Refrigerated storage of lane snapper Lutjanus synagris sperm

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to refrigerated storage of the lane snapper sperm. Firstly, motility rate, motility time, sperm density and spermatocrit were appraised to characterize the fresh sperm quality. Three different extenders with different ionic compositions and pH values were used in the refrigerated storage sperm at 4°C in normal atmosphere and modified atmosphere (100% oxygen). Fertilization test was accomplished to evaluate the viability of the refrigerated sperm. The results demonstrated that the fresh sperm has a spermatozoa density of 2.2 ± 0.2 x 10⁹ spermatozoa mL^-1, motility rate >90% and motility time for 137 ± 20 seconds. A positive relationship was found between spermatocrit and spermatozoa density (r² = 0.75; P<0.05). In the experiment of refrigerated storage, the motility rate and the motility time were maintained appropriate for 72 hours for the extender A (63 ± 6%; 274 ± 44 seconds) and B (63 ± 6%; 172 ± 7 seconds) in normal atmosphere. In the modified atmosphere, the sperm quality fell drastically during the first 24 hours, independently of the used extender, not propitiating advantage. The results demonstrated that the refrigerated sperm of lane snapper is a viable alternative for the short-term storage, being possible to maintain for up to 48 hours an appropriate sperm viability, providing fertilization rate up to 50%.