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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395882
Research Project: Improving the Productivity and Quality of Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: The impact of time and environmental factors on the mitochondrial vesicle and subsequent motility of amphibian sperm

Author
item CHEN, DEVIN - Mississippi State University
item MOORE, MARIAN - Mississippi State University
item WILLIS, ERIN - Collaborator
item KOUBA, ANDREW - Mississippi State University
item VANCE, CARRIE - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2022
Publication Date: 3/20/2022
Citation: Chen, D.M., Moore, M., Willis, E.L., Kouba, A.J., Vance, C.K. 2022. The impact of time and environmental factors on the mitochondrial vesicle and subsequent motility of amphibian sperm. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 268:111191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111191.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111191

Interpretive Summary: The findings from this study shed light on the evolutionary importance of the mitochondrial vesicle and its role in an externally fertilizing species. The order Anura reverted from internal to external fertilization over time, which could help to explain the evolution of the mitochondrial vesicle that affords sizable energy reserves that help keep anuran sperm motile for longer periods of time compared to other external fertilizers, such as fish. This research on the relationship of the mitochondrial vesicle to sperm motility is valuable not only on a basic science level but also for applied conservation science.

Technical Abstract: For amphibian species that display external fertilization in an aquatic environment, hypoosmotic shock to sperm cells can quickly result in damage to cellular structure and function. This study sought to determine how fertilization media osmolality, temperature, and time impact the stability of the mitochondrial vesicle’s association with the sperm head and thus motility and quality of forward progression. The presence of the mitochondrial vesicle and its relationship with sperm motility and quality of forward progression were analyzed in sperm samples from the Fowler’s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) (n = 10) when held for six hours under two temperatures and four osmolalities. Results indicated that the presence of the mitochondrial vesicle is needed for sperm motility over time (p < 0.001), where higher osmolalities (p < 0.001) and lower temperatures (p < 0.001) correlated with maintaining the vesicle attachment to the spermatozoa. The higher osmolality of spermic urine was the most important factor for maintaining higher quality of forward progressive motility (p < 0.01) of spermatozoa. Sperm samples held at 4 'C and 40 mOsm/kg had the longest half-life for motility (540 min) and quality of forward progression (276 min), whereas sperm held at 22 'C and 2.5 mOsm/kg had the shortest halflife for motility (7 min) and quality of forward progression (18 min). Special attention should be given to the osmolality and temperature of fertilization solutions, or breeding tank water, when developing cold storage protocols for toad sperm or reproducing animals to ensure the retention of the mitochondrial vesicle for maximum fertilization capability.