Fertilization environment of the non-copulating marine sculpin, Hemilepidotus gilberti

Abstract

To clarify the extracellular environment for external fertilization in the non-copulating marine sculpin Hemilepidotus gilberti, sperm motility was measured in NaC1, KC1, mannitol solutions, seawater, and ovarian fluid. Spermatozoa of H. gilberti actively moved in seminal plasma the moment they were removed from the genital papilla. Spermatozoa showed higher motility in NaCl solution at osmolalities between 300–400 mOsmol kg⁻¹. In KC1 and in mannitol solutions, spermatozoa actively moved at osmolalities between 500 and 800 mOsmol kg⁻¹, and at osmolality 300 mOsmol kg⁻¹, respectively. The ovarian fluid was a transparent and viscous gelatinous material, rich in sodium with an osmolality of 340 mOsmol kg⁻¹. Sperm motility in the ovarian fluid lasted more than 90 min, which was six times longer than in seawater. This sperm motility under conditions isotonic to body fluid is similar to that of copulating marine sculpins rather than to other non-copulating marine fishes. In addition, eggs of H. gilberti could be fertilized in the ovarian fluid. This suggests that external fertilization takes place under physiological conditions similar to the internal conditions of the ovary provided by the ovarian fluid, which isolates the eggs from sea water for several hours after spawning. This manner of fertilization is thought to be one of the evolutionary pre-adaptations allowing copulation among marine sculpins.