Abstract
Artificial reproduction involves collection and handling of gametes in a way that secures their quality and maximizes the fertilization outcome. In addition to initial sperm quality, numerous steps can affect the final result of fertilization, from the sperm collection process until gamete mixing (or co-incubation) when the spermatozoon enters or fuses with the oocyte. In this review, we summarize the whole process of sperm handling, from collection until fertilization for fish, penaeid shrimp, bivalve mollusks and marine mammals. To obtain sperm from captive animals, techniques vary widely across taxa, and include stripping by abdominal massage or testis surgical removal in fish, spermatophore collection in penaeid shrimps, gonadal scarification or temperature shock in bivalve mollusks, and voluntary collection via positive reinforcement in mammals. In most cases, special care is needed to avoid contamination by mucus, seawater, urine, or feces that can either activate sperm motility and/or decrease its quality. We also review techniques and extender solutions used for refrigerated storage of sperm across the aforementioned taxa. Finally, we give an overview of the different protocols for in vivo and in vitro fertilization including activation of sperm motility and methods for gamete co-incubation. The present study provides valuable information regarding breeder management either for animal production or species conservation.
Highlights
Under captive conditions, males and females would be able to sexually mature and present mating behavior that leads to synchronized gamete release, in the case of external fertilizers, like most fish and mollusks [1], to transference of spermatophores in case of penaeids [2] or to normal copula behavior in case of marine mammals [3]
The most frequently applied technique is through abdominal massage, or stripping, that helps the sperm to be released from the gonad into the spermatic duct
Fish are sacrificed to collect the testes, but in recent studies performed in African catfish it was observed that the gonad can recover from a 75% ablation without sacrificing the fish [26]
Summary
Males and females would be able to sexually mature and present mating behavior that leads to synchronized gamete release, in the case of external fertilizers, like most fish and mollusks [1], to transference of spermatophores in case of penaeids [2] or to normal copula behavior in case of marine mammals [3]. Artificial fertilization procedures involving the manual collection of sperm may be utilized to address reproductive dysfunction or to maintain population genetic diversity and health. This includes in vitro fertilization, as is the case of several fish, mollusks and some penaeid species [1,4,5]; in vivo fertilization in most penaeid shrimps [6]; and non-surgical intrauterine. Artificial reproduction in aquaculture species and assisted reproductive technologies in mammals involve sperm collection and storage until the time of ovulation or stripping of mature oocytes [1,7,14], requiring the best possible practices in sperm handling to maintain its quality and the general. Our intention is to provide practical guidelines about sperm handling procedures across the range of aquatic animals that exist in managed environments, either for animal production or species conservation
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