Characteristics of semen collected from the cauda epididymidis of conscious rams

Abstract

A technique which permits collection of the total output of spermatozoa and fluid from the cauda epididymidis of conscious rams is described. The volume of epididymal semen collected varied in an approximately inverse proportions with the frequency of collection, but there was little variation in the concentration of spermatozoa. Chemical analyses showed that cell-free cauda epididymidis fluid contained lactic acid at various concentrations, only traces of glucose but relatively high amounts of phospholipid, pregenenolone, androgen-binding protein and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT). Testicular spermatozoa maintained their metabolic activity and cellular integrity when stored in cauda epididymidis fluid in vitro at low temperature. After exposure to cauda epididymidis fluid for 14 days, testicular spermatozoa were predominantly glycolytic in their mode of glucose dissimilation and in this respect they resembled ejaculated spermatozoa.