The phospholipid profile of cock spermatozoa before and after in vitro incubation for twenty-four hours at 41 C

Abstract

The importance of endogenous phospholipids as an energy source for cock spermatozoa was investigated by comparing the phospholipid profile of control (recently ejaculated) spermatozoa to that of spermatozoa incubated in vitro for 24 hr at 41 C (a temperature comparable to that of the hen's oviduct). No significant differences were observed between control and incubated spermatozoa in total lipids, total phospholipids, or total neutral lipids. There were likewise no detectable differences between control and incubated spermatozoa in their diphosphatidyl glycerol (cardiolipin), phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, or phosphatidyl choline content. A small but significant (P less than .02) decrease for sphingomyelin was detected in incubated as compared to control spermatozoa.