Some Effects of Hypertonic and Hypotonic Solutions on the Livability and Morphology of Bovine Spermatozoa

Studies reported to date on diluting fluids for bovine semen have presented only limited information concerning the effects of varying freezing point depressions of diluents on spermatozoa livability and morphology. Osmotic swelling and distension Of the head of mammalian spermatozoa generally has not been observed, according to Anderson (1). He further states, "The tails in hypertonic solutions show irregular zig-zag bends, while in hypotonic solutions, especially in distilled water, the tails are curled in rings." Anderson (1) also calls attention to the statement by Milovanov that mammalian sperm have retained the ability of adaptation to changes in osmotic pressure to a certain extent. The work of Roemmele who found that the osmotic pressure in terms of the freezing point depression of bull semen was -0.62 C. with a range of from -0.54 to -0.73 C., and also Bernstein and Sergin who report an average freezing point depression of-0.609 C. with a range of -0.53 to -0.65 C. is cited by Anderson (1). Salisbury et al. (7) found the freezing point depression of bull semen to be -0.653 C. A positive and significant correlation coefficient of 0.33 between spermatozoa count and the freezing point depression also was reported. As the spermatozoa count decreased the magnitude of the freezing point depression increased.