Abstract
The distribution range of Danube huchen, Hucho hucho (L.) in Polish waters is decreasing, and is currently only 25 to 30% of its original area. Since few data are available concerning Danube huchen, it is necessary to develop a better understanding of its reproduction to improve artificial spawning in hatcheries. Eight sperm motility parameters were assessed using CASA after short-term storage in a static magnetic field. The effect of magnetic field exposure on spermatozoa at fertilization and on sperm morphology (SEM) was also examined. Static magnetic fields had a positive effect on sperm motility parameters, including VCL, which determines fertilization effectiveness; values for this parameter after a 24 h exposure period to fields of different intensity were as follows: 1 mT - 110.09 μm s-1; 5 mT - 111.65 μm s-1; 10 mT - 152.10 μm s-1; control - 102.09 μm s-1. Egg fertilization rates of spermatozoa held for 24 hours in fields of 1mT was 71.32%, 5mT - 58.23%, and 10mT - 59.99%, and in the control - 32.60%. The mean length of spermatozoa was 27.14 ±0.22 μm; the head was elongate; length without the neck was 2.80 ±0.19 μm; the width was 2.0 ±0.08 μm. This study suggests that the method of exposing sperm to magnetic fields might, after more extensive studies, could be used for short-term sperm storage.