Semen characteristics and extenders competency during refrigerated storage of snow trout (Schizothorax richardsonii) semen

Abstract

The present study has investigated the semen characteristics and competency of different extenders for refrigerated storage of snow trout (Schizothorax richardsonii) semen. Semen samples were collected by stripping ripe male brooders during the spawning season. The pH (7.31 ±0.07), sperm concentration (3.77 ±0.78x108/ml), spermatocrit value (63.13 ±10.27%), and sperm motility duration (59.70 ±16.55 s) were determined by analysing 98 semen samples from different breeding phases. The short-term preservation of S. richardsonii semen was made under refrigerated conditions. Four extenders (Mounib’s medium, KCl medium, extender modified from Buyukhatipoglu & Holtz, 189 M of Horton) each in two dilution ratios (1:4 & 1:10) were scrutinized for their competency. During refrigerated storage, sperm motility percentage and motility duration was evaluated after every 24 hours until the viability of semen samples. Mounib’s medium was found significantly superior to the KCl medium (P<0.01), extender modified from Buyukhatipoglu & Holtz (P<0.02) and extender 189 M of Horton (P<0.002) in retaining sperm motility up to 9 days at 0-4 °C. It was also observed that the dilution ratio of 1:4 was not significantly different than the 1:10 ratio in all extender media (P ns, n=10).