Viablity and Morphology of Ram Spermatozoa in the Ligated Epididymis

Abstract

In a total of 16 Merino rams, the corpus-cauda epididymal junction was ligated either bilaterally (eight rams) or unilaterally (eight rams). Semen was collected from six and urine from two of the bilaterally obstructed rams over periods of 34 days after operation. The characteristics of semen collected at different postligation days and the viability of spermatozoa in these samples during storage in vitro at 5°C, and number of spermatozoa voided in urine, were examined. Four of the unilaterally ligated rams were slaughtered 34 days and the remaining four 60 days after ligation, and the number of spermatozoa and the percentages motile, abnormal, and unstained cells were determined in the portions of the tract anterior and posterior to ligation.