Effect on fertility of storing fowl semen for 24 h at 5 degrees C in fluids of different pH.

Abstract

Improved storage of fowl semen above 0 degree C was achieved by adjusting the pH of the diluent. The fertility obtained with semen stored for 24 h at 5 degrees C in diluents buffered at different pH values was compared with that of semen stored in a basic, unbuffered solution. The most satisfactory result was achieved with diluent buffered at pH 6.8 OR 7.1. Worst fertility was obtained at pH 5.8 and pH 7.4 did not prove very satisfactory. There were indications that the effect of pH under the conditions of the experiment was to regulate metabolism and thereby influence the maintenance of the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa.