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The Influence of Testes Biopsy on Semen Quality¹

Department of Dairy Husbandry, Oregon State College, Corvallis

ABSTRACT

Vitamin A and carotene are known to influence the reproductive performance of bulls. The effects of various levels of vitamin A or carotene, or both, on the development of the reproductive system, particularly during the first year of the animal's life, have not been thoroughly explored.

When working with dairy bulls, the excessive cost of maintenance necessitates limiting the numbers of experimental animals, and this in turn demands gathering as much information on each individual as time and techniques allow. It is agreed that the standard methods of evaluating semen quality are not entirely adequate. Since vitamin A affects semen quality, and in particular the rate of spermatogenesis, information on the histological makeup of the testes and a correlation of this with semen characteristics would be of value. Prior to the development of the biopsy technique, no information on the development of the testicle was available unless an autopsy was performed or one or both testicles were completely removed. Such technique is obviously very limiting.

¹ Approved for publication as Technical Paper No. 765, by the Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. Contribution of the Department of Dairy Husbandry.