Abstract
Capacitated mouse spermatozoa were stored for 24 to 72 h under the following conditions: 4C in air, 24C in air, 24C in 5% CO2 in air, or 37C in 5% CO2 in air. None or few of the oocytes inseminated with the capacitated spermatozoa stored for 24 h at 37C in 5% CO2 in air or 4C in air were fertilized. Fertilization rates of oocytes inseminated with capacitated spermatozoa stored for 24 h at 24C in 5% CO22 in air and 24C in air were 46% and 37%, respectively. When capacitated spermatozoa were stored at high concentrations, over 2×104 cells/μl, 87% of the oocytes were fertilized. Seventy-one percent of the fertilized eggs developed to term after transfer into the oviduct of recipients. These results indicate that capacitated mouse spermatozoa stored for 24 h at 24C can fertilize ova that subsequently develop normally through pre-and post-implantation stages.
