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

PROPERTIES OF A GOOD DILUENT

A satisfactory diluent must have

• Similar osmotic pressure - isotonic to blood, semen and milk (around 275-300 mOsm) and should be capable of maintaining the entire storage period.
• Proper balance of mineral elements which are essential to the life of sperm cells.
• All sperm cell nutrients for both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic processes.
• Lipoproteins and/or lecithin to protect sperm cell against cold shock.
• Chemical means for buffering toxic end products of sperm cell metabolism.
• Antibiotics to inhibit bacterial multiplication.
• Source material to protect from sulphydryl containing enzymes.
• Materials to protect from freezing injuries.
• These are some of the properties of good diluent.