Ovarian fluid enhances sperm movement in Arctic charr
E.
Turner, R. Montgomerie-2002
Journal
of Fish Biology, 60(6): 1570-1579
Abstract:
Like
the spermatozoa of most other fish species spawning in fresh
water, Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus sperm were
short-lived (mean 42s) after activation and their
swimming speed declined rapidly during this period,
e.g. from a mean speed of 106µm s-1 at 10s after
activation in fresh water to 21µm s-1 only
20s later. Ovarian fluid significantly influenced
sperm longevity (duration of forward mobility), per
cent motility, swimming speed and the linearity of
sperm movement. All of these variables generally increased
as the concentration of ovarian fluid increased from 0
to 50%, even though ovarian fluid is more than three
times as viscous as fresh water. It is concluded that
ovarian fluid enhances sperm movement in this species
and thus has the potential to influence both
fertilization success and the outcome of sperm
competition.
(Department
of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada Tel.: +1 613
533 6127; fax: +1 613 533 6617; email of R. Montgomerie:montgome@biology.queensu.ca)