Relationships between seminal plasma composition and sperm quality parameters of the Salmo trutta macrostigma (Dumeril, 1858) semen: with emphasis on sperm motility

Abstract

The mineral and organic composition of seminal plasma, physical spermatological parameters and their physiological relationships were investigated in Salmo trutta macrostigma. The seminal plasma contained 121.0 ± 0.37mM/l (Na<sup>+</sup>), 8.18 ± 0.03mM/l (K<sup>+</sup>), 7.23 ± 0.03 mg/dl (Ca<sup>2+</sup>), 3.19 ± 0.02 mEq/l (Mg<sup>++</sup>), 0.48 ± 0.02 g/dl total protein, 6.07 ± 0.06 mg/dl cholesterol, 6.24 ± 0.08 mg/dl triglyceride and 9.97 ± 0.39 mg/dl urea. The following physical spermatological parameters were found out: sperm volume 13.93 ± 0.84 ml, sperm motility 80.37 ± 2.36%, movement duration 81.47 ± 4.21 s, density 6.02 ± 0.46 × 10<sup>9</sup>/ml, total density 8.85 ± 6.12 × 10<sup>9</sup> and pH 7.53 ± 0.20. Significant positive relationships were determined between motility duration and motility (r = 0.83, P < 0.01) and also between spermatocrit and motility (r = 0.536, P < 0.05). Sperm volume and total density negatively correlated with motility (r = –0.191, P > 0.05 and r = –0.087, P > 0.05, respectively). The Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup> and Cl<sup>–</sup> ions correlated negatively with motility (r = –0.267, P > 0.05, r = –0.152, P > 0.05 and r = –0.461, P > 0.05, respectively). On the other hand, the Ca<sup>2+</sup> and Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions correlated positively with motility (r = 0.114, P > 0.05 and r = 0.040, P > 0.05, respectively). A significant negative relationship was found between motility and urea (r = –0.515, P < 0.05). These parameters should be considered when developing procedures for short-term storage or cryopreservation of the Salmo trutta macrostigma sperm.