Response of Gramapriya hybrid cock spermatozoa to hypo-osmotic swelling test and its correlation with seminal attributes

A total of 114 semen ejaculates were obtained twice a week from 38 weeks old Gramapriya hybrid cocks were studied for Hypo- osmotic swelling test (HOST) to assess membrane integrity and other physical characteristics during the period of 4 months from November, 2008 to February, 2009. The mean value of physical attributes; ejaculate volume (ml), colour/appearance score, pH, mass motility (%), individual motility (%), sperm concentration (X 10⁹/ml), total spermatozoa count (X 10⁹/ejaculate), live spermatozoa count (%) and abnormal sperm count (%) averaged to 0.39±0.02, 3.98±0.03, 7.42±0.01, 3.95±0.03, 84.01±0.04, 2.49±0.03, 0.98±0.04, 91.01±0.29 and 6.58±0.22, respectively followed by mean value of HOST reactive spermatozoa was 92.98±0.26 percent. A significant negative correlation of HOST reactive spermatozoa was observed with abnormal spermatozoa and ejaculate volume whereas; it correlated positively with sperm concentration and initial motility. The study elicited application of HOST to evaluate the Gramapriya hybrid cock semen by characteristic features of twisting and swelling of head of the spermatozoa along with the normal coiling of tail in

HOST test.