Motility and ATP content of extended equine spermatozoa in different storage conditions
Heiskanen, M.L.; Pirhonen, A.; Koskinen, E.; Mäenpää, P.H.
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement 35: 103-107
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0449-3087 PMID: 3479564 Document Number: 299171
Fresh and washed spermatozoa collected with an open-ended artificial vagina from 10 stallions were incubated in various biological and artificial media under different atmospheric conditions. Spermatozoa did not survive for more than 12 h when kept without dilution in the original seminal fluid. The most favourable media tested for long-term sperm survival were Kenney's medium or Kenney's medium supplemented with 10 mM theophylline and 10 mM Hepes, pH 7.2. Centrifugation and slow cooling to 5 degrees -7 degrees C improved survival, as did incubation in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2 or in a closed plastic bag with no air-space. In the most favourable circumstances, spermatozoa could stay alive for up to 4-5 days. The adenosine triphosphate concentration in spermatozoa was correlated with motility only in fresh samples extended with Kenney's medium (0.74, P<0.001) or with supplemented Kenney's medium (0.53, P<0.05).The pregnancy rates 16 days after oestrus in mares inseminated once with extended and cooled spermatozoa stored for 24 h were 82 (n = 11) and 70% (n = 10) for Kenney's medium and supplemented Kenney's medium resp.