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The tonicity of murine epididymal spermatozoa and their permeability towards common cryoprotectants and epididymal osmolytes

T Cooper, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, D-48129, Germany
J Barfield, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Colorado, Fort Collins, United States
C Yeung, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, United States

Correspondence: Trevor Cooper, Email: TrevorG.Cooper{at}ukmuenster.de

Abstract

The permeability of murine cauda epididymidal spermatozoa was determined from the swelling caused by penetrating agents at isotonicity, which lay between 422 and 530 mmol/kg. Spermatozoa were permeable to a range of solutes with size <200 dalton. Relative entry rates of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) were ethylene glycol = DMSO > propane-1,2-diol > glycerol > propane-1,3-diol. More polar compounds, including major epididymal secretions were impermeant. None of the compounds entered spermatozoa through quinine-sensitive channels; rather, quinine increased the size of solute-swollen spermatozoa, suggesting that regulatory volume decrease (RVD) and osmolyte loss occurred under these conditions. Volume responses to lowered osmolality revealed a greater volume-regulating ability of spermatozoa from the BL6D2F1 strain than the C57BL6 strain. As the former strain displays better post-thaw fertility, their spermatozoa may have greater osmolyte loads enabling them to cope better with osmotic stress. Inadequate volume regulation, due to CPA-induced osmolyte loss, may affect for post-thaw fertility. Knowing the permeability towards cryoprotectants will help in the choice of CPAs that are less damaging to sperm during cryopreservation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C Callies, T G Cooper, and C H Yeung Channels for water efflux and influx involved in volume regulation of murine spermatozoa Reproduction, October 1, 2008; 136(4): 401 - 410. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]