title: Extending the viability of emu spermatozoa during in vitro storage by manipulation of temperature and diluent potassium concentration.
abstract: 1. Survival of emu spermatozoa during in vitro storage is not affected by increasing the extracellular [K(+)] to the point where it does not adversely affect spermatozoa function. 2. In three experiments, the effects were studied of [K(+)] in a diluent in the range 12·5-80 mM/l on emu spermatozoa survival for up to 48 h at 5, 10 or 20°C. 3. At the end of the storage period, spermatozoa viability, motility, fertilising ability and morphology were measured. 4. In Experiment 1, spermatozoa viability and morphology were adversely affected after storage (P < 0·001) only in the diluent containing 80 mM/l [K(+)] whereas spermatozoa motility decreased as [K(+)] increased from 12·5 to 80 mM/l. 5. In Experiment 2, during storage at 5°C, the spermatozoa viability was comparable among any of the diluents (standard or modified) but morphology was better (P < 0·001) in all of the modified diluents than in the standard E3 diluent. 6. In Experiment 3, after 48 h of storage in a diluent containing 40 mM/l of [K(+)], the spermatozoa functions were better preserved at 10°C than at 5 or 20°C. 7. It is concluded that a higher than physiological level of potassium can be used in a diluent without detrimental effect on emu spermatozoa survival during 48 h storage and that the best outcome was with storage at 10°C rather than 5 or 20°C.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia. sushil.sood@uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Malecki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tawang
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020312:Dromaiidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry*; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000662:veterinary; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium