Fertility and electrolyte composition of the rat cauda epididymal plasma and spermatozoa before and after castration.
Attempts have been made to assess the changes in Na+ and K+ concentrations in the cauda epididymal plasma and spermatozoa, and to correlate these parameters to changes in fertility shortly after castration in the rat. Fertility was markedly decreased 3 days after androgen withdrawal. By contrast, spermatocrit and Na+ concentration in spermatozoa were increased on day 2 post-castration. Neither Na+ and K+ concentrations in the plasma nor K+ inside spermatozoa were altered. The results are discussed in terms of a reduction in the epididymal secretion of macromolecules which are responsible for an increase in net Na+ influx into sperm cells.
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium; D051381:Rats; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000728:Androgens; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium