The Oxidative Utilization of Fructose and Acetate by Washed Ram Spermatozoa in the Presence or Absence of Potassium and Magnesium

Abstract

The oxidative utilization of fructose and acetate by washed ram spermatozoa has been studied during incubation in diluents containing varying levels of potassium and magnesium. Both ions stimulated metabolism, but the effects of a combination of the ions were less than would be expected from the sums of their separate effects. The effects of potassium were greater when acetate rather than fructose was the substrate.