Efecto de algunos iones sobre la activación espermática en Brycon henni (Eigenmann 1913)

Spermatozoa in Characid fish remain immobile in seminal plasma and are activated when freed into water where the ionic balance seems to be the main factor starting the activation process. This process was the target of the present study with emphasis on the activation of motility and on motility maintenance over time. The effect of isosmotic solutions was analyzed taking into account the possible combinations of the following ions, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+ and Na+ as well as the effect of channel blocking agents. The parameters measured were cells with motility (%), duration of motility (s), plasma membrane potential, and the effect of channel blockers on activation time and on motility. There was an increased motility when the semen was incubated in solutions containing K+ (