The Technique for Characterizing Mammalian Spermatozoa as Dead or Living by Differential Staining

Abstract

A differential straining medium for characterizing mammalian spermatozoa as dead or living is descr. The medium, eosin B (0.8 g.) and fast green FCF (2 g.) dissolved in 100 ml. [image]/8 phosphate buffer (pH 7.35), differentially stains human, bull, ram, stallion and rabbit spermatozoa, but a substance in the seminal plasma interferes with the differential staining of boar spermatozoa. Any water-soluble halogen derivative of fluorescein differentially stains mammalian spermatozoa. The fluorescein derivative must be in a soln. of an ionizable substance possessing a pH within the range of 6.8-7.8. The background staining substance is one which stains the intercellular seminal residue and does not stain either dead or viable spermatozoa.