Short-term cold storage of Atlantic sturgeon sperm

Short‐term cold storage of fish sperm with oxygen, an established fisheries technique, was successfully used to preserve milt from Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus). All milt samples stored for 5 d on ice and replenished daily with oxygen retained at least 80% motility and at least 99% viability. One sample exhibited 40% motility after 17 d. For management personnel involved in restoration of this rare fish, this technique offers an alternative to dependence on the simultaneous capture of ripe males and females from severely depleted stocks. It may also be used during transport prior to fertilization or cryopreservation.