The influence of ploidy level on ultrastructure and motility of tench Tinca tinca (L.) spermatozoa.

The ultrastructure of diploid and triploid tench Tinca tinca (L.) spermatozoa were examined using electron microscopy focusing on parameters that influence movement. Triploid tench were produced artificially using a cold shock. Spermatozoa of triploid males in comparison with diploids featured significantly larger head ( P < 0.01), higher amount of mitochondria ( P < 0.05), and, surprisingly larger widths of the peripheral doublets and central pair of microtubules and the single microtubule ( P < 0.01). However, the diameters of the flagellum were without significant differences as well as the length of the flagellum and length and width of the midpiece. Also motility parameters of spermatozoa did not significantly differ between diploid and triploid males, but the total velocity (summary of spermatozoa velocity and duration of movement) positively correlated with the flagellum length and negatively with the head diameter of tench spermatozoa with a high significant influence ( P < 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]