THE EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE UPON SEMEN PRODUCTION IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL1

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Abstract
Intramusc. inj. of 1:1000 epinephrine at 2 dosage levels, 1.21 cc. and 0.6 cc. per kg. of body wt. was followed by an almost immediate reduction in semen vol. with an approx. 48% decrease at the end of a 30-day inj. period. The total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate decreased 50-70% during the inj. period and the length of time which stored spermatozoa maintained motility was decreased 50%. The seminiferous tubules were atrophied and markedly dissociated at the time of autopsy 7 wks. after the cessation of epinephrine injs. Feed consumption decreased approx. 38% during treatment but increased rapidly following the termination of injs. Body wt. decreased 14-17% during the inj. period but increased rapidly after treatment was discontinued. Final body wts. exceeded the pre-inj. levels.