1 s、6.0 s和2.9 s;用8%的甘油、16%的二甲亚砜、16%的1,2-丙二醇和12%的乙二醇激活日本鳗鲡精子后,精子存活时间均最长,分别达到154.6 s、45 s、20 s和34 s。与其它几种抗冻剂相比,8%的甘油能显著延长日本鳗鲡精子的寿命。四种抗冻剂对日本鳗鲡精子都有一定的毒性作用,处理后精子的活力和寿命均降低。     

低渗溶液浓度对黄颡鱼精子活力和受精率的影响

为提高黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)人工授精的稳定性,分别用卵子和精子同步激活法以及预激活精子法,在6个梯度浓度(0%～0.5%)范围的低渗溶液中进行人工授精试验,比较精子活力、受精率和孵化率。结果显示:低渗溶液浓度与精子活力、精子激活率和受精率密切相关,在相同浓度的低渗溶液组中采用预激活精子法的受精率显著高于卵子和精子同步激活法(P<0.05),受精率相对应提高了7.7%～14.5%;低渗溶液的浓度和人工授精方式对孵化率无显著影响。结果表明在浓度0.3%的低渗溶液中采用预激活精子法的效果最好。     

甘露醇和甘油对白斑狗鱼精子活力的影响

为了提高白斑狗鱼精子的受精能力,采用载玻片悬滴法探讨了甘油和甘露醇对白斑狗鱼精子活力的影响。结果表明,白斑狗鱼精子在甘油和甘露醇溶液中活动的最适渗透压在411~616kPa。在411~616kPa甘油溶液中白斑狗鱼精子的快速运动时间最高为85.01±5.09s,寿命时间最高为116.12±7.39s。在411~616kPa甘露醇溶液中白斑狗鱼精子的快速运动时间最高为75.59±3.67s,寿命时间最高为120.33±17.27s。在甘油和甘露醇溶液中,白斑狗鱼精子FT和LT的变化规律基本一致。     

黄鳝精子活力检测和精子入卵早期过程观察

采用Olympus3×51相差系统显微镜和SQIAS—1000彩色精液质量图文分析系统检测黄鳝精子活力。结果表明,在NaCl溶液浓度为0～0.3%时,黄鳝精子激活比例随溶液浓度升高而极显著增加(P<0.01);当NaCl浓度达到0.7%时,精子激活比例、直线运动速度和鞭毛摆动频率均显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)降低。扫描电镜观察显示:黄鳝成熟卵卵壳膜上的精孔区呈漏斗状凹陷,其底部中央可见一精孔管外孔,口径约4.22±0.66μm;黄鳝精子入卵速度缓慢,受精过程较长,从精子附着于卵球表面到精孔管完全堵塞,约30s～5min。     

Role of sodium bicarbonate on the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel

ABSTRACT:   In order to find out the role of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica , interactions were investigated between NaHCO₃ and various reagents (K⁺ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine [4-AP], ammonium chloride [NH₄Cl], sodium acetate and calcium chloride [CaCl₂]) that could regulate internal factors (intracellular K⁺, intracellular pH [[pH]_i] and intracellular Ca²⁺) in sperm motility. Contradictory effects of NaHCO₃ were observed (i.e. an inhibitory effect when 4-AP was absent and a promoting effect when 4-AP was present). Sodium bicarbonate inhibited the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel. However, NaHCO₃ restored the motility of immotile sperm that 4-AP inhibited. The inhibitory effect of NaHCO₃ disappeared with the addition of NH₄Cl, which raised [pH]_i, but the promoting effect was not affected by [pH]_i. Although NaHCO₃ recovered motility in the presence of 4-AP, this recovery was also observed with the addition of CaCl₂ instead of NaHCO₃. In the initiation of sperm motility in the Japanese eel, two roles for NaHCO₃ are suggested: an inhibitory role relating to the regulation of [pH]_i and a promoting role relating to the uptake of another initiation factor, which could be Ca²⁺.     

The effects of protein kinase A catalytic subunit on sperm motility regulation in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai

