Feulgen-DNA Cytophotometry of Bovine Spermatozoa

Abstract

Single-and 2-wavelength methods for quantitating the Feulgen-DNA of bovine sperm have been compared in a total of 240 sperm cells comprising 6 samples. The 2-wavelengths method data gave a mean sample coefficient of variation of 14.6%. Single-wavelength determinations on the same cells calculated by 3 different formulae yielded values with a mean coefficient of variation of 6.5 to 7.3%. Two formulae commonly used by other workers (M=E [PI] R2, M= [PI] C2/F) gave falsely precise values. The difference in the numerical values obtained by these 2 formulae is explained. With the instrument described the best estimate of Feulgen-DNA of bovine spermatozoa is given by the product of the calculated nuclear area and extinction following the standard "core method.".