[In vitro influence of sodium fluoride on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in ram semen]

The motility of spermatozoa results from formation of chemical energy and its transformation into mechanical energy. The quality of spermatozoa is determined primarily by their ability to move. Spermatozoa viability depends on two factors: generation of an adequate supply of ATP and effective use of ATP stores. Biochemical methods are useful for an objective assessment of semen quality. Among them is the measurement of ATP content. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of sodium fluoride at concentrations of 20, 100, 200, and 105 micromol/L on ATP content in ram semen.

Altogether, 19 ejaculates into an artificial vagina were collected from rams kept at the University of Agriculture and at the Glinna farm. Parameters of the semen were within limits acceptable for this animal species. The content of ATP was measured with a bioluminometric method and Lumat LB 9807 Berthohold luminometer.

The semen was diluted in 0.9% NaCl and was found to contain 12.4 micromol ATP 10-(-9) spermatozoa. ATP content was reduced with rising concentrations of NaF: by 74.6% at 20 tmol/L; by 75.5% at 100 micromol/L; by 90.8% at 200 imol/L; and by 99.9% at 10(5) micromol/L. The correlation between ATP content and sperm motility was significant (r = 0.4990). There was no correlation between ATP content and sperm density.