Short Communication Effect of Post-Thaw Storage Time on Motility and Fertility of Cryopreserved Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) Sperm

The aim of this study was to test the influence of post-thawstorage time on the duration of sperm motility, percentage ofmotile sperm, and fertilization and hatching rates of freshsperm and sperm stored for 0, 30 and 60 min at 4°C post-thawing. After being frozen in liquid nitrogen and thenthawed, the percentage of motile sperm and duration ofmotility were not affected by 30 min of storage at 4°C, whereasa significant decline in these parameters was observed after60 min of storage. Similarly, fertilization and hatching rateswere significantly affected within 60 min of storage at 4°C, andthe fertility of frozen-thawed sperm was significantly lowerthan that of fresh sperm. We conclude that cryopreservedsperm of beluga sturgeon could be stored for 30 min withoutthe loss of sperm quality. This described procedure for belugasturgeon cryopreservation is reliable and efficient and there-fore can be recommended for hatchery practice after scaling upthis technique.