Influence of testis state, temperature and delay in semen collection on spermatozoa motility in the cultured Siberian sturgeon ( Acipenser baeri Brandt )

Abstract

A factorial design was set up to test the effects of three factors on spermatozoa motility in cultured Siberian sturgeons, Acipenser baeri, removed from 10°C water temperature. From the four tested temperatures (10°C, 12.5°C, 15°C and 17.5°C) during hormonal treatment, the significantly highest spermatozoa motilities (65%) were obtained at 10°C and the lowest (41%) at 17.5°C. The increasing delay in semen collection gave the following results: 24 h (30% motility), 36 h (72%), 48 h (64%) and 60 h (53%). Males of which the testis state was referred to as firm or soft gave significantly better spermatozoa motilities (70%) as compared with viscous or liquid testis (40%). Semen pH, osmotic pressure and spermatocrit did not show any relationship with spermatozoa motility.