Semen Characteristics and Chemistry from Bulls Before and After Seminal Vesiculectomy and After Vasectomy

Abstract

Four normal Holstein bulls were surgically seminal vesiculectomized and vasectomized to determine the contribution of various parts of the genital tract to physical characteristics and chemistry of semen. Semen volume decreased after vesiculectomy and also after vesiculectomy and vasectomy. Total spermatozoa output and per cent motile sperm decreased after vesiculectomy. Hydrogen ion concentration increased after vesiculectomy and again after vasectomy. Protein, calcium, chloride, potassium, sodium, reducing substances contents, and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased after vesiculectomy while inorganic phosphate content and acid phosphatase activity decreased after each operation. Of these nine constituents, 61.5% were contributed from the seminal vesicles, 22.2% from the testes and epididymis, and 16.3% from the ampulla, prostate and bulbo-urethral glands. There was no significant change in free amino acids in semen after vesiculectomy, but there was a significant decrease in 16 amino acids studied after vasectomy. Total free amino acids were contributed 79.9% from the testes and epididymis, 14.5% from the seminal vesicles and 5.6% from the ampulla, prostate and bulbo-urethral glands. © 1971, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.