Platelet activating factor-A new phospholipid for improving in vitro fertilizing ability of cattle spermatozoa

Abstract

Crossbred cattle (12; Karan Fries) bulls were selected on the basis of their conception rate. Frozen semen was procured, thawed and treated with 200 uM platelet activqting factor (PAF) for 15 min at 38°C and 5% CO2, level. Comparison was made with controls (ie. not treated with PAF.). The controls and treated samples were evaluated for motility, acrosome reaction (AR) and zona free hamster oocyte penetration test to assay fertilizational parameters, viz. sperm attached per ovum (SA/O), ova attached (OA), fertilization per cent (FP), fertilization index (FI) and polyspermic ova (PO). The paired t-test revealed that PAF had a significant (at different levels) effect on all the parameters. All the parameters except motility showed an increasing trend post-PAF treatment.