Abstract

The present investigation evaluated the effect in the motility and spermatic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fertility of a saline solution 0.98% NaCl enriched with 2.5; 5.0; 10.0 and 20.0mM of caffeine, using as control saline solution without caffeine. The use of caffeine at a concentration of 10mM in the activator solution duplicated the time of spermatic motility (160.0 ± 18,8s) in contrast with the control (80,0 ± 12,5s). Increased fertility was observed when caffeine was used in the activator, although the values were not statistically different in relation with the control (81.6 ± 5.7%). These results demonstrate the capacity of caffeine to enhance spermatic motility in rainbow trout. Further research must be conducted to elucidate the minimum concentrations of caffeine required in intensive production systems.