Some Effects of Hypertonic and Hypotonic Solutions on the Livability and Morphology of Bovine Spermatozoa

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of varying freezing-point depressions on bovine spermatozoa have not been well understood. Suggested diluents for bovine semen for the most part have been intended to maintain an osmotic pressure equal to a freezing point depression of -0.54 to -0.73[degree]C. Several investigators indicate that osmotic swelling and distension of the head of mammalian spermatozoa has not been observed. In a further study of this problem the effect of varying the freezing-point depression of semen diluents was investigated with special emphasis on livability of spermatozoa and the morphological changes produced. Freezing-point depressions ranged from -0.19[degree] to -1.05[degree]C. The optimum range for survival was -0.44 to -0.61[degree]C in terms of freezing-point depressions or 2.3 to 3.5% Na citrate (dihydrate) soln. Hypertonic solns. of the order of 100% hypertonicity were detrimental to spermatozoa survival. It was concluded that the upper limit of hypertonicity is a freezing-point depression of 0.69[degree]C. Hypotonic solns. with a freezing-point depression as low as -0.19cC maintained spermatozoa equal to the optimum. No measurable effect on the morphology of spermatozoa heads in the various hyper- and hypotonic solns. was obtained.