Effects of exposure to different times and aluminum concentrations on the spermatic parameters of lambari-do-rabo-amarelo, Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

Abstract

Anthropogenic actions in the aquatic environment, such as the release of industrial, domestic and rural effluents containing metals, can trigger negative effects on reproduction and other physiological processes of animals. Among the metals, we highlight aluminum (Al), which has no apparent function in the body, but can cause adverse conditions acting as an endocrine disruptor (ED). Some studies have demonstrated the alteration caused by Al in the synthesis of reproductive hormones as well as bioaccumulation in the gonads. However, no studies have been carried out to demonstrate whether this metal can be "absorbed" by the spermatozoa and / or cause changes in sperm characteristics. The hypothesis of this proposal is that spermatozoa, in contact with Al will suffer damage in the membrane, in the mitochondrial activity, spermatic kinetics and genotoxic effects. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of exposure to different times and concentrations of Al in the sperm parameters of Astyanax altiparanae. The semen of the animals will be incubated in different concentrations of Al: 0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5 mg/L, maintained at 20 ° C and for 50 seconds, 10 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours under these conditions. For each animal will be collected 50uL of semen, which will be diluted in 1.5 mL of Beltsville Thawing Solution. After the exposure period, the semen corresponding to each treatment will be analyzed for spermatozoa membrane vitality, mitochondrial activity, spermatic kinetics and sperm genotoxicity.