Spectroscopic and microscopic studies of buffalo-bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa.

We have examined the epididymal (caput, corpus and cauda) and ejaculated spermatozoa of bufallo-bull (Bubalus bubalis) employing microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated lectins namely concanavalin A (Con A), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Maclura pomifera (MPA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were used to study the changes in the sperm surface carbohydrate make up as the spermatozoa mature. Quantitative analysis of the lectin binding was made flow cytometrically. 31P-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra of the sperms obtained from different regions (head, body and tail) of the epididymis and of the ejaculate were analyzed to assess their metabolic activity. And the kinetics of spin label reduction of these samples was monitored with ESR (electron spin resonance) spectroscopy. These observations are supplemented with the electron microscopic (SEM and TEM) examination of the epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa.