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 persiansturgeon, acipenser persicus, by determination of seminal plasma indices (ioniccomposition and osmolality), sperm density and their relationships with spermmotility. the osmolality of seminal plasma ranged from 42.00 to 111.00 mosmolkg'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)1.38xi09spz/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 significantcorrelations between ionic composition and osmolality of the seminal plasma andsperm motility (p(greater than)0.05). no relationship was observed between sperm density andits motility at the concentrations tested (r2 0.0 is, p(greater than)0.05). the ionic compositionand osmolality of seminal plasma reveals an inter-species specific as well highsecretory activity of sperm duct. the clear differences observed in a. persicusshould be considered when cryopreservation methods for sperm are developed inacipenseridae species.