Patagonian blenny (E. maclovinus) is a marine species recently placed in captivity and which are potentially farmable. Understanding and improving its sperm capacity to withstand short-term storage conditions is a key element of initiating an artificial propagation program for this species. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ultrastructure and quality of E. maclovinus sperm during refrigerated storage. To address this objective, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cytofluorimetric analysis (membrane integrity; reactive oxygen species generation; mitochondrial membrane potential) and cell respiration/mitochondrial-function analysis (ATP content; oxygen consumption) could be useful for optimizing or improving management for artificial reproduction of this species. Severe damage of plasma membranes was observed by SEM at day 7 and 14 of in vitro storage. Analyses of sperm quality were conducted during the 14-day cold storage period when sperm were in diluted (with Cortland solution) and undiluted conditions. When there were diluted conditions, there was greater preservation of motile capacity (from day-7; P < 0.05), membrane integrity (from day-7; P < 0.05), mitochondrial membrane potential (from day-10; P < 0.05) and ATP stores (from day-3; P < 0.05). Oxygen consumption indicators were 18.6% ±14.7% greater in the undiluted samples from day-3, and 32.1%±2.1% of the total spermatozoa had ample amounts of superoxide anion in both undiluted and diluted semen on day-0. The use of Cortland solution extended the viability of sperm when there were longer storage times. Factors that have a greater effect on the quality of semen during storage are reactive oxygen species generation and ATP depletion. In conclusion, Patagonian blenny spermatozoa can be stored at 4 °C between 7 and 10 days using Cortland solution.
Keywords: Aquaculture; Fish spermatozoa; Short-term storage; Sperm function.
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