Effect of Retention of Spermatozoa and Ova of Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, in Water and Without Addition of Water, on Fertility

Abstract

Viability of ova and of spermatozoa was retained after considerable exposure to water and to air before fertilization. Fertilization occurred when spermatozoa were held in water for 8 hr (10.9% ova fertilized) and in air for 72 hr (4.4%), and when ova were held in water for 28 min (3.4%) and in air for 96 hr (73.7%). Great variation in results suggested that little importance could be attached to the actual percentage of eggs fertilized.