Physical-chemical factors that regulate spermatic motility in fish: basic and applied aspects. A review

Abstract

In most teleost fish with external fertilization, the spermatozoids are immobile in the seminal fluid and they are activated only after making contact with an aqueous medium. The time of flagellar movement is short in most species. Furthermore, the factors that trigger this process are different for each one. However, almost for all species, factors such as osmolarity, temperature, pH and ionic composition have a key role in activating or modulating the flagellar activity. The present review examines the factors involved in the activation of sperm and its regulation in fish with external fertilization. Additionally, an analysis is conducted regarding the management of commercially farmed fish semen, with emphasis on salmonid species.