An evaluation of hamster, rat, and mouse sperm-cell motility in media formulated with water of different qualities

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Abstract
The in vitro motility of caudal epididymal spermatozoa from four hamsters, four rats, and four mice was compared in modified Tyrode's medium (TLP-PVA) prepared with water of three qualities: (1) Sigma tissue culture water, 18 mΩ, high quality (HQ); (2) deionized distilled water, 4,5 mΩ prior to distillation, intermediate quality (IQ); and (3) tap water, low quality (LQ). The objective was to evaluate the in vitro bioassay potential of spermatozoa from these species, in terms of relative sensitivities to toxins in different qualities of water. An average sperm motility index (SMI) was calculated per treatment at 2, 4, and 6 hr, where SMI=fpm2×% motility. Hamster SMI could be used to discriminate between HQ and IQ media at 4 and 6 hr (PPP<0.001). These results suggest that hamster spermatozoa provide the more sensitive in vitro bioassay model, while rat and mouse spermatozoa may be used for assay of extremes in water quality.