STORAGE OF HONEYBEE SPERMATOZOA AT -196-DEGREES-C

A method for storing honeybee spermatozoa in liquid nitrogen is described. A hydraulic syringe attached to a meter accurately measures collection, dilution, and delivery of semen, and a thermocouple inserted into the semen records the rates of freezing and thawing. From collection to insemination the storage process lost only 7% of the semen mixture. A mixture of 60% semen, 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 30% saline was the most successful for storage. Glycerol gave some protection as a cryoprotectant, but was inferior to DMSO. After semen was stored with 10% DMSO and 30% water, more spermatozoa moved to the sperma-theca than after storage with 10%, DMSO and 10% or 20% water. © 1979 International Bee Research Association.