Comparison of the longevity of motility of stallion spermatozoa incubated at 38 degrees C in different capacitating media and containers.

The study explores the impact of varying conditions on the activity duration of stallion spermatozoa during in vitro incubation at a specific temperature. The research demonstrated that the kind of medium and container used significantly influences the spermatozoa’s motility endurance.

Objective of the Study

The primary goal of this research was to determine how different incubation solutions and containers affect the sustainability of movement in stallion spermatozoa when incubated in vitro at 38 degrees Celsius under either normal air or an atmosphere with 5% carbon dioxide.

Methodology

• Researchers used three ejaculates each from four different stallions.
• Several types of medium were tested, such as skim milk-glucose, modified Krebs/Ringer, Hank’s salt solution for incubation in air, and modified Krebs/Ringer and Brackett and Oliphant (BO) defined medium for 5% CO2 atmosphere incubation.
• Incubation took place in various containers including 5-ml borosilicate glass tubes (with 3 ml or “topped” with 6 ml of extended spermatozoa), 35-mm diameter Petri dishes containing either 3 ml of extended spermatozoa or 200-microL microdroplets of extended spermatozoa shielded by sterile mineral oil.

Process and Results

• Individual samples were extracted after 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours of incubation to assess the percentage of motile spermatozoa.
• On the whole, spermatozoa incubated in Petri dishes (both in 3 ml and microdroplet treatments) were found to have significantly greater motility in comparison to those incubated in glass tubes.
• After 6 and 12 hours of incubation in Petri dishes, spermatozoa that extended in Hank’s Salts solution showed markedly higher progressive motility than those in other media.
• The research confirmed that the choice of medium and container significantly influences the endurance of motility in spermatozoa incubated at 38 degrees Celsius.