Validation of the sperm quality analyzer and the hypo-osmotic swelling test for frozen-thawed ram and minke whale (Balaenoptera bonarensis) spermatozoa.
The object of the present study was to investigate the validation of the sperm quality analyzer (SQA) and the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test with standard sperm analysis methods in frozen-thawed ram and minke whale spermatozoa. In rams, highly significant correlations were observed in the percentage of motile spermatozoa (P<0.01) and sperm concentration (P<0.01) between the standard and SQA methods. But, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa did not significantly correlate between the standard and SQA methods. The percentages of swollen spermatozoa at 15 minutes by the HOS test were significantly correlated with the motility by the standard (P<0.05) and by the SQA (P<0.05) methods. For minke whale spermatozoa, the SVI (sperm viability index) values by the standard method were significantly (P<0.001) correlated with the sperm motility index (SMI) values by SQA. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was also significantly correlated (P<0.01) with the motility measured by SQA. Using different hypo-osmotic solutions and incubation times, the HOS test with 25, 100 and 150 mOsM did not show significant variations. Motility observed by the standard method and the percentage of swollen spermatozoa were significantly correlated (P<0.05). These results indicate that the SQA and HOS test can be utilized to assess the post-thawing motility of ram and minke whale spermatozoa, and that the SQA and HOS test values are significantly correlated in ram spermatozoa. However, sperm concentration and morphologically normal spermatozoa are not assessed accurately by SQA in minke whales.
Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Production Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan.
Yutaka
Y
Fukui
Morihiko
M
Togawa
Norihito
N
Abe
Yuuki
Y
Takano
Masatsugu
M
Asada
Aki
A
Okada
Kenji
K
Iida
Hajime
H
Ishikawa
Seiji
S
Ohsumi
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D013074:Sperm Banks; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014907:Whales
D007038:Hypotonic Solutions