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A Study of Characteristics of Normal and Abnormal Semen of the Sheep

Abstract

1. Data were collected on length of sperm head, coefficient of variability of sperm head lengths, ability to live under conditions in which semen is preserved for artificial insemination, number of spermatozoa per cu. mm., and pH of semen.
   
2. A significant negative correlation exists between temperature of environment and sperm head length.
   
3. Statistically significant differences were found between rams for all of the above characteristics except pH.
   
4. A curvilinear correlation was found between head length and percent motility after storage which was positive below the mean length and probably negative above it. Sperm cells of ram No. 61, significantly above the mean head length, had a lower than normal motility after storage.
   
5. A negative correlation was found between sperm head length and coefficient of variability of head length.
   
6. The pH of sheep semen containing normal numbers of spermatozoa is 6.9 or less.
   
7. The semen of three rams fed a low level of a high quality ration was high in number of spermatozoa per cu. mm. and low in quantity of ejaculate.
   
8. One ram fed a ration believed to be low in vitamin A was low in spermatozoa per cu. mm. and developed other deficiency symptoms.