An objective method for evaluating Angus and Hereford sperm motility
Atherton, R.W.
International Journal of Fertility 20(2): 109-112
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-725X PMID: 3474 Document Number: 95922
In Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford semen samples, sperm motility was evaluated by an objective spectrophotometric procedure and by a conventional subjective ranking system. Semen was collected by electro-ejaculation and divided so that one group contained 6 Angus samples and one group contained 12 Hereford samples. Objective procedures indicated that Angus spermatozoa were twice as motile as Hereford spermatozoa in 2.9% sodium citrate. The objective procedure depends on the orientation of spermatozoa in a flowing liquid and then spectrophotometrically measuring their ability to return to random motion when the flow is stopped.During preparation for freezing with liquid nitrogen, microscopic subjective ranking of sperm motility was carried out: (I) on arrival at the laboratory, (II) before freezing, and (III) after thawing. No significant difference in subjective evaluation of sperm motility was found between times I, II and III or between breeds.Preliminary results indicate that the objective procedure can distinguish between the sperm motility in 2.9% sodium citrate of semen from 2 breeds of cattle. The usefulness of this objective procedure for studies relating to fertilisation and AI is evident, and there is no theoretical reason why the procedure cannot be used with other species.