Distribution of Bulk and Trace Minerals in Bull Reproductive Tract Fluids and Semen

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Abstract
The average values in milligrams per cent for semen and seminal plasma in the pooled samples of several consecutive ejaculates from individual bulls were, respectively: boron, 1.74, 1.73; phosphorus, 70, 40; magnesium, 9.8, 9.8; calcium, 22, 25; sodium, 227, 242; potassium, 173, 172, and chloride, 287, 330. The average of 10 values in milligrams for semen and seminal plasma, respectively, of first ejaculates were: boron, 1.02, 1.48; phosphorus, 105, 55; magnesium, 12.1, 11.6; iron, .61, .35; calcium, 47, 51, and sodium, 263, 273. Fe is mainly a constituent of spermatozoa throughout the bull reproductive tract and in whole semen. P is found in concentrations of less than 10 mg % in seminal vesicle fluids and in 35 to 45 mg % higher concentration in seminal plasma. Zn and Mn were found in concentrations of less than 0.2 and 0.04 mg % respectively, in all samples analyzed.