On the leakage of acrosomal hyaluronidase from the spermatozoa of the buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The sonication method produced a quantitatively higher release of buffalo sperm hyaluronidase than the freeze-thaw technique. The released enzyme constituted 10 p. 100 of the total enzymatic activity of the fresh semen. Seminal plasma hyaluronidase activity was not correlated with the motility score of the semen sample. Unlike cattle semen, the seminal plasma enzyme level in buffalo semen stored at 37 degrees C showed a sharp rise, whereas samples stored at 0 degrees C evidenced negligible enzyme leakage. Dilution of semen in citric acid whey (CAW) at 5 or 37 degrees C significantly prevented the enzyme from leaking into the plasma, although more enzyme was released in extended semen when it was exposed to cold treatments. The enzyme was quite stable in both the seminal plasma and the acrosomal preparations during storage when stored at 5 degrees C for prolonged periods.