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Gas-pressure Technique for Preservation of Bovine Spermatozoa^{1, 2,}

Department of Animal Science, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Corvallis

ABSTRACT

Two studies were conducted, one to determine the effects of 20 psi of CO₂ and N₂ upon motility and storage life; the other to measure the effects of 20 psi of CO₂, N₂, or Ar on motility, storage life, and fertilizing capacity of bovine spermatozoa.

In the first experiment, a total of 39 ejaculates from seven dairy bulls were standardized to contain 40 x 10⁶ spermatozoa/milliliter of egg-yolk citrate (1:3) diluent. Split-samples were subjected to 20 psi of CO₂ or N₂ for 60 min at 20–22 C and were then stoppered and hermetically sealed at atmospheric pressure prior to storage (4C). Microscopic evaluation of the per cent motile cells and spermatozoal progressive motility for Day 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 significantly (P < 0.01) favored N₂ and CO₂ treatments when compared with controls. In the second experiment, 15 ejaculates from five dairy bulls were standardized, treated (CO₂, N₂, or Ar), and evaluated in the same manner. Per cent motile sperm and spermatozoal progressive motility were significantly (P < 0.01) favored in the descending order by Ar, N₂, and CO₂ compared with controls. Preliminary nonreturn data from 417 inseminations revealed no significant differences (P > 0.01) between the control semen, CO₂ or N₂ treated semen, or Ar treated semen after storage from one to four days, three to seven days, and one to 14 days, respectively. This technique prolonged spermatozoal motility, in a fluid medium, beyond that obtained by reduced temperature alone.

¹ Technical paper No. 1254.

² The data are from a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree.