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Concentrating Ejaculated Sperm for Electron Microscopy

Abstract

IN previous work on the ultrastructure of bull sperm1 semen samples cooled on ice during transportation to the laboratory were used. These samples were centrifuged immediately after arrival, but 24–48 h usually had elapsed from time of ejaculation to tune of fixation of the specimens. Since various details of several of the membrane systems of the sperm were generally rather poorly preserved, subsequent centrifugations and fixations were carried out at the centre where the bulls were kept. Thus, fixation could be initiated within approximately 30 min after ejaculation. On such material, some new observations were made2, but for optimal preservation of many delicate structures a more gentle preparative technique was obviously called for. The two factors considered to be mainly responsible for the less satisfactory results were: (1) The rather long time that had elapsed from the moment of ejaculation to the time of fixation; (2) The centrifugation for 15–20 min at 2,500–3,000 r.p.m. necessary for concentrating the sperm to a suitable number for further processing. A method which removes these two obstacles will be described.

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References

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BIRCH-ANDERSEN, A., BLOM, E. Concentrating Ejaculated Sperm for Electron Microscopy. Nature 199, 201–203 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/199201a0

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