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Fertilization dynamics in sockeye salmon and a comparison of sperm from alternative male phenotypes
Author(s) -
Hoysak D. J.,
Liley N. R.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2001.tb02286.x
Subject(s) - biology , sperm , fertility , human fertilization , sperm competition , sperm motility , fertilisation , zoology , longevity , oncorhynchus , reproduction , ecology , fishery , anatomy , fish <actinopterygii> , embryo , cryopreservation , botany , population , demography , genetics , reproductive technology , sociology
Sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka sperm maintained high fertility for 10 s after being exposed to water but fertility dropped sharply after that. Eggs also showed limited longevity after being immersed in water, with a large drop in fertility occurring after 20 s of exposure to water. The association between eggs and sperm occurs very rapidly. 80% fertilization success was achieved with 5 s of sperm‐egg mixing and c. 25% was achieved with <0·5 s of sperm‐egg mixing. Sperm from different male age classes differed little in motility and did not differ at all in their propensity to fertilize eggs. The results have important implications for mate choice and sperm competition.