Abstract
Summary
The stimulating effect of low levels of bicarbonate on the respiration rate of boar, ram and rabbit spermatozoa was studied using the oxygen electrode. Bicarbonate at levels of 93, 185 and 283 μ/ml was found to stimulate O2 uptake of boar sperm 17, 21 and 29% (P<.01) respectively. With rabbit sperm the increase in O2 uptake was approximately 14% (P<.01) for all levels. Corresponding values for ram spermatozoa were 16, 13 and 13% (P<.01). Without bicarbonate rabbit sperm respired at a rate of 33, boar sperm 19, and ram sperm 30 μl O2/108 cells/hr. These values are higher than those found with manometric techniques. Succinate significantly stimulated ram sperm respiration above bicarbonate controls. Swine and rabbit spermatozoa utilized significantly more oxygen in the presence of bicarbonate than sperm incubated in the presence of succinate. Additions of oviduct secretions from the sow, ewe and rabbit were found to increase O2 uptake by 18, 11 and 12% respectively over the maximum rate obtained with bicarbonate suggesting the presence of additional stimulants in female tract secretions.
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