Effect of frequent ejaculation on semen characteristics in rams.
Sixteen Suffolk rams were ejaculated repeatedly for a period of eight hours during the month of November. Ejaculates were examined for semen characteristics. Volume density and number of sperm per ejaculate declined significantly in successive ejaculates. Motility and percentage abnormal sperm were not affected by frequent collection. It is concluded that the number of sperm per ejaculate, after the eighth ejaculate, could fall below that required for fertilisation to occur, particularly in progestagen treated ewes.
D000818:Animals; D004542:Ejaculation; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors