SPERM MOTILITY ANALYSIS IN AQUATIC SPECIES: POTENTIAL AND APPLICATION OF CASA-MOT SYSTEMS IN AQUACULTURE

ANALISI DELLA MOTILITÀ SPERMATICA NELLE SPECIE ACQUATICHE: APPLICAZIONI E PROSPETTIVE DEI SISTEMI CASA-MOT IN ACQUACOLTURA

Abstract

Sperm motility is a key factor in assessing semen quality, as it indicates the structural and physiological integrity of the sperm cells and their ability to fertilise eggs. Computer-assisted analysis of sperm motility (CASA-Mot) describes the movement kinetics of individual spermatozoa along their tracks. Studies carried out by our research group on fish, sea urchins and mussels have proven that CASA-Mot systems can evaluate sperm motility quickly and easily, and that they are also highly sensitive and effective at evaluating the effects of environmental parameters and the presence of pollutants, as well as the influence of sperm management and breeding conditions on functional sperm integrity. These factors are not always highlighted by a simple evaluation of total motile spermatozoa. Overall, CASA-Mot systems offer interesting prospects for wider use in aquaculture, a field which also relies on in-depth studies of sperm motility physiology in species of potential economic interest.