A METHOD FOR OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE FERTILIZING ABILITY OF SPERMATOZOA IRRESPECTIVE OF GENETIC CHARACTER

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Authors:
J. M. BEDFORD
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and
J. W. OVERSTREET
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0310407
Volume/Issue:
Volume 31: Issue 3
Page Range:
407–414
Article Type:
Research Article
Online Publication Date:
Dec 1972
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Summary.

X-irradiation with 6000 to 10,000 rad can be used as a method of `marking' a population of rabbit spermatozoa without affecting their fertilizing ability. Following a mixed insemination, irradiated spermatozoa compete equally well with non-irradiated spermatozoa from the same population, as judged by differential egg development 50 hr after insemination, at which time eggs fertilized by irradiated spermatozoa display obviously retarded cleavage.

In this paper, the technique has been used to demonstrate: (a) a subtle decrease in the fertility of spermatozoa after incubation in vitro at 40° C, which was not detectable by insemination of the treated sample alone, (b) the ability of spermatozoa from the proximal cauda epididymidis to initiate contact with and fertilize ova as readily as ejaculated spermatozoa following mixed insemination, there being no delay in the time of egg penetration by the epididymal spermatozoa, (c) the existence of selective fertilization between individuals of the same breed, as well as those differing genetically.

The irradiation marking technique could have many applications in comparative assessment of the fertility of semen from different individuals, irrespective of their genetic make-up, and in testing the effect of various treatments or environments on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa.

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Print ISSN:
1470-1626
Online ISSN:
1741-7899