The effect of glucose and citric acid on Bovine sperm motility patterns

Aim and Sperm motility is a critical factor for fertilization. Glucose and citric acid can be metabolized by these cells. We study the role of these two on Bovine sperm motility in BO medium. Testicles were removed from tunica albuginea. Epididymes were incised and 4-6 *106 sperm cells/ml were transferred into BO medium containing different concentrations of glucose (G1 & G2) with or without citric acid, and incubated in a %5 Co2 incubator in humid air at 38 C for up to 8 hours. Sperm cells were observed under CASA system (computer assisted sperm analyzer) and data for the Class A, Class A+B, Live ratio, Straight Line Velocity (VSL), Curvilinear Velocity (VCL), Average Path Velocity (VAP), Beat Cross Frequency (BCF) were recorded. The results showed that Class A was significantly higher at G1 & citric acid at 6 hours post incubation (p<0.05). Class A+B was significantly higher at G1 & citric acid at 4 & 6 hours post incubation (p<0.05). Live-ratio was significantly higher at G1 & citric acid too. Such effects didn’t observe at G2 & citric acid medium. The results showed that citric acid has an increasing effect on these parameters. This effect can be affected by concentrations of glucose. Our results didn’t show any significant difference in comparing motility patterns at G1 and G2 concentrations of glucose with or without citric acid. This part of the results suggests that citric acid has no any effect on these parameters.