Assessing Sperm Quality Parameters in Mass-Spawning Norwegian Arctic Charr

Gaps in knowledge exist regarding sperm quality in farmed fish and its variation with age. The literature shows differing results among populations with diverse genetic backgrounds. Data collected from captive mass-spawning Norwegian Arctic charr were analysed to investigate sperm quality parameters and their age-related variations. We conducted a retrospective review of 63 milt analysis records from broodfish aged 2–9 years. Sperm motility and kinetic parameters decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with advancing age, whereas no significant changes were observed in sperm concentration. A regression model explaining approximately 30% of the variation (adjusted R² ≈ 0.3) suggested a significant and negative effect of age on sperm swimming velocities (p < 0.05). Finally, the analysis of the ddRAD data did not reveal significant genetic associations. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into age-related trends and may serve as a foundation for further investigations into the sperm quality performance of populations with varying reproductive strategies and genetic structures.