Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, BO, Italy.
Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, BO, Italy.
Res Vet Sci. 2023 Nov;164:105045. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105045. Epub 2023 Oct 4.
The European eel is a critically endangered teleost fish with very poor success rate for captive breeding and artificial reproduction. Therefore, to support its conservation, new strategies are needed to ensure fertilization. Objective analysis of sperm motility may be critical as it potentially represents one of the most important reproductive quality parameters. Spermatozoa acquire motility once in contact with hyperosmotic solutions as saltwater, yet the exact mechanisms and the role of temperature are still to be clarified. The main aim of the study was to assess the effects of 3 activating media (artificial sea water, tank water and commercial Actifish®) at 4 and 20 °C on sperm motility, by means of computer assisted sperm analysis. Secondary aim was to test 2 different concentrations of Actifish® mimicking sea water pH/osmolality, at 4 °C. The results suggested how both temperature and activating media have effects on spermatozoa motility and kinematics, with temperature mainly acting upon interaction with the media type. The samples activated with tank water at 20 °C showed the poorest motility outcomes (mean 38.1%), while the ones activated with Actifish® diluted 1:4 and artificial sea water, at 4 °C, the highest (means 51.8 and 51.5% respectively). Additionally, diluting Actifish® to reach same pH and osmolality of seawater led to worse motility outcomes, suggesting that composition may be the critical factor for activation rather than osmolality itself.
欧洲鳗鲡是一种极危的硬骨鱼类，其圈养繁殖和人工繁殖的成功率非常低。因此，为了支持其保护，需要新的策略来确保受精。精子活力的客观分析可能至关重要，因为它可能代表最重要的生殖质量参数之一。精子一旦与高渗溶液（如盐水）接触就会获得活力，但确切的机制和温度的作用仍有待阐明。该研究的主要目的是通过计算机辅助精子分析评估 3 种激活介质（人工海水、水箱水和商业 Actifish®）在 4 和 20°C 对精子活力的影响。次要目的是在 4°C 下测试 2 种不同浓度的 Actifish®，模拟海水的 pH 值/渗透压。结果表明，温度和激活介质都对精子的活力和运动学有影响，温度主要通过与介质类型的相互作用起作用。在 20°C 下用水箱水激活的样本显示出最差的活力（平均 38.1%），而在 4°C 下用稀释 1:4 的 Actifish®和人工海水激活的样本显示出最高的活力（分别为 51.8%和 51.5%）。此外，将 Actifish®稀释至与海水相同的 pH 值和渗透压会导致活力下降，这表明组成可能是激活的关键因素，而不是渗透压本身。
