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Effect of Phenylephrine, Ergonovine, Oxytocin and Norepinephrine as an Extender Ingredient on Viability of Bovine Spermatozoa¹

Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6332

Abstract

We evaluated effects of three concentrations of phenylephrine, ergonovine, oxytocin and norepinephrine (myometrial stimulants) on viability of spermatozoa when they were included in a seminal extender. Using a split ejaculate technique, ejaculates from each of 10 bulls were extended in egg-yolk citrate to a final concentration of 35 x 10⁶ sperm/ml, including 20 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml and .2 mg/ml of phenylephrine or ergonovine, 20 IU/ml, 2 IU/ml and .2 IU/ml oxytocin or 200 µg/ml, 20 µg/ml and 2µg/ml norepinephrine prior to freezing. Extended semen without a myometrial stimulant served as the control. Percentage of intact acrosomes was determined prior to freezing for all treatments. Motility and percentage of intact acrosomes were determined immediately after thawing (0 h) and again after 4 h incubation at 37°C. Percentage of intact acrosomes was reduced (P < .05) prior to freezing by phenylephrine (20 mg/ml) and ergonovine (20 mg/ml) (phenylephrine = 56%; ergonovine = 63%; control = 74%). The same doses of phenylephrine and ergonovine reduced (P < .05) post-thaw motility and percentage of intact acrosomes at both 0 and 4 h compared with controls. Sperm exposed even to the intermediate concentration (2 mg/ml) of ergonovine had lower (P < .05) motility 4 h post-thaw. No other compound or concentration of compound affected percentage of intact acrosomes or motility. There were no two or three-way bull x compound and concentration interactions (P > .2). With the exception of the higher concentrations of phenylephrine (20 mg/ml) and ergonovine (20 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml), myometrial stimulants did not influence spermatozoal viability, and therefore may have potential as extender additives to promote uterine motility and(or) sperm transport.

¹ This study was supported by Select Sires, Inc., 11740 US 42, Plain City, OH 43064, and the College of Agric. and Home Econ. Res. Center, Washington State Univ., Project 0699. We thank W. C. Becker for his excellent technical assistance.

² Berry College, Dept. of Agric, Mount Berry Sta., Rome, GA 30149.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci. Send requests for reprints to this author.