The Effect of some ions on sperm motility performance and efficiency of Artificial propagation of Bighead Carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

In this study, Saline solutions containing cations (Na+, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2) were used to investigate the effect of ions on motility characteristics of spermatozoa (sperm movement duration and percentage of motile spermatozoa) and fertilizing capacity of sperm (fertilization rate, hatching rate, larvae length during hatching, larvae length during active feeding and survival rate) in Aristichthys nobilis. To test the effects of ions on sperm motility, Na+ (NaCl) (1495, 1886 and 2277 mg/L), K+ (KCl) (819, 936 and 1503 mg/L), Mg2+ (MgCl2)(48, 72 and 96 mg/L) and Ca2+ (CaCl2) (20, 50 and 70 mg/L) were used.The results showed highest sperm movement duration in solutions containing 1503 mg/L KCL, 50 mg/L CaCl2, 2277 mg/L NaCl and 48 mg/L MgCl2 respectively. Among tested ions, solutions containing NaCl had more influence on fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa than other ions. Our results showed that solutions containing CaCl2 had a negative effect on fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa. Understanding the effects of these ions could be useful to the aquaculture industry and subsequently to improving the quality of fish sperm during artificial propagation.