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The ‘tail-end sample’ of stallion semen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

T. Mann
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Unit of Reproductive Physiology and Biochemistry, Molteno Institute, and Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Cambridge
R. V. Short
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Unit of Reproductive Physiology and Biochemistry, Molteno Institute, and Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Cambridge
A. Walton
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Unit of Reproductive Physiology and Biochemistry, Molteno Institute, and Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Cambridge
R. K. Archer
Affiliation:
Animal Health Trust, Equine Research Station, Newmarket
W. C. Miller
Affiliation:
Animal Health Trust, Equine Research Station, Newmarket

Extract

1. Measurements of volume, sperm density, ergothioneine, sulphydryl groups and citric acid were made in 100 ‘tail-end samples’ (post-coital penis drips) from thirteen thoroughbred stallions. In addition, a few analyses were made of postcoital vaginal samples.

2. The ‘tail-end samples’ were found to differ substantially in their composition from that of the whole ejaculates. They lacked the characteristic gelatinous appearance of normal stallion semen, and had a much lower content of spermatozoa, ergothioneine (sulphydryl groups) and citric acid than an average stallion ejaculate.

3. As the variations in volume and composition of the ‘tail-end samples’ collected from different stallions or from the same stallion on different occasions were considerable, it is unlikely that prognostication of fertility could be usefully based on results obtained by analysis of such samples.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1957

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References

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