Influence of Seminal Vesiculectomy on Certain Physical and Biochemical Properties of Bovine Semen

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The influence of bull seminal vesiculectomy was studied by the evaluation and analysis of semen pH, per cent motile spermatozoa, spermatozoan concentration, spermatozoan motility rate, semen volume, semen freezability, semen fructose, semen citric acid and 5 individual seminal amino acids, before and after extirpation of the gland. Physical evaluation of the pre- and postoperative semen collections of 4 young bulls, on a five-day ejaculation frequency, resulted in a 50% reduction in semen volume, significant increases in semen pH and a significant increase in spermatozoan concentration of semen samples after extirpation of the seminal vesicles. Pre- and postoperative collections were not significantly different in motility evaluation after freezing. Per cent motile spermatozoan evaluations were significantly higher before the operation at the seven-day evaluation, but not at the one-day evaluation. Biochemical assays of pre- and postoperative semen collections revealed drastic reductions in the semen fructose levels to 8-12 mg per cent in postoperative collections. Semen citric acid was reduced to levels as low as 15-31 mg per cent. Chromatographic analysis of 5 seminal amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, serine and alanine) showed no significant difference between pre- and postoperative collections. An inhibition of secondary sexual characteristics was noted in 3 of the 4 younger seminal vesiculectomized bulls following the operation.