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Influence of Atmosphere and Incubation Temperature on the Metabolism of Washed Boar Spermatozoa¹

Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Abstract

The effect of atmosphere and incubation temperature on the metabolism of washed boar spermatozoa was studied in three experiments. Sperm-rich fractions from ejaculates of four Yorkshire boars were mixed, washed and resuspended in an artificial medium. Aliquots of each mixed sample were incubated for 6 hr. at 37 C in either an atmosphere of air or 100% nitrogen in experiment 1. In experiments 2 and 3 the aliquots of each mixed sample were incubated for 6 hr. in an atmosphere of air at 36°, 37° or 38 C and at 38°, 39° or 40 C, respectively.

The fructolysis and motility of washed boar spermatozoa were severely inhibited by an atmosphere of 100% nitrogen. Aerobically however, respiration, fructolysis and motility proceeded at a high rate while pH decreased during the 6-hr, incubation period. A significantly higher rate of metabolism was observed when washed boar spermatozoa were incubated aerobically at 38 C for 6 hr. than at any of the other incubation temperatures used. The rates of oxygen consumption, fructose utilization and lactic acid accumulation at incubation temperatures above 38 C decreased more rapidly with time than at the lower temperatures studied. This suggests the possibility that enzymes associated with respiration and fructolysis are being inactivated at these high temperatures. Temperature coefficients of spermatozoan metabolic activity (Q₁₀ values) for fructose utilization, 14 lactic acid accumulation and oxygen consumption, respectively, of 1.86, 1.81 and 2.38 for the temperature range of 36° to 38 C indicate that respiration of washed boar spermatozoa is more seriously affected by changes in incubation temperature than is fructolysis within the temperature range studied.

¹ This investigation was supported in part by PHS Pre-doctoral Fellowship No. 5-F1-GM-21, 562-02 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Submitted as Journal Paper No. 2698, Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Present address: Department of Agriculture, Northwest Missouri State College, Maryville 64468.

³ Present address: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens 30601.