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The Effect of Testis Biopsy on Semen Characteristics of Bulls¹

Bureau of Dairy Industry, Agricultural Research Administration, United States Department of Agriculture

ABSTRACT

1. Biopsy of the testis of mature bulls resulted in a marked decrease in sperm concentration in the semen.
   
2. Biopsy of a single testis had variable effects on motility or percentage of abnormal sperm, but a succeeding biopsy on the second testis decreased motility and increased the percentage of abnormal sperm, and in one bull resulted in almost complete absence of spermatogenesis.
   
3. Marked morphological changes were observed in the tubules of the testis and in the amount of intertubular connective tissue. In one instance, marked atrophy of the testis occurred as a result of biopsy.
   
4. These data would indicate that considerable care must be used in interpreting data in experimental studies on semen production and semen characteristics where biopsies are performed in conjunction with other nutritional or physiological technics.
   

¹ This work was supported in part by an appropriation from Bankhead-Jones special research funds.