Effects of chronic confinement stress on sperm quality in Eurasian perch (Perch fluviatilis)

(1)

Effects of chronic confinement stress on

sperm quality in Eurasian perch (Perca

fluviatilis)

C

E

F

R

A

S. Esnault

1

_{, T. Tomson}

1

_{,C. Prignon}

1

_{, J.Pontier}

2

_{, S. Deleuze}

2

_{, C. Mélard}

1

_{and C.Rougeot}

1

_{University of Liège, Aquaculture Research and Education Center (CEFRA), Chemin de la Justice, 10,}

B-4500 Tihange, Belgium. C.Rougeot@ulg.ac.be; http://www.cefra.ulg.ac.be

2

_{Equine Clini, Veterinary Medecine Faculty, ULg, Bld de Colonster 20, B-4000 Liège, Belgium}

Introduction

Poster presented at

XIV European Congress of Ichthyology

3-8 July 2012

Liège (Belgium)

Materials and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusions

References

Rougeot, C., Nicayenzi, F., Mandiki, S.N.M, Rurangwa, E., Kestemont, P., Mélard, C. 2004. Comparative study of the reproductive characteristics of XY male and hormonally sex-reversed XX male Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis. Theriogenology 62 : 790-800.

Schreck, C.B. 2010. Stress and fish reproduction : the role of allostasis and hormesis. General and Comparative Endocrinology 165, 549-556.

Schreck, C.B., Contreras-Sanchez, W., Fitzpatrick, M.S. 2001. Effects of stress on fish reproduction, gamete quality, and progeny. Aquaculture 197, 3-24. Ackowledgements: study supported by FRS - FNRS (FRFC n°2.4570.06).

• Sperm concentration, motily and velocity did not change during the final maturation period of males breeders

• Sperm quality, mainly motility and velocity, was not significantly modify by confinement stress.

Sperm concentration and motility

Sperm collection and CASA measurement

• 3 males per batches

• Sperm stiripped and 40x diluted in extender (Bicine solution, pH7.8) = sperm stock solution

• CASA measurement :

• sperm stock 20X diluted for activation • Velocity parameters : straight ine velocity

(VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and averag path velocity (VAP), % of motile sperm and % of progressive sperm

• 3 successive 15s tracking period • Sperm concentration

• Sperm stock solution 50x diluted in extender then 10 fold diluted in 4% formaldehyde solution

• Counted with Büker’s cell

Sperm velocity

• Values of VAP, VCL and VSL are closed to those obtained in a previous study (Rougeot et al., 2004).

• Confinement stress did not significantly (p>0.05) changed the sperm velocity parameters studied in perch breeders during the final maturational period.

• Velocity parameters were not different between the two times of prelevement T1 and T2 • Mature breeders > 2 years old

• 3 confinement levels in duplicate: • 0.36m2_/144l

• 1m2_/500l

• 4m2_/1600l

• Natural chilling process (from 4°C to 15°C) in Recirculating Aquaculture System

• 2 dates of prelevement: early March and last March

Experimental design

Perch, Perca fluviatilis seems highly sensitive to aquacultural stressors (Acerete et al., 2004; Jentoft et al., 2005). In fish, stress affects all life function and particularly reproduction and gamete quality (Sheck, 2001; 2010). The aim of this study is to assess if chronic confinement encountered in intensive rearing system may modify the quality (mainly motility) of the sperm during the reproductive period.

•Sperm concentration ranged from 61.5 to 70.5 x109_cells/ml

and were not significantly different between the confinement level (p>0.05)

•The MOT (%) and progressive MOT (%) significantly (p>0.05) decreased with time after spermatozoa activation •Sperm concentration and motilty (%) were not different between the 2 times of prelevement (T1 and T2)

12M/12F 12M/12F 12M/12F 12M/12F 3M/3F 3M/3F 1M 3M/3F 3M/3F 1M 1M 1M 1M 1M

T1

T2

4m

2

1m

2

Isolated

Fig 1: Motility (%) and progressive motility (%) of pe breeders reared rch sperm in 3 level of confinement at the 2 timof prelevement

0 20 40 60 80 100 Mot (%) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 0 10 20 30 40 50 Mot pro (%) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 0 20 40 60 80 100 Mot (%) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 0 10 20 30 40 50 Mot pro (%) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m T1 T2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 VAP (µm/s) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 VSL (µm/s) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 VCL (µm/s) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 VAP (µm/s) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 VSL (µm/s) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 VCL (µm/s) 15s 30s 45s isolé 4m 1m T1 T2

Fig 2: Comparative sperm VAP, VSL and VCL of perch breeders reared at 3 levels of confinement during the reproductive period