Efecto crioprotector de la yema de huevo en semen de Prochilodus mariae (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae).

Prochilodus mariae is an endemic species from Orinoco River, of great ecological, cultural and economic importance, whose seminal cryopreservation protocol has not yet been established. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of use and exclusion of egg yolk in the cryopreservation diluent, on the seminal quality of P. mariae. Thus, fresh semen of five healthy and sexually mature males was diluted (1:6), packed in 0,5 mL straws, frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. Two treatments were used: diluent with egg yolk (YH) and diluent without egg yolk (SYH). Motility, motility duration, morphology, plasma membrane integrity and fertility of thawed semen were evaluated, using fresh semen as control. The data were treated with descriptive and parametric statistics, with a confidence level of 95%. The results showed that exclusion of egg yolk significantly improved motility and motility duration, although it did not have a statistically significant influence on plasma membrane integrity, morphological abnormality and fertility. The addition of the egg yolk to the cryopreservation diluent did not present the expected cryoprotective effect. It's necessary to evaluate different concentrations of egg yolk and its interactions with other components of the diluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]