Protein kinase A plays a central role in the regulation of sperm motility from echinoderms to mammals, but the information about its regulatory role in molluscs is very limited. In this study, a protein kinase A catalytic subunit (designated as HdPKA‐C) was identified from Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai. The open reading frame of HdPKA‐C was of 1,077 bp, encoding a peptide of 358 amino acids with a typical protein kinase domain. HdPKA‐C shared 82%–87% sequence similarities with other PKA‐Cs, and it was clustered first with gastropod PKA‐Cs in the phylogenetic tree. The mRNA of HdPKA‐C was constitutively expressed in examined tissues, with the highest level detected in hepatopancreas. The phosphorylated form of HdPKA‐C (p‐HdPKA‐C) was localized at the acrosome, connecting piece and flagellum of spermatozoa with variable intensity. Its phosphorylated substrates were also detected in these regions with much lower intensity at the connecting piece. The inhibition of HdPKA‐C activity with H‐89 led to a significant reduction in the percentage of motile sperm and sperm velocities. p‐HdPKA‐C was detected by Western blot in strip‐spawned sperm, naturally spawned sperm and H‐89‐treated sperm with almost the same intensity. The intensity of p‐HdPKA‐C substrates in naturally spawned sperm was higher than that in strip‐spawned sperm, and it was roughly the same as that in H‐89‐treated sperm except for two bands at 50 and 60 kDa. These results collectively indicated that HdPKA‐C played an important role in the regulation of abalone sperm motility by altering its substrates phosphorylation.     

Role of ion channels and membrane potential in the initiation of carp sperm motility

The exposure of freshly spawned, immotile carp sperm to hypoosmotic media triggers the initiation of calcium-dependent flagellar motility. Intracellular calcium concentration has been thought to be the critical component in motility initiation, possibly acting through a novel signalling pathway. The sensitivity of sperm cells to changes of osmolality of the environment raises the question whether a mechanoregulated osmosensitive calcium pathway is involved in the activation mechanism of carp sperm motility. The sperm cells are in a depolarized state in the seminal plasma (Ψ = –2.6 ± 3 mV) and they hyperpolarize upon hypoosmosis-induced activation of motility (Ψ = –29 ± 4 mV). The intracellular sodium [Na⁺]_i, potassium [K⁺]_i and calcium [Ca²⁺]_i ion concentrations were determined in quiescent cells, and at 20, 60 and 300 s after activation. The [Na⁺]_i and [K⁺]_i of the quiescent cells were similar to the [Na⁺]_e and [K⁺]_e of the seminal plasma. Following hypoosmotic shock-induced motility, both [Na⁺]_i and [K⁺]_i decreased to one-fourth of the initial concentration. The [Ca²⁺]_i doubled at initiation of the motility of the sperm cells and remained unchanged for 5 min. Bepridil (50–250 μM), a blocker of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, blocked carp sperm motility reversibly. Gadolinium, a blocker of stretch-activated channels (10–20 μM), inhibited sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner and its effect was reversible. Hypoosmotic shock fluidized the membrane and gadolinium treatment made it more rigid in both quiescent cells and hypotonic shock treated but immotile sperm cells. Based on these observations, it is suggested that, besides the well-known function of potassium and calcium channels, stretch-induced conformational changes of membrane proteins are also involved in the sperm activation mechanism of common carp.     

Effect of p-Nonylphenol on sperm motility in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

This study examined the effects of exposure to p-Nonylphenol (NP) on the motility of the spermatozoa of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Spermatozoa collected from adult males reared for 2 weeks in aqueous solutions of 20 and 100 μg/L NP showed similar swimming speeds but significantly lower percentages of motile spermatozoa than those of untreated controls. These results suggest that even a short exposure to NP might reduce significantly spermatozoan viability in fish.     

Vitrification of sperm from marine fish: effect on motility and membrane integrity

Our goal was to develop a standardized approach for sperm vitrification of marine fish that can be applied generally in aquatic species. The objectives were to: (i) estimate acute toxicity of cryoprotectants over a range of concentrations; (ii) evaluate the properties of vitrification solutions (VS); (iii) evaluate different thawing solutions and (iv) evaluate sperm quality after thawing by examination of motility and membrane integrity. Sperm were collected from red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). A total of 29 combinations of cryoprotectants were evaluated for toxicity and glass formation. Samples were loaded onto 10‐μL polystyrene loops and plunged into liquid nitrogen. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in post‐thaw motility among VS and among species when using the same VS. The sperm in VS of 15% DMSO + 15% ethylene glycol + 10% glycerol + 1% X‐1000^? + 1% Z‐1000^? had an average post‐thaw motility of 58% and membrane integrity of 19% for spotted seatrout, 38% and 9% for red snapper, and 30% and 19% for red drum. Adaptations by marine fish to higher osmotic pressures could explain the survival in the high cryoprotectant concentrations. Vitrification offers an alternative to conventional cryopreservation.     

