Determination of some seminal plasma indices, sperm density and sperm motility in the Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus

Some biological aspects of semen were investigated in the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, by determination of seminal plasma indices (ionic composition and osmolality), sperm density and their relationships with sperm motility. The osmolality of seminal plasma ranged from 42.00 to 111.00 mOsmol Kg-1. The concentrations of Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Chloride (Cl-), Calcium (Ca2+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) ions were 62.44±6.82, 6.92±0.88, 21.11±5.41, 0.79± 0.03 and 0.52±0.03mM L-1, respectively. The sperm density was 8.34±1.38×109 spz/ml.  The Sodium/Potassium and Calcium/Potassium ratios were 9.02 and 0.13, respectively. The following significant positive correlations were found between seminal plasma indices; osmolality - Cl- (r2= 0.492, P