The Use of Dimethyl Sulphoxide, Glycerol, and Reconstituted Skim Milk For The Preservation of Ram Spermatozoa I. The tonicity and toxicity of Dimethyl Sulphoxide and Reconstituted Skim Milk At 30 and 5°C

Abstract

The viability of ram spermatozoa in milk and buffered saline diluents containing dimethyl sulphoxide and in milk diluents alone was investigated during incubation studies at 30 and 5°C. Dimethyl sulphoxide did not contribute to the tonicity of a diluent. Dimethyl sulphoxide (5% v/v) or glycerol in a diluent depressed spermatozoal activity during incubation at 30 or 5°C. Dimethyl sulphoxide retarded motility more than glycerol, especially with incubation at 5°C, whilst glycerol rendered a greater proportion of cells immotile than did dimethyl sulphoxide, this effect being significant only after incubation at 30°C.