IN-VITRO CAPACITATION OF BOVINE SPERMATOZOA BY MEASURING PENETRATING POTENTIAL

Penetrating potential of bovine spermatozoa, capacitated in vitro, was studied in terms of sperm penetration distance (SPD) to determine the suitable combination of caffeine concentration and incubation period for optimum capacitation. The capacitation was induced in sperm TALP (Tyrode'S albumin, lactate and pyruvate) medium containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM caffeine at 39 °C for 0, 30, 60 and 90 min. The capacitated spermatozoa were subjected to penetration in 2% polyacrylamide gel and SPD was measured. The maximum SPD of 19.35±0.50 mm /hr was recorded at 20mM caffeine with 90 min incubation period indicating this period and concentration combination as the most effective enhancer of in vitro capacitation of bovine spermatozoa.