QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF ATLANTIC STURGEON (ACIPENSER OXYRINCHUS) SPERMATOZOA UNDER CONDITIONS OF SHORT-TERM STORAGE

Abstract

Short-term storage trials were conducted in 2008 and 2009 on Atlantic sturgeon semen obtained from captive males, held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Fish Technology Center, that were hormonally induced to spermiate; and wild males collected during the spawning season from the Hudson River. Samples were stored under refrigeration (4 + 1°C) in treatments consisting of different gaseous environments (oxygen, nitrogen or air) and experimental diluents (Modified Tsvetkova extender, Park & Chapman extender and neat, i.e. undiluted). Analyses of gamete quality were performed on day 0 (pre-treatment), and then every other day for 7 days in 2008 and for 21 days in 2009. Sperm quality parameters evaluated included: viability, motion analysis, curvilinear velocity and cellular ATP levels. Higher gamete quality was maintained when spermatozoa were diluted in the PC extender and stored in the presence of oxygen.