Preliminary study on the activity of protease enzymes in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897) larvae in response to different diets: effects on growth and survival

The specific activity of alkaline protease, trypsin and pepsin‐like enzymes was measured in yolk sac stage Acipenser persicus larvae and over a 1‐month feeding experiment using live Artemia nauplii (ND), formulated feed (FD) or mixed food (MD). Artemia nauplii group larvae showed significantly higher growth and survival during the first 15 days while FD larvae showed the lowest growth and survival. At day 30, MD larvae exhibited significantly higher growth than the ND group. Alkaline protease activity showed the lowest activity on day 15; the highest activity was observed in the MD group larvae. Pepsin‐like activity showed a drastic increase from day 1 to 5 in all treatments, but remained stable throughout the next 25 days, with the lowest and the highest activity in the FD treatment on day 10 and in the MD treatment on day 30 post‐feeding respectively. Trypsin‐like activity in group ND remained almost the same from day 5 to 30, whereas in groups MD and FD, it decreased significantly from day 10 to 30. The contribution of the naupliar proteases was moderate but effective. Additionally, better performance in Artemia fed sturgeon larvae may also be due to the structure and digestibility of proteins and the food intake stimulation by the nauplii.     

单环刺螠虫精子生物学特性和环境因子的关系

解剖成熟的单环刺虫(Urechis uniconctus)成体,直接从肾管中取出新鲜精子进行实验。结果显示,单环刺虫精子为鞭毛型,头部最前端为顶体,呈奶嘴状;细胞核近似杯状,核内有核泡。中段由一个大环状线粒体组成。尾部轴丝为典型的“9+2”型结构。精液的pH值为6.5±0.2;精子密度为(4.2±0.2)×109/mL;新鲜精子经过滤海水(10 cm厚的脱脂棉过滤)的激活率为86.4%±6.3%,涡动时间为(17.0±6.9)min,寿命为(24.4±7.8)min。室温(20±1)℃下,精子保存12 h活力无显著变化,但至24 h活力明显下降;低温(4℃)可明显延长精子活力的保存时间,可保存21 d;盐度和酸碱度对精子的激活率、涡动时间和寿命都有较大的影响,精子适宜的盐度为20~30,最佳盐度为25;适宜的酸碱度为7~9,最佳为8。因此,低温可以较长时间的保存单环刺虫的精子,在盐度稍低或偏碱性的海水中精子活力较高。     

Optimization of sperm irradiation protocol for induced gynogenesis in Siberian sturgeon,Acipenser baerii

The great diversity of optimal UV irradiation doses are used for DNA inactivation in fish sperm forcing authors to repeat optimization of irradiation treatment every time. Analysis of sperm UV irradiation protocol for induction of gynogenesis showed the importance of sperm UV light absorption estimations. The UV absorption investigation in Siberian sturgeon sperm showed average extinction coefficient 7.69 × 10^?8 ± 1.04 × 10^?8 cm². It is resulted in high heterogeneity of UV irradiation of undiluted sperm samples. Therefore, it is strongly suggested to specify doses only with defined concentration of spermatozoa; otherwise, the difference in absorbance level between samples can bring a significant error to optimal UV dose estimation. This was confirmed by UV-irradiated sperm motility investigation. Results of motility investigation of UV-irradiated sperm revealed high sensitivity of Siberian sturgeon spermatozoa motion mechanisms to UV irradiation, with complete loss of motility after homogeneous UV irradiation at doses above 2,000 J/m². Partial gynogenesis was conducted using diluted and undiluted sperm. Ploidy level of hatched larvae was estimated by flow cytometry. Percentage of haploid hatched larvae revealed sperm DNA inactivation efficiency. The highest percentage of haploid putative gynogenotes 19.67 ± 4.19 % was obtained at UV irradiation dose 200 J/m² with sperm diluted to 1:4.     

分光光度法测定俄罗斯鲟精子密度标准的研究

为了标准化精子超低温冷冻保存和人工授精程序,建立了分光光度法测定俄罗斯鲟精子密度的方法,比较了不同波长(380 nm、530 nm、780 nm)下吸光度(A)与精子密度(C)的关系。结果表明,分光光度法的检测下限为3×106cells/mL,且检测上限随波长的增加而上升,当精子密度为3×106~1.5×109cells/mL时,530 nm为最适检测波长,吸光度与精子密度呈对数回归关系,其回归方程为:A530=-8.560+1.323 lgC(R2=0.971)。     

基于杂交鲟幼鱼生长性能、体成分和血清生化指标的鲟饲料养殖效果分析

为进一步了解和评估国内鲟饲料的状况和养殖效果,本实验在前期研究基础上筛选了4种品质达标、价格一致的鲟饲料.以杂交鲟(Acipenser baerii♀×A.schrenckii♂)作为养殖对象进行8周的养殖实验,对比分析4种鲟饲料养殖效果.将240尾初始体重为(512.48±3.10)g的杂交鲟幼鱼按投喂饲料品牌分为4...