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Toxic Effect and Action of Dead Sperm on Diluted Bovine Semen

New Zealand Dairy Board, A.B. Centre Newstead, R.D.4, Hamilton, New Zealand

ABSTRACT

The toxic effect of dead sperm on diluted bovine semen and the modifying effect of certain compounds on this toxicity were investigated.

Toxicity is associated with an amino aeid oxidase which becomes active only after death of sperm. A metabolic product of this enzyme, peroxide, is responsible for the toxic effect of dead sperm. The enzyme is active against aromatic amino acids only. Its toxic effect is enhanced by increasing egg yolk, inhibited by ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (EDTA), and eliminated by catalase. Inhibition of toxicity by EDTA is by protection of sperm against deleterious effects of peroxide and not by inhibition of the enzyme. The enzyme is inhibited by ethyl maleimide indicating active sulphydryl groups. It is labile to heat being inactivated by heating to 90 C for 2 minutes. It is also labile to pH 3 and pH 9. An active fraction was obtained from dead sperm by precipitation with 30% acetone. Activity of ejaculated dead sperm is only slightly less than freshly killed sperm. Practical implications are discussed.