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Initial Levels of Fructose and Citric Acid in Bull Semen as Related to Fertility ^1,2,

Department of Dairy Science, State College of Washington, Pullman

ABSTRACT

Bovine semen is characterized by high levels of fructose and citric acid originating from the accessory glands (4, 8). Citric acid as a constituent of semen was established through the work of Schersten, cited by Mann (7). The appearance of these constituents in the semen of the young animal has been associated with approaching sexual maturity (9). Between samples of different bulls there is considerable variation in levels and also in relative levels of the two constituents (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9). With successive collections over a short period of time the values for fructose and citric acid remain more constant than do numbers of sperm (6).

Fructose in semen is a principal source of energy for sperm (8, 10). Van Tienhoven et al. (14) found glucose preferentially utilized as compared to fructose when extraneous glucose was added. The role of citric acid is less clearly defined. Enzymes of the citric acid cycle have been shown by Lardy and Phillips (5) to be present in semen.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 1210, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Pullman. Project No. 1052.

² This investigation was supported in part by funds provided for biological and medical research by the State of Washington Initiative Measure No. 171.