UNIVERSAL MEDIUM AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING THE USEFUL LIFE OF SEMEN IN VITRO

• US 3,816,249 A
• Filed: 02/28/1973
• Issued: 06/11/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bhattacharya Bhairab C and Bhattacharya Manju
• Original Assignee: Bhairab C. Bhattacharya
• Inventors: Bhattacharya, Bhairab C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosen, Sam
• Application Number:
  US05/336,454
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 195/1.8 424/105
• US Class Current: 435/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/52 Sperm; Prostate; Seminal fluid; Leydig cells of testes

Abstract

A universal medium for extending the useful life of semen, in vitro, is provided comprising, in effective amounts, egg yolk, Alpha -aminopropionic acid, and glycine. If the semen is to be stored for long periods of time at reduced temperature it is preferred that glycerol and an ionizable salt, such as sodium chloride, be utilized in the medium. The medium has general utility for extending the life of semen from all types of mammals and birds and is especially valuable for extending the useful life of sensitive types of semen, such as turkey semen. Such sensitive types of semen can now be kept viable until they can be frozen. The invention provides for storage by freezing of types of semen which have not before been successfully frozen.

Claims

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the semen is collected from a plurality of male birds directly into said aqueous medium in a container and the mixture of semen and medium after storage in said container is used to inseminate a plurality of female birds.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein from about 4 to 12 percent by weight of glycerol is included in the medium.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the semen is collected from a plurality of turkey toms and is used to inseminate a flock of turkey hens.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous medium additionally contains a minor but effective amount of neomycin to control bacterial infections.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein from about 4 to 12 percent by weight of glycerol is included in the medium and the container of semen and medium is stored at a temperature of about 4* to 10*C for a time period of up to 48 hours prior to insemination of the female birds.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the mixture of semen and medium after reaching equilibrium at 4* to 10*C is frozen in the container and is stored in frozen form until use.

8. A mediUm for extending the useful life of semen, in vitro, comprising a mixture of glycine, Alpha -aminopropionic acid and egg yolk in amounts effective in aqueous solution to extend the life of said semen.

9. The medium of claim 8 containing an ionizable chloride salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride in an amount effective to facilitate the storage of said semen.

10. The medium of claim 9 wherein the ingredients are in the form of a dry powdered solid admixture.

11. The medium of claim 9 wherein the ingredients are in aqueous solution at a pH in the range of about 6.0 to 8.0.

12. The medium of claim 11 wherein glycerol is present in an amount effective to facilitate storage of the solution at low temperatures.

13. The medium of claim 11 in admixture with semen containing live spermatozoa.

14. A universal medium for extending the useful life of semen, in vitro, comprising an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of from about 6.0 to 8.0, said solution containing, by weight, from about 0.01 percent to about 1.0 percent glycine, from about 0.01 percent to about 1.0 percent Alpha -aminopropionic acid, from about 0.1 percent to 2.0 percent of sodium chloride, potassium chloride or calcium chloride, from about 4 percent to about 12 percent of glycerol, from about 30 to about 55 percent egg yolk, and from about 30 percent to about 70 percent water.

15. A universal medium for extending the useful life of semen, in vitro, comprising a clear solution having a pH in the range of from about 6.0 to 8.0 and containing from about 0.01 to 1.0 percent glycine, from about 0.01 to 1.0 percent Alpha -aminopropionic acid, from about 0.1 to 2.0 percent sodium chloride, from about 30 to 70 percent water, and from about 30 to 55 percent of the components of egg yolk which are soluble in the mixture.

16. The medium of claim 15 admixed with semen containing live spermatozoa.

17. The composition of claim 16 in encapsulated form.

18. The medium of claim 15 wherein the pH of the solution is about 6.2 and the osmolality is from about 296-315 mos/kg.

19. The medium of claim 15 wherein from about 4 to 12 percent of glycerol is included.

20. A method for preparing a composition for extending the useful life of semen comprising mixing egg yolk, glycine, Alpha -aminopropionic acid, sodium chlrode and water to provide a solution having a pH in the range of about 6.0 to 8.0 and containing, by weight, from about 30 to 55 percent egg yolk, from about 0.01 to 1.0 percent glycine, from about 0.01 to 1.0 percent Alpha -aminopropionic acid, from about 0.01 to 2.0 percent of sodium chloride and from about 30 to 70 percent water, permitting the mixture to stand to form a precipitate, and separating the precipitate to provide a substantially clear product mixture.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the clear solution is dried and a solid product is obtained.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein about 4 to 12 percent of glycerol is added to the mixture.