Studies have been carried out to investigate factors related to the induction of warm shock in boar spermatozoa. Rapid dilution per se caused visible damage to acrosomes when the sample contained 7.5% or more glycerol. This dilution effect was greater at lower temperatures. Acrosomal damage was greatly reduced by raising the dilution temperature from 15 to 25 degrees C, suggesting that a change in the physico-chemical characteristics of the acrosomal membrane occurred between these temperatures. During rapid dilution with warming, the dilution rate, the magnitude of the temperature change and the terminal temperature had a significant influence on acrosomal integrity; a terminal temperature of 35 degrees C was much more detrimental than one of 25 degrees C. The first sign of acrosomal damage was observed 15 sec after rapid dilution + warming and the damage was nearly maximal by 60 sec. An antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), was effective against both rapid cooling and warming, while glycerol, dimethylsulphoxide and propylene glycol were ineffective in preventing warm shock.
Acrosome Animals