The effects of reduced doses of Ovaprim™ (GnRHa + domperidone) on sperm release of Brycon orbignyanus and Prochilodus lineatus were evaluated. Furthermore, sperm quality was compared among fresh, equilibrated and post-thaw samples. Males received a single and reduced dose of Ovaprim™ (0.125 or 0.25 ml/kg); control males received pituitary extract (cPE; 3 mg/kg). Fresh sperm was evaluated for volume, concentration, seminal plasma osmolality and seminal plasma pH. Then sperm was diluted in a freezing medium, equilibrated for 15-20 min and frozen in nitrogen vapor vessel (dry-shipper). Sperm motility was analyzed during 60 s post-activation in fresh, equilibrated and post-thaw samples. Sperm quality of males treated with Ovaprim™ (both doses) were not different from that of cPE-treated males, thus these data were pooled. In B. orbignyanus, motility was higher in fresh (99%) than in equilibrated sperm (81%); post-thaw motility dropped to 42%. In P. lineatus, motility was similar in fresh (99%) and equilibrated sperm (92%); post-thaw motility was 73%. Motility decreased as a function of time post-activation, and this decrease was significant after 60 s in fresh and equilibrated sperm, and as soon as 30 s in post-thaw sperm, in both species. Ovaprim™ at 1/4 of the recommended dose can successfully replace cPE.
CASA; Characiformes; cryopreservation; Ovaprim™; sperm motility
