Effect of storage time and cryoprotectant concentrations on the fertilization rate and hatching rate of cryopreserved sperm in red seabream (Pagrus major Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)

Abstract

This study examined the effects of storage time and cryoprotectant concentrations on the post-thaw sperm of red seabream, Pagrus major. Sperm treated with 12%, 15%, 18% and 21% DMSO were cryopreserved for 10, 30, 60 and 360 days, and fertilization and hatching rates were analysed. For all groups, there were no differences in the fertilization rates and hatching rates between sperm cryopreserved for <60 days and fresh sperm (98.8±0.8%, 96.4±1.3%). However, for sperm cryopreserved for 360 days, both fertilization rates (88.6±3.0% to 7.0±1.9%) and hatching rates (79.4±7.2% to 3.3±0.8%) decreased drastically. Furthermore, the cryoprotectant concentrations affected sperm quality significantly (P<0.05). When cryopreserved for 360 days, sperm treated with 15% DMSO obtained the best results compared with other concentrations. We suggest that 15% DMSO may be an effective cryoprotectant for long-term sperm cryopreservation of red seabream.