Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 50, Issue 3 531-537, Copyright © 1981 by American Physiological Society
Effects of hyperbaric oxygenation on spermatozoan motility driven by mitochondrial respiration
D. Bar-Sagie, A. Mayevsky and B. Bartoov
The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HPO) on ram sperm motility driven by
mitochondrial respiration are described. Sperm motility was assessed by a
multichannel optical objective technique (Reflectospermiography). Motility
was simultaneously measured from four semen sample at various pH levels in
room air atmosphere and compared with four other samples exposed to various
high oxygen (100%) levels 1, 3, 5, and 7 atmospheres absolute (ATA). Two
main effects were observed under HPO oxygen: 1) shortening of motility
durations, and 2) abolishment of motility regulation by pH. These effects
were found to be attributed to the hyperoxic conditions. Above 3 ATA the
effects of HPO with regard to the above-described parameters were
considered toxic. Below this pressure level the effect of HPO was found to
be moderate. The exposure of sperm cells to HPO (7 ATA) did not cause
morphological alterations. Also, exposure of seminal plasma to HPO (7 ATA)
for 150 min did not cause any toxic effects when added to washed
spermatozoa. The ram semen preparation seems to provide a useful model for
studying the mechanisms underlying HPO effects.
