Use of spin labels to evaluate effects of cold shock and osmolality on sperm

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Biol. Reprod.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod18.4.686· OSTI ID:6687208

Hammerstedt, R H; Keith, A D; Snipes, W; Amann, R P; Arruda, D; Griel, Jr, L C

Spin labels were used to evaluate the effects of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), rapid cooling to 0/sup 0/C and osmolality on the integrity of sperm membranes. In vitro incubation of rabbit sperm with 0.5 mM BHT prior to artificial insemination did not alter the fertilizing ability of the sperm. Sperm from 6 species were ranked in terms of susceptibility to membrane damage caused by rapid cooling to 0/sup 0/C. The integrity of bull and ram sperm membranes was destroyed by the rapid cooling; BHT protected membranes of these spermatozoa from cold-induced lysis. Boar sperm membranes were porous after rapid cooling and BHT did not prevent this membrane damage. Membranes of rabbit and rooster sperm were not damaged by rapid cooling to 0/sup 0/C. Stallion sperm could not be analyzed because their membranes were altered by addition of reagents necessary to use the technique. The responses of bull, ram and rabbit sperm membranes to hyper- and hypo-osmotic conditions were determined. Hypotonic treatment (less than 200 mOsm) resulted in a 50 percent expansion of the volume of the aqueous compartment of sperm while hypertonic (700 mOsm) conditions compressed the volume of the aqueous compartment to 25 to 30 percent of the volume measured at 300 mOsm. Bull sperm, but not rabbit or ram sperm, responded as ''perfect osmometers'' between 300 and 700 mOsm.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
• OSTI ID: 6687208
• Journal Information: Biol. Reprod.; (United States), Journal Name: Biol. Reprod.; (United States) Vol. 18:4; ISSN BIREB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550300* -- Cytology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
CATTLE
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CHICKENS
COOLING
CRESOLS
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE
FOWL
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
HORSES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IN VITRO
LABELLING
LYSIS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OSMOSIS
PHENOLS
POROSITY
RABBITS
RESONANCE
RUMINANTS
SPECTROSCOPY
SPERMATOZOA
SWINE
VERTEBRATES
VOLUME