Effect of ocean acidification on marine fish sperm (Baltic cod: Gadus morhua )

• Published in: Biogeosciences
• Main Authors: J. Havenhand, C. Clemmesen, V. Stiebens, A. Y. Frommel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2010
• Subjects: Ecology; QH540-549.5; Life; QH501-531; Geology; QE1-996.5; Gadus morhua; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-7-3915-2010; https://doaj.org/article/a788a79989a44696913b13d7992664c1

Ocean acidification, as a consequence of increasing marine p CO 2 , may have severe effects on the physiology of marine organisms. However, experimental studies remain scarce, in particular concerning fish. While adults will most likely remain relatively unaffected by changes in seawater pH, early life-history stages are potentially more sensitive – particularly the critical stage of fertilization, in which sperm motility plays a central role. In this study, the effects of ocean acidification (decrease of pH T to 7.55) on sperm motility of Baltic cod, Gadus morhua , were assessed. We found no significant effect of decreased pH on sperm speed, rate of change of direction or percent motility for the population of cod analyzed. We predict that future ocean acidification will probably not pose a problem for sperm behavior, and hence fertilization success, of Baltic cod.