Technical study of the characteristics of sperm kinetics in freshwater fish using a computerized semen analysis system and fish semen cryopreservation

• Grant number: 25/02720-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Applied Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Ninhaus Silveira
• Grantee: Letícia Giosa Paulino
• Supervisor: Borys Dzyuba
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice (USB), Czech Republic
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/09246-7 - Investigation of the reproductive potential of Pangasionodon hypophthalmus: determination of seminal characteristics, BP.IC

Abstract

In Brazil, most native species produced in captivity require artificial reproduction, and generally, the primary concern is the quality of female gametes, the oocytes, while the quality of male gametes takes a secondary role. However, if semen quality is not adequate, oocyte fertilization will be inefficient. In this context, semen quality is a fundamental factor in fish production. Therefore, understanding methodologies for semen analysis is essential both at the research level and for producers. Currently, more efficient methodologies for semen analysis are available, such as CASA - Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, which enables a more precise evaluation of a greater number of kinetic and morphological parameters of fish sperm. Its use has been crucial for more accurate selection of breeders and the development and optimization of gamete cryopreservation protocols, thereby improving fertilization rates. However, due to the great variability among fish species, there is significant variability in seminal characteristics, requiring technical and biological knowledge to make adjustments to the system that ensure the accuracy of results. This project will be conducted at the Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in ¿eské Bud¿jovice, located in the Czech Republic, in the city of Vod¿any. I will be under the guidance of Dr. Borys Dzyuba. My objectives include expanding my knowledge of the CASA system for fish semen characterization across various possible approaches, aiming to improve the quality of the results intended for my scientific initiation project, as well as learning seminal cryopreservation protocols.