Influence of testis state, temperature and delay in semen collection on spermatozoa motility in the cultured Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt)

A factorial design was set up to test the effects of three factors on sperm atozoa motility in cultured Siberian sturgeons, Acipenser baeri, removed fr om 10 degrees C water temperature. From the four tested temperatures (10 de grees C, 12.5 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 17.5 degrees C) during hormonal t reatment, the significantly highest spermatozoa motilities (65%) were obtai ned at 10 degrees C and the lowest (41%) at 17.5 degrees C. The increasing delay in semen collection gave the following results: 24 h (30% motility), 36 h (72%), 48 h (64%) and 60 h (53%). Males of which the testis state was referred to as firm or soft gave significantly better spermatozoa motilitie s (70%) as compared with viscous or liquid testis (40%). Semen pH, osmotic pressure and spermatocrit did not show any relationship with spermatozoa mo tility. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.