Effect of Castration and Steroid Therapy on Seminal Plasma with Respect to Fructose Utilization by Normal Bull Sperm.

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Abstract
Separation of normal bull semen into sperm and plasma by centrifugation, washing and subsequent reconstitution had no detrimental effect on the rate of fructose utilization by sperm. Similar results were obtained when semen from several bulls was intermixed. Normal bull sperm was added to seminal plasmas from normal, castrated and testosterone-treated, and vasoresected and testosterone-treated bulls. Measurement of fructose utilization showed the following: Seminal plasma from castrated bulls devoid of fructose only partially supported utilization of added fructose by sperm. Testosterone treatment improved the fructolysis rate. When loss of seminal fructose after castration was prevented by immediate testosterone therapy, sperm added to such plasma failed to show normal fructolysis. While vasoresection had no adverse effect on sex drive, plasma volume and fructose concn., it appeared to affect the accessory sex organs in a manner similar to that following castration. Fructose metabolism was subnormal and was not improved by subsequent testosterone treatment.