Abstract
Summary
Gonadal and extra gonadal sperm were determined in sexually rested and in ejaculated rabbits 10 weeks after unilateral vasoligation. Vasoligation depressed testicular sperm numbers by about 24% on the ligated side only, without altering testis weight. Sperm resorption from epididymides on unligated sides of ejaculated rabbits amounted to 11% of sperm production. Comparable averages for vasoligated sides of sexually rested rabbits and for vasoligated sides of ejaculated rabbits were 26 and 42%, respectively. These increments in epididymidal sperm resorption were not associated with increased sperm antibody titers. Epididymidal sperm numbers on the unoperated side of sexually rested unilaterally vasoligated rabbits were only 85% of those in sexually rested control rabbits, indicating that unilateral vasoligation increased the loss of sperm from the contralateral unoperated side. The data support the conclusion that at least 40% of an unoperated rabbit's sperm production may be lost via the urethra during periods of sexual inactivity.
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