Abstract
Delayed fertilization of salmonid eggs can be a useful option to enhance the efficiency of artificial spawning operations. This experiment examined the fertility of landlocked fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) eggs stored for various times after removal from female broodstock. Fertilization occurred either immediately after spawning or the eggs were stored with oxygen at 11°C and fertilized at 4, 6, 8, 12, or 20 hours post-spawn. Survival to the eyed stage of egg development was significantly greater in the eggs fertilized immediately or after four, six, or eight hours of storage compared to those eggs stored for 12 or 20 hours prior to fertilization (P = 0.024). Survival to hatch was also significantly different (P = 0.018) and followed the same pattern. This study is the first to document the successful fertilization of landlocked fall Chinook salmon eggs after eight hours of storage.
Highlights
Eggs removed from female trout and salmon are typically fertilized immediately with milt stripped from males during artificial spawning [1]
Delayed fertilization of salmonid eggs can be a useful option to enhance the efficiency of artificial spawning operations
This experiment examined the fertility of landlocked fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) eggs stored for various times after removal from female broodstock
Summary
Eggs removed from female trout and salmon are typically fertilized immediately with milt stripped from males during artificial spawning [1]. Unfertilized rainbow trout (O. mykiss) eggs stored at 2 ̊C maintain fertility for 20 hours [9], but substantial declines in Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) egg fertility were reported after 48 hours of storage at 1 ̊C [10]. The replacement of air with oxygen extended successful landlocked Chinook salmon egg storage times to four hours at 11 ̊C; fertility was reduced when stored four hours at 1 ̊C even with the presence of oxygen [13]. With spawning operations occurring as far as 365 km from egg incubation facilities, storage of unfertilized eggs could be advantageous The longest these landlocked Chinook salmon eggs have been successfully stored has been only four hours [13]. The objective of this was to potentially increase egg storage times
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