Studies on the motility and cryopreservation of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) spermatozoa

Abstract

The very short duration of vigorous movement (1½ to 7 min) in fresh water and physiological solutions make trout spermatozoa difficult subjects for cryopreservation studies. Solutions consisting of 250 to 280 mmol sucrose and 5 to 12% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (4 parts) did not activate trout spermatozoa (1 part), but after dilution with fresh water vigorous motility could be fully restored. These sucrose·DMSO solutions were employed in cryopreservation studies. Using straws and a fast freezing - fast thawing procedure, post· thaw dilution with fresh water resulted in 25% - 60% of spero matozoa becoming motile, all with vigorous forward progression. Some existing methods for the cryopreservation of other freshwater fish spermatozoa were repeated on trout without success.