Comparative gonad histology and semen quality of normal (XY) and neo-males (XX) of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar )

With an overarching objective of improving the hatchery production of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) all‐female progeny, this study comparatively evaluated the reproductive parameters between normal (genotype XY) and neo‐males (genotype XX). Four normal (XY) and seven neo‐ (XX) males, from the same...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquaculture Research
Main Authors: de Castro, PL, Patil, JG
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2019
Subjects:
Agricultural
Veterinary and Food Sciences
Fisheries sciences
Aquaculture
Atlantic salmon
Salmo salar
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14271
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/134721
Description
Summary:With an overarching objective of improving the hatchery production of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) all‐female progeny, this study comparatively evaluated the reproductive parameters between normal (genotype XY) and neo‐males (genotype XX). Four normal (XY) and seven neo‐ (XX) males, from the same brood stock, distinguished by their ability to or lack of expressing semen, respectively, were comparatively evaluated. The left testicular lobe was used for histomorphometric analyses, while the right for semen collection and sperm quality analyses. Histomorphometric observations revealed that neo‐male testes are irregularly shaped, and have poorly formed seminiferous ducts, higher proportions of interstitial tissue and lower gonadosomatic index ( p <.05). In addition, hypertrophied and cyst forming Sertoli cells were found in these individuals which collectively appear to form a physical barrier, precluding the semen collection by standard stripping techniques and reducing sperm quality. Particularly, semen motility (80.692.4% and 57.236.5% for XY and XX respectively) and duration of motility (99.3128.03s and 66.8423.83s for XY and XX respectively) of neo‐males were most compromised ( p <.05). Interestingly, the TUNEL assay indicated no signs of apoptotic tissue suggesting that the histological differences may relate to delayed physiological/sexual maturity of neo‐males.

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