title: Comparison of nuclear hydration in boar spermatozoa before and after freeze-thawing: contrast analysis of cells embedded in bromide-labeled medium.
abstract: Epon labeled with bromide was used to embed ejaculated and freeze-thawed spermatozoa, with the hypothesis that it replaces most of cell water. Image analysis of relative contrasts between sperm nuclei and the surrounding medium revealed that when used in low concentrations, bromide is mostly adsorbed to the nuclear structures. For higher concentrations, the chromatin is saturated, and the increase in contrast can be used to calculate relative differences in the hydration of nuclei. Boar sperm nuclei are more hydrated after freeze-thawing than before.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Station de Physiologie de la Reproduction, Monnaie, France.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Courtens
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ekwall
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Plöen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001965:Bromides; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D003287:Contrast Media; D015925:Cryopreservation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016613:Plastic Embedding; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001965:Bromides; D003287:Contrast Media; D014867:Water