Semen collection from mice: electroejaculation

Abstract

The effects of device type (electrostimulator, function generator or computer-generated waveforms), waveform (square, triangle or sine wave), probe type (ring or strip) and anaesthetic compound (ketamine/xylazine combination or pentobarbitone sodium) were investigated on electroejaculation (EEJ) responses of C57Bl × CBA and C57Bl/6J mice. Ejaculates were analysed for total sperm count and motility variables using computer-assisted sperm analyses. Automated computer-generated waveforms delivered through a sound card were more effective and reproducible compared with waveforms generated by function generator and electrostimulator. Sine waves and triangle waves were found to be more effective in producing ejaculate than square waves. As an anaesthetic, pentobarbitone sodium tended to outperform ketamine/xylazine across waveforms and strains. Strip probes failed to produce any ejaculate regardless of the device or waveform employed. Sperm obtained by EEJ exhibited poor motility and C5Bl/6J mice had lower motility variables than C57Bl × CBA mice.