Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a widely used method of assisted reproduction in mammals. However, it is not well established in non-mammalian species. In fish, ICSI has been successfully optimized in only a few model species. In this study, we used ICSI for the first time in critically endangered sturgeons. Using a combination of different species (beluga, sterlet, Siberian and Russian sturgeon), we optimized different types of ICSI. We then evaluated fertilization success and paternity of the resulting embryos and larvae. Using single, freshly collected, non-activated sperm, all combinations of crosses produced normal-shaped, food-accepting fish after ISCI. Molecular analysis showed genome integration of both parents in most of the individuals. It can be said that ICSI technology can be used as an assisted reproduction technology to rescue valuable paternal genomes of sturgeon.
Fatira, E., Havelka, M., Saito, T., Landeira, J., Rodina, M., Gela, D., Pšenička, M., 2022. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in sturgeon species: A promising reproductive technology of selected genitors. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9:1054345. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.1054345
Written by: doc. Ing. Martin Pšenička, Ph.D.
