J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1969. 28:542-549.
© 1969 American Society of Animal Science
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The Male Rabbit. V. Changes in Sperm Reserves and Resorption Rate Induced by Ejaculation and Sexual Rest1

J. T. Lambiase, Jr. and R. P. Amann

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park2

Abstract

Extra-gonadal sperm reserves (EGR) of 12 sexually rested (SR) rabbits were compared to those of nine rabbits ejaculated twice every 48 hr. (2X/48 hr.) and nine sexually rested rabbits ejaculated 10 times (SR-D) just before killing. Neither ejaculation at 2X/48 hr. nor by SR-D reduced the number of sperm in the capita-corpora epididymides; the mean for all 30 bucks was 469x106 sperm. The caudae of SR rabbits contained 1,576x106 sperm or 71% of the EGR. For 2X/48 hr. males the caudae and the last two ejaculates contained only 755x106 sperm and 196x106 sperm, respectively. Sperm reserves were reduced. For SR-D rabbits the ejaculates contained a total of 1,023x106 sperm or 51% of the EGR; 502x106 cells remained in the two caudae. Based on 21 SR and SR-D1 rabbits, the EGR of 1-yr.-old New Zealand White rabbits total about 2,100x106.

Immediately after their EGR were depleted, 40 SR-D rabbits were unilaterally castrated. The contralateral testis and epididymis were removed 24, 48, 96 or 192 hr. later. For each interval, the number of sperm produced by the non-extirpated testis was calculated from its spermatid reserves and compared with the number of sperm which had accumulated in the epididymis. The first day after depletion almost all of the sperm produced accumulated in the epididymis. However, the differences between production and accumulation were significant (P<.01) for the 2-, 4- and 8-day groups. The data indicate that sperm may be resorbed in the excurrent duct system at a rate that increases as the number of sperm in the cauda epididymidis increases.

Footnotes

1 Authorized for publication on April 25, 1968 as Paper No. 3404 in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station. This investigation was supported by Research Grant HD-01356-03 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Mrs. N. G. Borger provided skilled technical assistance.

2 Dairy Breeding Research Center, Department of Dairy Science.






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Copyright © 1969 by the American Society of Animal Science.