The objective of this study was to investigate the growth, malformation and survival rate in chub (Squalius cephalus) larvae originating from large-scale cryopreserved sperm. Sperm was cryopreserved in accordance with a protocol (modified extender designed for northern pike, 10% methanol, 1:1, 4 mL cryotube, Styrofoam box) previously developed in our laboratory. Firstly, the motility and different kinetic parameters (fresh, control, cryopreserved) of sperm (control and cryopreserved) used for propagation, and the hatching rate were evaluated. Secondly, the growth (average body weight, total length), malformation and survival rate were assessed in a 12-day rearing experiment (0, 8, 12 days post-hatching - DPH) by the larvae originating from control and cryopreserved sperm.
A significantly lower motility (MOT), progressive motility (pMOT), and linearity (LIN) were recorded in the cryopreserved group compared to the fresh and control groups. The distance average path (DAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), beat cross frequency (BCF) showed significant differences in all three groups. The control group (96±1%) exhibited a significantly higher hatching rate in comparison with the cryopreserved group (70±14%). Sperm cryopreservation had no major negative effect on the growth (except only in total length at 0 DPH), malformation and survival rate of chub larvae. Extending the study period to encompass the complete pre-nursing or grow-out periods in future research would be beneficial.
The research was funded by the GINOP-2.2.1-18-2020-00026 grant. Furthermore, our work was also co-financed by the project 2022-1.2.6-TÉT-IPARI-TR-2022-00002 within the framework of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund announced by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. This research was also funded by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology within the framework of the Thematic Excellence Programme 2021, National Defense and Security sub-programme (TKP2021-NVA-22). This work was supported by the Research Excellence Programme and the Flagship Research Groups Programme of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Our experiments were funded by the EKÖP-MATE/2024/25/K (EKÖP-24-V/MATE-6) university research scholarship Programme of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund. The study was supported by the project “Support for talent management programmes in colleges” (NTP-SZKOLL-23-0043), commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation and funded by the National Cultural Fund of Hungary.