Studies on oxygen uptake of cryopreserved Ram spermatozoa*

Pooled semen ejaculates were obtained from 10 adult Rambouillet rams maintained under standard management condition at CSWRI, Avikanagar. After initial evaluation of semen quality these samples were extended in Eggyolk raffinose citrate glutamic acid glycerol, Eggyolk lactose raffinose citrate glycerol and Eggyolk tris glucose diluents @ of 1000x10⁶ spermatozoa/ml. The extended semen samples were subjected to equilibration at 5°C for 2 and 4 h were frozen as pellets of 0.2 ml and stored in liquid nitrogen for a fortnight. The oxygen uptakes of spermatozoa were determined in a warburg apparatus at post equilibration and post-thaw stages. The analysis of variance of the data revealed that neither diluents nor equilibration time within diluents had any effect on oxygen uptake. Analysis of variance indicated that thaw temperature had a significant effect on oxygen uptake and thawing at 37°C resulted into lower oxygen uptake as compared to thawing at 50 and 60°C.