Abstract
Fertilization of freshwater fish occurs in the environment which negatively affects a lifespan of gametes mostly due to the osmotic shock; therefore, male gametes should reach the female gamete, as soon as possible. The existence of mechanisms controlling the encounter of gametes would be highly expedient in this case. By analogy with other species for which guidance was demonstrated, it is likely that this control may be performed by ovarian fluid or substances released by eggs. The aim was to study the effect of ovarian fluid and egg-released substances on spermatozoa behavior in sterlet. It was found that the presence of a particular concentration of ovarian fluid (30% solution in water) had an inhibiting effect on spermatozoa motility initiation. Lower concentrations of the ovarian fluid improved the longevity of spermatozoa and did not affect their trajectories. Test of chemotactic response (using a microcapillary injection of fluids into the suspension of motile spermatozoa) showed no effect of ovarian fluid on spermatozoa behavior, while at the same time, the attracting effect of the egg-conditioned medium was evident (i.e., due to some substances released from the eggs during their contact with freshwater). The results of the fertilization test showed that the presence of ovarian fluid prevented the eggs from losing the fertilizing ability due to the contact with water, as well as promoted the spermatozoa to fertilize the eggs during a longer period of time. Thus, the combined physicochemical action of “female factors” affects sterlet gametes during fertilization and may be involved in the guidance and selection mechanisms.
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The study was financially supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic – projects “CENAKVA” (LM2018099), by project Biodiversity (CZ.02.1.01./0.0/0.0/16_025/0007370 Reproductive and genetic procedures for preserving fish biodiversity and aquaculture), by the Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice (125/2016/Z and 097/2019/Z), and by the Czech Science Foundation (18-12465Y).
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Kholodnyy, V., Dzyuba, B., Gadêlha, H. et al. Egg-sperm interaction in sturgeon: role of ovarian fluid. Fish Physiol Biochem 47, 653–669 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-020-00852-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-020-00852-2