Effects of carnitine on oxygen uptake and utilization of (U-14C)palmitate by ejaculated bull spermatozoa

Fatty acid oxidation by washed intact ejaculated bull spermatozoa was depressed by carnitine concentrations as low as 5 mM, whereas oxygen uptake was only depressed by concentrations of 20 mM or above. Incorporation of (U-14C)-palmitate into 1,2-diglycerides was stimulated, and there was some stimulation of incorporation into phospholipids.