DEPENDENCE OF SPERM MOTILITY AND RESPIRATION ON OXYGEN CONCENTRATION

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Abstract
Motility and respiratory rate of bull, ram and cock spermatozoa as a function of oxygen concentration were correlated by stimultaneous determinations on the same suspensions. Motility changes were found to parallel exactly those of respiratory rate. Motility and respiratory rate were both constant in the range of oxygen concentrations from that in air down to a critical oxygen concentration of 0.6[plus or minus] 0.06% (corresponding to an O2 partial pressure of 4 to 5 mm Hg). At this point there was a sharp reduction in respiratory rate and a rapid inactivation of the bulk of the spermatozoa. Oxygen consumption and motility ceased entirely below 1 mm Hg O2 partial pressure (0.13% O2). No appreciable differences in the critical O2 values were found between the 3 species. The respiratory rate and and the critical O2 concentrations were not altered appreciably by the presence of glucose or fructose.