METABOLISM OF HUMAN SPERM1

Abstract

Glycolysis and respiration of human sperm were measured simultaneously. Sperm from [male][male] who were definitely fertile, probably fertile, and suspected of impaired fertility, all glycolyzed aerobically in Ringer-bicarbonate, in human follicular fluid, and in semen. Quantitative differences could not be detected among the 3 groups. O2 uptake was observed in only 3 instances out of 30 expts. made with Ringer-bicarbonate; all 3 specimens were from rfd in the first 2 groups. Of 5 tests made with modified semen 2 showed evidence of slight O2 consumption, both specimens being from [male][male] considered probably fertile. Lesser quantities, considered within the range of exptl. error, were consumed by 3 specimens from [male][male] considered probably infertile. The sperm from 7 of 10 [male][male] in the first 2 groups took up O3 in unaltered semen, and the cells from 2 of 6 [male][male] in the 3d group did so. Additional expts. would be necessary to establish a difference in respiratory metabolism of sperm from [male][male] known to be fertile and sperm of [male][male] suspected of impaired fertility when the cells are examined in unaltered semen. Degree of motility and density of sperm population may be in some cases major factors in determining the metabolic rate. No significant differences in content of bicarbonate and reducing substance were observed in the seminal plasmas of the 2 main groups of [male][male].