Zinc content of fowl seminal plasma and its effects on spermatozoa after storage at 4°c

Abstract
1. The concentration of zinc in seminal plasma at two different ages was measured in two breeds of domestic fowl. In the heavy strain, the motility and fertilising ability of spermatozoa stored for 24 h at 4°C was also studied. 2. The concentration of zinc in the seminal plasma of the breeds studied was between 1 to 3 /zg/ml. Age had no effect on it. 3. Zinc concentrations of 1, 3 or 9 μg/ml in the storage medium had no effect on sperm motility but in young animals reduced the fertilising ability of stored spermatozoa at the two highest concentrations and in older animals at all three concentrations tested.
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