Fig. 6.
Effects of anisotonic conditions on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in epididymal rat spermatozoa. (a) The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of DCF per total and viable sperm populations and (b) the percentage of viable spermatozoa were determined under basal and stimulated conditions after exposing spermatozoa to different osmotic (isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic) conditions. (c, d) In addition, fold increases in DCFMFI (c) and decreased viability (d) after exposure of spermatozoa to each of the osmotic conditions. Data are the mean ± s.e.m. (n = 8). *P < 0.05 compared with basal. Different letters within same sperm population and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) treatment indicate significant differences among osmotic conditions (P < 0.05).