Skip to main content

Research Institute of fish Culture and Hydrobiology /RIFCH/

The Research Institute was established in Prague in 1921. In 1953 it was moved to the town of Vodňany in South Bohemia. Since 1996 it has been part of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice.

About Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology

The laboratory carries out besides lecturing also basic and applied research with focus on reproduction of our economically significant and endangered fish species primarily.
The main tools are microscopes equipped with stroboscopic lamp, high speed camera and computer assisted system and software of image analyses for evaluation of sperm motility parameters, bioluminescent method for ATP measuring, proteomics, micromanipulations, fluorescent, confocal and electron microscopy. Tests of fertilization and hatching are performed at Genetic fisheries center. The outputs are in form of methodologies, technologies and research articles focused on activation, reactivation and immobilization of gametes, sex determination, determination of maturity stages in females, genomic manipulations, short and long term storage of gametes (cryoconservation), sex reversal and evaluation of endocrine disruptor effects. The laboratory possesses a gen bank with cryopreserved sperm, blastomers and spermatogonia of various fish species and breeds.

Laboratory is currently involved in the program of large research infrastructure Cenakva VVI in frame of the project Biodiversity (CZ.02.1.01./0.0/0.0/16_025/0007370 “Reproductive and genetic procedures for preserving fish biodiversity and aquaculture”) and is main investigator of project GAČR 18-12465Y „An investigation of guidance mechanisms of spermatozoa in freshwater fish“.

The laboratory also offers assistance in sex and maturity stage determination and in artificial reproduction of fish itself, especially in sturgeons.

The description of rotation of sterlet spermatozoa flagella on the bottom of drop. Time between frames is 2 millisec. This picture is from study of Sergey Boryshpolets, which gained the award for the best presentation of PhD student during the 3rd International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes in Budapest, Hungary.

The acrosome of Siberian sturgeon before and after activation.

Freezing of fish sperm and embryos
A)  work on freezing machine freezing the carp sperm;
B)  freezing machine for cell freezing to -196 °C;
C) gutters with individual boxes, heating, recirculation and UV sterilization are used for testing fertilization and hatching performance.

The determination of sex and oocyte stage using biopsy and collection of eggs in sterlet.
 The hermaphroditic carp gonad with spermatocytes and oocyte

Staff and contacts

Stay in touch
social media

© 2021 University of South Bohemia
Cookies

1