Abstract
Summary and conclusions
1. Coagulation of rat semen seems to involve a diphasic reaction consisting of 1) flocculation and 2) gelation. 2. Velocity of the coagulation reaction can be timed with reproducible results, under the experimental conditions described. 3. The reaction is linear with dilution of the component secretions. 4. Optimum pH range for the reaction lies between 6.8 and 8.2. 5. Zn++ and Cu++ appear to inhibit the coagulation reaction. Blood clotting inhibitors have no effect. Na+ seems essential for clotting to occur. 6. Heating of the coagulating gland component destroys activity. 7. Slow freezing of the coagulating gland destroys activity, rapid freezing does not. 8. A crude preparation of the coagulating gland component has been obtained by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation. Further work is in progress on purification of this substance.
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