The primary function of spermatozoa is to fertilize the oocyte, which depends on their motility and is directly associated with their metabolic state. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of spermatozoa reflects the respiratory capacity of sperm mitochondria under various physiological conditions and is an essential marker of sperm quality. We determined the OCR of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sperm using two respirometry methods: the conventionally used polarographic method with a Clark-type electrode and fluorometric assay with an Oxo Dish optochemical oxygen sensor. The latter was used for the first time to evaluate spermatozoa oxygen consumption in various metabolic states (under different treatments) at different dilution rates. These two methods were compared using Bland-Altman analysis, and the applicability of the optochemical oxygen sensor for evaluating carp sperm oxygen consumption was discussed. Sperm motility and progressive velocity parameters were also assessed to evaluate the effect of sperm respiration under different metabolic states and dilution rates and preincubation period on the physiological status of spermatozoa. The comparison of these respirometry methods clearly shows that while the polarographic method allows immediate measurement of oxygen levels after adding a sperm sample, the optochemical oxygen sensor has a priority in the amount of data obtained due to simultaneous measurements of several samples (e.g., different males, different fish species, repetitions of the same sample or various experimental conditions), even at a later time after adding sperm to the measuring chamber. However, the compared methods are complementary, and the proposed methodology can be applied to other fish species.

• Keywords
• Clark-type electrode, Common carp, Optochemical oxygen sensor, Oxygen consumption rate, Sperm motility, Spermatozoa,
• MeSH
• Cell Respiration physiology   MeSH
• Fluorometry * methods   veterinary   instrumentation   MeSH
• Carps * physiology   metabolism   MeSH
• Oxygen metabolism   MeSH
• Sperm Motility physiology   MeSH
• Polarography * methods   instrumentation   veterinary   MeSH
• Spermatozoa * physiology   MeSH
• Oxygen Consumption * physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Oxygen MeSH