Artificial Insemination with Motile Sperm from Ovariotomized Fowl. ∗

Abstract

Our recent studies 1 have demonstrated the occurrence of spermatogenesis in the ovariotomized Leghorn fowl and explained the conditions under which it arises. In these cases ovariotomy was performed at a relatively early age before the primordial germ cells in the right rudimentary gonad were known to disappear. In a small percentage of the birds operated under these conditions spermatogenesis was later found to occur.

These early cases of spermatogenesis were found on histological examination of the serially sectioned gonad. This study revealed that only exceedingly rarely did most of the gonad undergo spermatogenesis, but that almost invariably only a small part of the tubules of the gonad revealed this condition, while the rest of the gonad was composed of scattered sterile tubules varying in number. In a few cases spermatogenesis was apparently not yet complete in that no differentiated spermatozoa were found. A continuous passageway between the spermatic tubules and the associated vas deferens could not be positively demonstrated, though such connections with some of the tubules may occasionally be found in sterile right gonads. In all cases belonging to the series, the anterior part of the vas deferens from its area of attachment to the gonad to 5-6 mm. posteriorly was sectioned. This part of the duct was always fixed intact with the gonad, care being taken not to destroy the union between them. In no case has sperm been found in this part of the duct.

The question whether the spermatozoa observed in such cases of sex-inversion are actually motile and capable of fertilization is exceedingly interesting and one that obviously could not be answered from a study of the histologically prepared material. Furthermore, since the poularde is not known to tread except in very rare cases, having found but one case in our entire work, special methods were necessary to determine this point.