VGO 511: Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques (1+1)

METHYLENE BLUE DYE REDUCTION TEST

Principle

Methylene blue is a heterocyclic aromatic chemical compound which when dissolved in water yield blue colour solution.

• Methylene blue dye reduction test (MBRT) is a very simple test used to measure the metaboloic activity of the spermatozoa.
• This test is based on the principle that the hydrogen ions are liberated during sperm metabolism which will reduce the blue coloured methylene blue into colorless leucomethylene blue.
• The hydrogen ions are released due to the dehydrogenase enzyme present in active sperm.
• The time taken to change the colour is directly related with the motility and concentration of the spermatozoa.

More the motility, concentration will leads to more the hydrogen ion release which will cause less time taken by the methylene blue to colourless leucomethylene blue.