[Effects of washing gametes on their fertilization in rainbow trout]

Isolation and washing experiments were carried out to test the respective influences of coelomic and seminal fluids on gamete fertilizing ability. Isolating or washing gametes in salt solutions similar to the accompanying medium did not alter their fertility. On the contrary, the fertilization rate was lower when ova and spermatozoa were washed before insemination. Fertilizability was considerably lower for ova washed exclusively in media with NaCl or low osmotic pressure. The paper discusses some protein factors in the coelomic and seminal fluids which may have a protector effect on gametes, especially spermatozoa.