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Porcine Spermatozoan Respiration in the Presence of Porcine Follicular Fluid^{1, 2,}

University of Missouri⁴, Columbia 65201

Abstract

Porcine spermatozoan respiration in the presence of porcine follicular fluid was measured using a Gilson Differential Respirometer. Air served as the gas phase and CO₂ was absorbed with KOH. Results were expressed as µl O₂ utilized by 10⁸ sperm per hour at 37 C (ZO² values).

Follicular fluid comprising 5, 10 or 20% of the suspension medium significantly (P< .05) stimulated spermatozoan respiration rates relative to spermatozoa suspended entirely in Ca⁺⁺ -free Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer (KRPG) containing 1 mg glucose per milliliter. At these concentrations, the respiratory response by spermatozoa was proportional to the percentage of follicular fluid in the suspension medium. Lower concentrations of follicular fluid (0.2 or 2%) were ineffective in stimulating respiration. Spermatozoa treated with dialyzed procine follicular fluid had respiration rates lower than KRPG suspended controls. Heating follicular fluid (30 min. at 60 C) did not alter its affect on sperm. The stimulatory effect did not appear to be due to bicarbonate or substrates in follicular fluid.

¹ Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 6277. Approved by the Director.

² This investigation was supported in part by a PHS Training Grant HD-00170 from the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service. We acknowledge assistance with statistical analysis by Marvin Frick and with collection of semen and follicular fluid by R. K. Christenson, C. E. Pope, C. E. Lox and J. Summers.

³ Present address: Department of Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 39th Street and Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City 66103.

⁴ Departments of Agricultural Chemistry and Animal Husbandry.