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New Portable Equipment for Measuring Respiration of Sperm Cells^*

University of Minnesota

Abstract

The breeding efficiency of bulls has been shown to be positively correlated to the respiration rate of their sperm (Walton and Edwards, 1938). It has also been demonstrated that the glycolytic power of sperm cells is related to their viability (Comstock, 1938, 1939a, 1939b). A correlation of 0.88 between respiration and glycolysis rates was found in this laboratory (unpublished data on 132 samples from 18 rams.) The same data show these two criteria, respiration and glycolysis rates, to be about equally related to viability; therefore they appear of equal value as measures of fertility. While one cannot predict how useful either will be, at present, any advantage must be given to respiration rate since to date no work such as Walton and Edwards' has linked glycolysis rate with actual breeding efficiency.

The extensive use of either of the above criteria for the practical purpose of making fertility tests depends on the development of equipment suitable for field use. The laboratory equipment used thus far is too bulky and fragile to be considered portable, and it is too costly to be used for economic purposes. The equipment for measuring respiration to be described herein is both portable and moderate in cost.

^* Paper No. 1858, Scientific Journal Series of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Contribution from the Animal Genetics Section, Divison of Animal and Poultry Husbandry.

^** The author is indebted to John N. Cummings of the Animal Husbandry Department of Montana State College for assistance and many helpful suggestions in assembling the described apparatus.