title: Transitory acidification of semen as a potential method for the inactivation of some pathogenic microorganisms. Effect on fertilization and development of ova in superovulated heifers.
abstract: The fertilizing capacity of transitorily acidified semen was investigated with respect to using acidification as a method for destroying or inactivating acid labile pathogenic microorganisms in semen prior to freezing. Ejaculates diluted 1:1 with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were acidified to pH 5.0 for 2 or 5 minutes before being returned to their original pH. They were then frozen by commercial methods and used to artificially inseminate superovulated heifers. A total 739 ova and embryos was collected from 119 inseminated donors. The fertilization rate was 88%, and 78% of the embryos were of transferable quality. Semen acidification had no apparent effect on the post-thaw percentage of intact acrosomes.
authors.affiliation: Agriculture Canada, Animal Diseases Research Institute, NEPEAN, P.O.Box 11300, Station H, Nepean, Ontario, Canada K2H 8P9.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bielanski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eastman
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hare