Influence of Seminal Vesiculectomy on Certain Physical and Biochemical Properties of Bovine Semen

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Abstract
A study was designed to investigate some of the changes in bovine semen characteristics following the extirpation of the seminal vesicles of four young bulls. Ejaculates from each bull were pooled on each collection day until a minimum of 5 nil. of semen was obtained. The pooling of ejaculates of each bull was necessitated by the number of tests conducted on each collection day. These characteristics were studied by physical evaluation techniques and biochemical analyses of pooled ejaculates collected before and after seminal vesiculectomy. The physical evaluations included the per cent of motile spermatozoa, the degree of progressive motility, semen pH, volume, concentration, and freezability. Biochemical analyses were conducted on semen fructose, semen citric acid, and five seminal amino acids-namely, glutamie acid, glycine, alanine, serine, and aspartic acid. The removal of the seminal vesicles resulted in a 50% reduction in semen volume. Spermatozoan concentration and pH values were significantly higher in postoperative collections. The per cent of motile spermatozoa and motility ratings was significantly higher in preoperative collections. Seminal vesiculectomy did not affect the per cent recovery of live spermatozoa when frozen pre-and postoperative collections were compared. Extirpation of the seminal vesicles resulted in extremely low levels of semen fructose and citric acid. Fructose was reduced to levels as low as 1.9 rag. % for a single collection, whereas citric acid values were reduced to levels as low as 0.7 mg. % for a single collection following glandular removal. The mean concentration of the five individual seminal amino acids was not altered significantly by the renmval of the seminal vesicles. Concentrations ranged from 1.51 to 6.06 rag. % prior to the operation, and from 2.36 to 6.72 mg. % after the operation. The concentrations in descending order were: glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, serine, and aspartic acid when preoperative collections were analyzed. Postoperative concentrations were in the same order, with the exception of a higher mean concentration of serine than alanine. The secretory contributions of the accessory glands to the ejaculate of the bull have played an important role in semen physiological research. The essentiality of the secretion of the accessory glands is questionable. As early as 1900, Walker (17) demonstrated that mating and fecundity were possible after extirpation of the prostate or the seminal vesicles. Differences found in the biochemical and physical properties of bovine semen can be partially attributed to the function of the accessory glands. Distinct ejaculate variations are noted in the volume of semen produced and the quantity of seminal constituents such as fructose, citric acid, and certain amino acids.

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