The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of water contaminated by cadmium on the rates of oocyte fertilization and egg hatching, and sperm motility duration on jundiá catfish (Rhamdia quelen). Two trials were performed: in trial 1, it was evaluated the effect of cadmium on the artificial fertilization of oocytes and egg hatching and in trial 2, the effects of cadmium on the sperm motility duration were evaluated. In both trials, it was used a completely randomized experimental design with five levels of cadmium in the water (0; 20; 50; 80 and 110 mg L-1) evaluated with four (trial 1) or three replicates (trial 2). Fertilization and hatching rates showed linear response, remaining constant up to the levels of 28.6 and 40.4 mg L-1, respectively. From these levels, a linear effect inversely proportional between the fertilization and hatching rates and an increase in the levels of cadmium occurred. The increase on the level of cadium in the water had an inverse linear effect of sperm motility duration providing a reduction from 21.8s in clean water to 10.6s in contaminated water containing 110 mg L-1. Levels from 20.0 to 28.6 mg L-1 influence sperm and oocytes of jundiá catfish, respectively.
artificial fertilization; catfish; fish; metal; semen
