Abstract
During an investigation of the specificity of mammalian spermatozoa 1 it was desired to obtain a pure suspension of spermatozoa for purposes of chemical fractionation. As a very large quantity of material was needed, it was necessary to devise a means of separating them from the isolated epididymis with a minimum of labor. The following method, using a pressure device, has been found useful in rapidly separating the spermatozoa from a large number of the organs.
The pressure device consists of a foot-pedal which activates a pressure bulb fitted with 2 one-way valves in line, a water reservoir, and pressure tubing leading to a blunt No. 22 gauge hypodermic needle fitted with a shut-off valve.
The testes of bulls and rams were obtained from the abbatoir with all their coverings intact. After washing off all adherent blood clots, the cavity of the tunica vaginalis was opened and the cauda epididymis removed together with a long section of the vas deferens. These pieces of epididymis with the adherent vas deferens were placed in sterile saline until used.
The open end of the vas deferens was pulled over the blunt needle, and secured by means of a clamp, the jaws of which were covered with fine rubber tubing, to prevent cutting of the tissues and back-flow. Pressure was then applied by means of the foot-pedal and water was injected into the epididymis. After injecting a small amount of water, the canal protruded in certain fields, one field appearing after the other over the shiny surface of the epididymis.
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