THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRINCIPAL INORGANIC IONS IN SEMEN FROM THE VAS DEFERENS OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL AND THE CONTENT OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE SEMINAL PLASMA

Abstract

The distribution of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium between the spermatozoa and plasma in the semen of the vas deferens of the domestic fowl has been determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Chloride in the seminal components was analysed by an electrometric titration method and carbon dioxide in the seminal plasma was analysed using gas chromatography. The contents of potassium and magnesium were much higher, and those of sodium, calcium and chloride lower in the spermatozoa than in the seminal plasma. The amount of sodium in the plasma of the vas deferens was about the same as that in blood plasma, but the amounts of potassium and magnesium were greater in the seminal plasma. The amount of chloride was small in the seminal plasma and its significance in relation to the ionic balance in the fluid is discussed. © 1969 The Physiological Society