Monthly fluctuations during the breeding season of sperm density, volume, motility, and composition of seminal and coelomic fluid in broodfish of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897

Abstract

Obtaining knowledge on the gamete quality of certain species is essential for appropriate management and conservation of wild stocks of the species concerned. In the present study, eighteen breeders (nine males and nine females) of Acipenser Persicus Borodin, 1897 were selected for recording breeding season changes in gamete quality in terms of the parameters: spermatozoa motility indices, sperm volume and density, ionic composition and osmolality of seminal and coelomic fluids. Stripping was performed at the beginning of March and during April and May. Results indicated that sperm volume (ml per male) and density (×109 spz ml−1) decreased towards the end of the spawning season. There was no significant change in osmolality (mOsmol kg−1) or in the concentrations (as mm) of sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium ions in either the seminal or the coelomic fluids during the breeding season. A significant difference in chloride ion concentration in the coelomic fluid was noted at different times during the spawning season. The percentage of motile spermatozoa at 45 s post-activation was not significantly different for samples taken at different dates, but the maximum duration of spermatozoa movement, at 15 s post-activation, was observed in March. This value decreased significantly towards the end of the reproductive season. In conclusion, changes observed in A. persicus sperm parameters during the breeding season suggest an association between such changes and the sperm aging processes.