Survival of Embryos Resulting from Spermatozoa Produced by Mice Exposed to Elevated Ambient Temperature

Abstract

The effect of elevated ambient temperature (32 C) for 24 hr. on male mice was evaluated by rates of fertilization, implantation and normal fetal survival resulting from matings for 30 days subsequent to heat-stress. Fertilization rate dropped rapidly, reaching its lowest point 18 days after stress; however, rate of embryonic survival decreased at a more rapid rate. Once recovery from stress began, there appeared to be no difference in embryonic survival rate between females mated to heat-stressed males and those mated to males from the control group.