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Fluoride 2002; Vol. 35(3): 153-160

In Vitro Influence of Sodium Fluoride On Ram Semen Quality and Enzyme Activities

H Zakrzewska (a), J Udala (b), B Blaszczyk (b)

(a) Dept. of Biochemistry, Agricultural University, Szczecin, Poland.
(b) Dept. of Reproduction, Agricultural University, Szczecin, Poland

SUMMARY: The percentage of spermatozoa in ram semen with intact acrosomes and the level of spermatozoa motility decreased significantly after dilution and after 5 hr incubation at 38ºC. Both indices decreased significantly in the presence of NaF at concentrations ranging from 20 µmol/L to 0.1 mol/L. The activities of androgen-dependent enzymes—acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (y-GT-10S)—decreased significantly when the ejaculate was treated with NaF at concentrations of 20, 100, 200 µmol/L (0.38; 1.9; 3.8 ppm F-), but they returned to the initial value of the control at 0.1 mol/L (1900 ppm F-). The activity of aspartate transaminase (AspAT) displayed a large increase with the increasing lower F-concentrations and then showed a substantial decrease in activity at the high F- concentration. These changes undoubtedly affect the physiological functions of the sperm.

Keywords: Acrosomes, Androgen-dependent enzymes, In vitro fluoride, Ram semen, Spermatozoa, Sperm motility.

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