Freeze-thawing as the factor of spontaneous activation of spermatozoa motility in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Cryobiology. 2009 Dec;59(3):291-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2009.08.005. Epub 2009 Aug 31.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the possibility of spontaneous carp spermatozoa activation by freeze-thawing. To evaluate this, the parameters of spermatozoa motility percentage, velocity, ATP content level and fertility rate of sperm were used. The motility and velocity of spermatozoa activated by freeze-thawing were characterized by motile spermatozoa with a median value of 16% and a velocity of 98 microm/s. In addition, the motility and velocity of sperm from the thawed samples were significantly lower than in the control (median value of 100% for sperm motility and 175 microm/s for sperm velocity). Furthermore, a spontaneously activated spermatozoa motility terminated within five minutes post-thaw time. After freeze-thawing the ATP level significantly decreased with post-thaw time (46 nmol ATP/10(9) and 10 nmol ATP/10(9) at 25s and 10 min after thawing, respectively). Fertility of spermatozoa was not significantly affected within 10 min post-thaw. On the other hand, the fertility of frozen-thawed sperm was significantly lower if compared to fresh sperm. We conclude that the freeze-thawing procedure spontaneously activated spermatozoa motility in common carp. However, this activation did not negatively affect the fertility of frozen-thawed sperm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Animals
  • Carps
  • Cryopreservation / methods*
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary*
  • Freezing
  • Male
  • Semen Preservation / methods*
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary*
  • Sperm Motility / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphate