Determination of some seminal plasma indices, sperm density and sperm motility in the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

Some biological aspects of semen were investigated in the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, by determination of seminal plasma indices (ionic composition and osmolality), sperm density and their relationships with sperm motility. The osmolality of seminal plasma ranged from 42.00 to 111.00 mOsmol Kg l. The concentrations of Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Chloride (Cl), Calcium (Ci+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) ions were 62.44(PLUS-MINUS)6.82, 6.92(PLUS-MINUS)0.88, 21.l1(PLUS-MINUS)5.41, 0.79(PLUS-MINUS) 0.03 and 0.52(PLUS-MINUS)0.03mM i. , respectively. The sperm density was 8.34(PLUS-MINUS)1.38xI09 spz/ml. The Sodium/Potassium and Calcium/Potassium ratios were 9.02 and 0.13,0.905, P(GREATER THAN)O.OOI) and Na^+ - cr (r2 0.584, P(GREATER THAN)0.05). There were also no significant correlations between ionic composition and osmolality of the seminal plasma and sperm motility (P(GREATER THAN)0.05). No relationship was observed between sperm density and its motility at the concentrations tested (r2 0.0 IS, P(GREATER THAN)0.05). The ionic composition and osmolality of seminal plasma reveals an inter-species specific as well high secretory activity of sperm duct. The clear differences observed in A. persicus should be considered when cryopreservation methods for sperm are developed in Acipenseridae species.