The Effect of some Seminal Constituents and Related Substances on Diluted Mammalian Spermatozoa

Abstract

The effect was studied of a number of seminal constituents and related substances on the motility of diluted ram, bull, rabbit, and human spermatozoa. All tests were made with a fructose phosphate diluent over a 4-hour period at room temperature. Trace concentrations (<0.20 mg/100 ml) of Cu, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn had little effect on ram, bull, or rabbit spermatozoa, except that Gu depressed the motility of ram spermatozoa. Biotin improved the viability of bull spermatozoa but had no effect in ram or rabbit. Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, inositol, p-amtno-benzoic acid, pantothenic acid, and folic acid were inactive in all spp. None of 21 amino acids had any significant beneficial action on ram, bull, or rabbit spermatozoa, and some were toxic. Cytochrome c and spermine phosphate improved the motility of rabbit spermatozoa but not those of ram or bull. Citric acid, choline chloride, CoI, and adenosine triphosphate were inactive and ascorbic acid toxic to the spermatozoa of all 3 spp. Human spermatozoa were particularly susceptible to dilution and no protective action was shown by substances beneficial in other spp.