Kurokura Solution as
Immobilizing Medium for Spermatozoa of Tench (Tinca tinca L.)
M. Rodina, J. Cosson, D.
Gela, O. Linhart-2004
Aquaculture International, 12(1):
119-131
Abstract:
This study tested KUROKURA solution (Kurokura et al.,
1984, Aquaculture 37, 267–274) and its
modifications (by increasing NaCl content to 160, 180 and 200 mM) on
immobilizing properties for sampling and short-term preservation of
potential motility of tench spermatozoa. The immobilizing solution is used
because, when collected, the sperm of most samples is contaminated by urine,
causing spermatozoa to be of poor quality, with low motilities and
velocities (almost 0), thus resulting in a worsened fertilization and
hatching rate. Sperm was sampled with a syringe containing an immobilizing
solution (IS), allowing an IS:sperm ratio of 2:1, under aerobic conditions
at 0–4°C.
This sperm solution was stored for 10 h and untreated sperm was collected
prior to fertilization as a control. Spermatozoa quality was evaluated for
the cell motility and velocity parameters and also for fertilization ability
and hatching rate. Results obtained for tench sperm motility, velocity,
fertilization and hatching rate showed that only sperm collected in the
various immobilizing solutions can be successfully used for artificial
insemination and preservation after 10 h at 0–4°C.
The best immobilizing solution was found to be KUROKURA 180 (180 mM NaCl,
2.68 mM KCl, 1.36 mM CaCl2· 2H2O
and 2.38 mM NaHCO3), giving a fertility and hatching rate of 41%,
with no change in rates after 10 h storage of sperm. Control sperm without
immobilizing solution showed a fertilization and hatching rate of only 6–7%.
(Joint Laboratory of Genetics,
Physiology and Reproduction of Fishes, Institute of Animal Physiology and
Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and University of South
Bohemia, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, 38925 Vodňany,
Czech Republic, Tel: +420-383-382402; fax: +420-383-382396, e-mail: linhart@vurh.jcu.cz)