Carp pituitary treatment versus poly (lactiac-co-glycolic acid) microparticles with slow release of Alarelin at 35 µg kg-1 or 200 µg kg-1 body weight to induce spermiation was compared in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus. All hormone treatments initially increased testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone, with a subsequent decline in testosterone but consistent high levels of 11-ketotestosterone at 48 and 72 h post-treatment. Spermiation did not differ between hormone-treated groups, and was not detected in controls receiving saline solution. Administration of the carp pituitary led to maximum sperm production 24 h post-treatment, followed by a decrease at 48 h post-treatment, with no sperm obtained at 72 h. The effect of Alarelin at 35 µg kg-1 bw and carp pituitary did not differ at 24 and 48 h post-treatment, whereas 200 µg kg-1 bw Alarelin was associated with significantly lower spermatozoon concentration 24 h post-treatment compared to carp pituitary, with no difference in milt volume. Higher relative sperm production was observed 48 h after injection of Alarelin at 200 µg kg-1 bw compared to carp pituitary. Spermatozoon motility was significantly higher in fish receiving Alarelin at 35 µg kg-1 bw than 200 µg kg-1 bw. The treatment with optimal effect on inducing spermiation was poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles with slow release of Alarelin at 35 µg kg-1 bw.

• Klíčová slova
• reproduction, sperm, sturgeon, sustained release,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Sturgeon sperm maturation occurs outside the testes during the transit of testicular spermatozoa (TS) through the kidneys and the Wolffian ducts. A method of in vitro TS maturation in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus was used to investigate the effects of temperature and hormonal stimulation of spermiation on the ability of TS to complete this process. Spermatozoa motility parameters after in vitro maturation of testicular sperm, concentrations of sex steroid hormones and testis morphology were studied in three groups of sterlet: (1) after overwintering in ponds (OW), (2) adapted to spawning temperature (ST), and (3) adapted to spawning temperature with hormonal induction of spermiation (ST-HI). Blood plasma concentrations of testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and 17,20β-dihydroxy-pregnenolone increased significantly after hormonal induction of spermiation (group ST-HI). In all groups, TS were not motile. After in vitro sperm maturation, motility was up to 60% only in group ST-HI. The data suggest that the ability of TS to be matured in vitro was not related to the environmental temperature, while hormonal stimulation of spermiation during the spawning season was an absolute requirement for optimal in vitro maturation.

• Klíčová slova
• Wolffian duct, hormonal stimulation of spermiation, kidney, seminal fluid, sex steroid hormones, sperm maturation, spermatozoan motility, sturgeon,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH