Diluters for Bovine Semen. VIII. The Effects of Alterations of Some Physical Factors of a Milk Diluter on the Livability of Bull Spermatozoa

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Abstract
Effects of alterations in pH, osmotic pressure and electrolyte concentration of a cysteine-treated nonfat dry milk solids diluter on livability of bull spermatozoa were studied. There were no differences in livability between the 2 osmotic pressure levels studied (approximately -0.50[degree] C and -0.70[degree] C), and no appreciable differences among pH levels studied (6.2, 6.6, and 7.0). Addition of either 5.0 or 10.0 ml of 0.5[image] NaCl solution to 100 ml of diluter resulted in significantly improved livability. A highly significant interaction between pH and electrolyte concentration indicated that higher pH levels require higher levels of electrolytes. Neither pH nor osmotic pressure of the diluter changed appreciably during a 12-day storage period. No improvement in spermatozoan livability can be expected by alteration of pH, osmotic pressure or buffering capacity of the diluter used, but that addition of 0.5 [image] NaCl slightly improves livability.