Abstract
Experiments were made to clarify the change in tension of oxygen dissolved in Cafree Krebs Ringer phosphate solution (KRP) and bull sperm suspension under various anaerobic conditions. 1) Tension of oxygen dissolved in KRP under anaerobic conditions varied markedly with kinds of vessels and methods of gassing. The lowest oxygen tension was observed when the medium was gassed by alternative evacuation under vacuum and shaking using vessels which have wide surface area such as Warburg flask. 2) Values for tension of oxygen dissolved in KRP and sperm suspension under anaerobic conditions after gassing and shaking were 30-40mmHg and 10-20mmHg, respectively. Gassing media for 10 minutes was enough to obtain gas equilibration. 3) Tension of oxygen dissolved in sperm suspension in the air-tight vessel varied with oxygen consumption by spermatozoa, and oxygen dissolved in suspension was completely exhausted by spermatozoa within 10 minutes after incubation when 2-3×108 spermatozoa/ml were incubated in a vessel. 4) Absolute anaerobic condition of sperm suspension was derived from exhaustion of oxygen by sperm respiration incubated in the vessel.
