Sperm motility and velocities of Characiformes fishes in different times post-activation

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to observe the performance kinetics (motilities and velocities) of the spermatozoa from Prochilodus brevis (curimatã), Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and Piaractus brachypomus (pirapitinga) species in different times post-activation. The sperm of P. brevis, C. macropomum and P. brachypomus species were collected after hormonal induction with carp pituitary extract. The samples with not contamination with water, urine or feces had motility subjective, morphology, osmolality and concentration analyzed. The samples selected were analyzed with Sperm Class Analyzer. Spermatozoa motility and velocities were captured at 10, 30, 60 and 120 s post-activation. No significant differences in total motility of P. brevis spermatozoa were observed between 10 s and 30 s post-activation. However, significant reduction was observed in 60 s. This reduction was more accentuated after 120 s. The same pattern of spermatozoa motility decline happened for C. macropomum and P. brachypomus. Velocities also followed the same pattern for the three species. There was significant reduction in velocities after 30 s; this reduction was more significant after 60 s. There was no significance difference between 60 s and 120 s post-activation. Sperm of C. macropomum and P. brachypomus show satisfactory sperm quality up to 60 s after activation. On the other hand, sperm of P. brevis up to 120 s after activation. These findings show that the rate of sperm motility in different times post activation is change for each species tested.