A simple, inexpensive and successful freezing method for curimba Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes) semen.
The cryopreservation of fish sperm provides a tool by which reproduction is optimized and thereby larval production is increased. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of cryosolutions, motility-activation media, straw volumes and thawing temperatures on the post-thaw motility of curimba semen. Furthermore, semen cryopreserved in a simple and inexpensive cryosolution and that yielded excellent post-thaw motility was tested for fertility. Semen was diluted in each of the eight cryosolutions in a factorial of two cryoprotectants (DMSO and methylglycol) x four extenders (0.9% NaCl, 5% glucose, BTS and M III). Diluted semen was frozen in 0.5-mL straws in a nitrogen vapor vessel. Sperm motility was evaluated after thawing (60 degrees C water bath for 8s) and activation with a total of four different activation media (distilled water, 0.15% NaCl, 0.29% NaCl or 1% NaHCO(3)). To evaluate straw volume and thawing temperature, semen was diluted in 5% glucose and methylglycol and frozen in 0.5- and 4.0-mL straws. Half of the 0.5-mL straws were thawed in a water bath at 60 degrees C for 8s and the other half at 30 degrees C for 16s. The 4.0-mL straws were thawed at 60 degrees C for 24s only. In the last experiment, semen cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methylglycol, 0.5-mL straws, and thawed at 60 degrees C for 8s was tested for fertility. The results of these comparisons are presented and show that curimba semen can be successfully cryopreserved in a simple glucose solution combined with methylglycol as cryoprotectant, in 0.5-mL straws, yielding motility rates between 86% and 95% and fertilization rates between 47% and 83%.
Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, P.O. Box 3037, Lavras, MG, 37200-000, Brazil. ana.viveiros@ufla.br
A T M
AT
Viveiros
L H
LH
Orfão
A N
AN
Maria
I B
IB
Allaman
D000818:Animals; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004526:Efficiency; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology; D005615:Freezing; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide