EFFECT OF pH ON THE SWIMMING RATE OF BULL SPERMATOZOA

Abstract

Measurements were made of the swimming rate of bull spermatozoa at a concentration of 10,000 cells per [mu]l in physiological saline solution and in saline solution buffered with 0[center dot]014 M-phosphate at pH values of 6[center dot]5, 7[center dot]5 and 8[center dot]5. The buffers at pH 6[center dot]5 and 7[center dot]5 gave results similar to those for unbuffered saline solution. At pH 8[center dot]5 there was an initial advantage, both in percentage motile and in swimming rate. By the end of 1 hr, the spermatozoa were, however, swimming more slowly, and fewer were surviving than in any other medium. The significance of these results in relation to the swimming of spermatozoa in the female tract is discussed.