Packed Sperm Volume Versus Optical Density as a Measure of Semen Concentration

Abstract

In studying the relationship of vitamin E to reproduction in White Leghorn male chickens, Arscott et al. (1965) and Arscott and Parker (1967) have reported data on fertility and semen concentration with the latter measurement given as optical density utilizing the procedure of Kosin and Wheeler (1956). Since this technique is still tedious and time consuming when relatively large numbers of males are used, an experiment was conducted to determine if percent packed sperm volume would provide data comparable to the density values previously cited in reporting semen concentration. The experimental details as well as the care and management of the males are reported elsewhere, Kuhns and Arscott (1969). Semen not used for insemination was stored overnight in a refrigerator at 5°C. Percent packed sperm readings were obtained from a micro hematocrit reader (Phillips-Drucker, model L-550, Astoria, Oregon) using 75 mm. capillary tubes with an outside diameter of 1.4–1.6…