Relationship between seminal plasma lactoferrin and gonadal function in horses.
Total 78 semen samples were obtained from 27 Thoroughbred stallions (aged 6 to 27 years), and were subjected to quantification of lactoferrin (Lf) in seminal plasma and examination of the seminal properties. The seminal plasma Lf concentration varied from 21 to 689 microg/ml, with a mean value of 244 +/- 151 microg/ml (S.D.). The seminal plasma Lf concentration and total seminal plasma Lf positively correlated with the sperm concentration (r=0.5938, P<0.001) and with the total sperm number (r=0.6959, P<0.001), respectively. There was no correlation between seminal plasma Lf and sperm motility. These results suggest that seminal plasma Lf reflects gonadal function.
Kikuchi
Motohiro
M
Laboratory of Theriogenology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan.
Takao
Yukihiro
Y
Tokuda
Nanako
N
Ohnami
Yohji
Y
Orino
Koichi
K
Watanabe
Kiyotaka
K
D000818:Animals; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013076:Sperm Count
D007781:Lactoferrin