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Rapid Methods for Estimating the Number of Spermatozoa in Bull Semen

Animal Husbandry Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

ABSTRACT

The concentration of spermatozoa in bull semen is exceedingly variable, both from ejaculate to ejaculate of the same bull and from bull to bull. Reliable estimates of the number of spermatozoa present in semen are of value in arriving at an indication of its quality, and, often are useful for research purposes, or for determining the rate at which semen should be diluted for routine artificial insemination. For maximum usefulness the estimate should not only be accurate, but should require a minimum of time.

The usual method of estimating the concentration of spermatozoa employs the standard equipment used in the counting of red blood cells. This method is time-consuming and requires considerable patience and skill.

Recently, Comstock and Green (3) have shown that the number of spermatozoa in ram semen can be accurately estimated by diluting the samples at a standard rate and measuring the relative light transmission in a photelemeter. Burbank (2) for the guinea pig, Comstock and Green (3) for the ram, and Par~utin and Rumjaneeva (5) for the stallion, have used rapid methods for estimating the concentration of spermatozoa in which diluted semen samples are visually compared with opacity standards.

^* Now Animal Husbandman, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.