The effect of static magnetic field on Danube huchen, Hucho hucho (L.) sperm motility parameters [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Abstract

The distribution range of Danube huchen, Hucho hucho (L.) in Polish waters is decreasing, and is currently only 25 to 30% of its original area. Since few data are available concerning Danube huchen, it is necessary to develop a better understanding of its reproduction to improve artificial spawning in hatcheries. Eight sperm motility parameters were assessed using CASA after short-term storage in a static magnetic field. The effect of magnetic field exposure on spermatozoa at fertilization and on sperm morphology (SEM) was also examined. Static magnetic fields had a positive effect on sperm motility parameters, including VCL, which determines fertilization effectiveness; values for this parameter after a 24 h exposure period to fields of different intensity were as follows: 1 mT – 110.09 µm s-1; 5 mT – 111.65 µm s-1; 10 mT – 152.10 µm s-1; control – 102.09 µm s-1. Egg fertilization rates of spermatozoa held for 24 hours in fields of 1mT was 71.32%, 5mT – 58.23%, and 10mT – 59.99%, and in the control – 32.60%. The mean length of spermatozoa was 27.14 ±0.22 µm; the head was elongate; length without the neck was 2.80 ±0.19 µm; the width was 2.0 ±0.08 µm. This study suggests that the method of exposing sperm to magnetic fields might, after more extensive studies, could be used for short-term sperm storage.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

K. Formicki [+], J. Szulc, A. Tański, A. Korzelecka-Orkisz,
P. Kwiatkowski
Department of Hydrobiology, Ichthyology and Biotechnology of Reproduction
West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin
ul. Kazimierza Królewicza 4, 71-550 Szczecin, Poland
Tel.: +48 94 449 66 65; e-mail: krzysztof.formicki@zut.edu.pl
A. Witkowski
Museum of Natural History, University of Wrocław, Poland