Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T06:00:36.340Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Anderson, J. (1945). The semen of animals and its use for artificial insemination. Edinburgh: Imperial Bureau of Animal Breeding and Genetics.Google Scholar
Benesch, R. E., Lardy, H. A. & Benesch, R. (1955). J. Biol. Chem. 216, 663.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Day, F. T. (1940). Vet. Rec. 52, 597.Google Scholar
Glover, T. & Mann, T. (1954). J. Agric. Sci. 44, 355.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldzieher, J. W. (1956). Proceedings of the Society for the Study of Fertility, vol. 8. Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Haag, F. M. & Werthessen, N. T. (1956). Fertility and Sterility, 7, 516.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heath, H., Remington, C., Glover, T., Mann, T. & Leone, E. (1953). Biochem. J. 54, 606.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heath, H., Rimington, C. & Mann, T. (1956). Biochem. J. 65, 369.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hunter, G. (1951). Biochem. J. 48, 265.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hutschenreiter, K. (1915). Wien. tierärztl. Mschr. 2, 449.Google Scholar
Mann, T. & Leone, E. (1953). Biochem. J. 53, 140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mann, T., Leone, E. & Polge, C. (1956). J. Endocrin. 13, 279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mann, T., Polge, C. & Rowson, L. E. A. (1956). J. Endocrin. 13, 133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marden, W. & Werthessen, N. T. (1956). Fertility and Sterility, 7, 508.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Speck, J. F., Moulder, J. W. & Evans, E. A. Jun. (1946). J. Biol. Chem. 164, 119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walton, A. (1936). Notes on Artificial Insemination of Sheep, Cattle and Horses. London: Holborn Surgical Instrument Co. Ltd.Google Scholar
Werthessen, N. T. (1956). Rec. Progr. Hormone Res. 12, 370.Google Scholar
Werthessen, N. T. & Marden, W. (1956). Report of the Southwest Foundation for Besearch and Education, San Antonio, Texas; cf. Schweder, W., Blood Horse (Lexington, Kentucky), 72, 57.Google Scholar