Effect of different avian egg yolk types on fertilization ability of cryopreserved common carp (Cyprinus carpio) spermatozoa

Abstract

In spite of the fact that egg yolk from different avian species has successfully been used as an additive for the cryopreservation of sperm in mammalian species, its efficacy for cryopreserving fish sperm has not previously been tested comparatively. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the effect of egg yolks from different avian species, namely domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and quail (Coturnix coturnix), on post-thaw motility and fertilization ability of cryopreserved common carp spermatozoa. Egg yolks from chicken, turkey and quail were analysed for moisture, total fat, protein, cholesterol and phospholipid profile. Total fat and cholesterol contents of the turkey egg yolk were higher than chicken and quail egg yolks (p < 0.05). Semen was frozen according to conventional slow freezing procedure. The extender contained 350 mM glucose, 30 mM Tris and 5 % glycerol supplemented with different ratios of avian egg yolk (10, 15 and 20 %). Semen was equilibrated at 4 °C for 15 min and placed into 0.25-ml straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour (for 10 min at −120 °C) and finally stored in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C) tank. The frozen spermatozoa were thawed in a water bath at 35 °C for 30 s. Fertilization was conducted using a ratio of 1 × 105 spermatozoa/egg. Cryopreservation experiments resulted in higher post-thaw motility and fertilization rates. Mean post-thaw motility of cryopreserved spermatozoa was between 45 and 80 %, and fertilization rates, expressed as the percentage of eyed embryos, ranged from 70 to 95 %. In conclusion, the present study showed that turkey and quail egg yolks are suitable alternatives to the chicken egg yolk for the cryopreservation of common carp spermatozoa.