HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lindahl, P. E. Articles by KihlstrÖm, J. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lindahl, P. E. Articles by KihlstrÖm, J. E.

Alterations in Specific Gravity during the Ripening of Bull Spermatozoa

Institute of Zoophysiology, University of Uppsala, Sweden

ABSTRACT

Determinations of the specific density of spermatozoa in ejaculates collected from normal dairy bulls in regular service were performed by centrifugation in umbradil-methylglucamine-salt solutions of different specific gravities. A negative correlation between the mean specific gravity of the spermatozoa and the frequencies of unripe spermatozoa (having a residual protoplasmic drop) was found, indicating a lower specific gravity in these than in ripe and over-ripe (non-motile) ones. The distribution of the three kinds of spermatozoa between the sedimenting and floating fractions of cells supports this conclusion, and suggests a higher specific density of over-ripe than of ripe spermatozoa. The process of ripening thus implies a continuous rise in density.