Sperm from pheromone primed brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) produce more larvae

Fish Physiol Biochem. 2013 Jun;39(3):471-8. doi: 10.1007/s10695-012-9712-3. Epub 2012 Sep 14.

Abstract

Male goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to female hormonal pheromones express increased milt volumes and their sperm fertilize more eggs than sperm from unprimed males. Ovulated salmonid females also release odours that increase volumes of strippable milt in males. It is, however, not known if the priming pheromones affect the ability of sperm to fertilize eggs in salmonids. In this study, we compare the proportion of larvae produced from in vitro fertilization tests between primed brown trout (Salmo trutta) males exposed to a mix of female urine and ovarian fluids, and control males exposed only to 0.9 % sodium chloride. We also investigate priming effects on milt yield and sperm motility. Fertilization tests with sperm from single males, as well as sperm from two males (i.e., sperm competition), were performed. Primed males generated more larvae in both the single male and competition fertilization tests. No differences between treatments in milt yield and sperm motility could be established.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaculture / methods*
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects*
  • Fertilization / drug effects*
  • Fertilization in Vitro / veterinary
  • Follicular Fluid / chemistry
  • Larva / physiology
  • Male
  • Sex Attractants / analysis
  • Sex Attractants / pharmacology*
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Sweden
  • Trout / physiology*
  • Urine / chemistry

Substances

  • Sex Attractants