Prolonged survival of fowl spermatozoa stored in a diffusion chamber in vitro

1. A diffusion chamber technique was used in an attempt to prolong the life-span of fowl spermatozoa at 41 degrees C in vitro. 2. The most suitable conditions in the diffusion chamber system for this purpose were found to be pH 7.2, with the addition of foetal calf serum (400 mg/ml), a sperm concentration of 10 X 10(9)/ml and a gas mixture of 5% CO2 + 5% O2 + 90% N2. 3. The spermatozoa stored in the diffusion chamber under these conditions were highly fertile for at least 2 d, whereas those stored in a test tube had a low fertilizing ability.