Fertilizing ability of short-term preserved spermatozoa Abant trout (Salmo trutta abanticus

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate spermatological parameters and fertilizing ability of short term stored semen in different extenders from endemic Abant trout (Salmo trutta abanticus T,1954). Semen was collected from 30 adult males by the hand stripping method without anesthesia. Having determined the main spermatological properties (volume, motility, movement duration, concentration and pH), the pooled samples were diluted at a 1:2 ratio with two extenders (0.3 M glucose or Ringer solution). The diluted semen was stored for 48 hours at 4°C. Following the cooled storage, motility of the spermatozoa was evaluated after 24 and 48 hours regarding the post-cooled period. Dry fertilization technique was used for the fertilization trials. Eggs were pooled from 30 females by the hand stripping method. Fertilization took place in dry plastic dishes and 600 eggs were used in each fertilization trial. The sperm-egg ratio was approximately 0.25x10 sperm/egg. After swelling, eggs were rinsed with hatchery water (7C) and batches were placed into vertical incubation trays. The experimental success was assessed from sperm motility and the percent of eyed-egg 25 days after fertilization. Average fresh semen motility was 81.4 %. According to the results of the experiment, the highest motility (67 % after 24 h, 53 % after 48 h) and movement duration (60 s after 24 h, 42 s after 48 h) were determined by using glucose extender after 24 and 48 hours storage. Fertility rate of fresh semen was 84.4 %. The highest eyed-egg rate (80.4 %) was obtained from semen stored with glucose based extender after 24 h storage. After 48 hour storage fertilization yield for the semen diluted with 0.3 M Glucose decreased to 61.9 % and to 43.8 % for the one diluted with Ringer solution. Our results indicate that glucose based extender is a better preservative than Ringer solution for the short term preservation of Abant trout semen.