Oxygen Damage to Bull Spermatozoa and its Prevention by Catalase

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Abstract
Studies on 10 ejaculates of bovine semen in the egg yolk-citrate diluent during incubation at 46.5[degree]C and storage at 5[degree]C under air, O2 and N2 showed that increased oxygen tensions produced deleterious effects which were manifested by decreased motility and livability of the spermatozoa and a reduction in their ability to convert sugar to lactic acid. Oxygen damage to spermatozoa was largely eliminated when catalase was added to the diluted semen. Increased aeration caused by gentle mixing shortened the life of stored bull spermatozoa in the yolk-citrate diluent, but the presence of added catalase in mixed samples obliterated the harmful effects of mixing. The effectivensss of catalase in preventing the harmful action of O2 and shaking on bull spermatozoa in the egg yolk-citrate diluent led to the conclusion that increased aeration speeded the production of H2O2 by the permsatozoa thus shortening their life span. A minimum of shaking and a minimum of air space left above the diluted semen in tubes used for storage and shipping in routine artificial breeding are recommended.