Zinc content of spermatozoa from various levels of canine and rat reproductive tracts

Abstract

Zn concentrations of spermatozoa from the canine testis, epididymis, vas, and ejaculate, and from the rat epididymis have been determined by a dispersive-nondispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. "Preprostatic" levels of canine sperm were 0.15, 0.16, and 0.18 mg Zn/g dry wt. for testis, epididymis, and vas, respectively, whereas zinc levels of rat epididymal sperm averaged 0.86 mg Zn/g dry wt. Canine ejaculated sperm averaged 1.04 mg and canine seminal plasma 1.75 mg Zn/g dry wt. The results indicate that a function of the canine prostate is to contribute Zn to spermatozoa. In the rat, the Zn content of spermatozoa from the epididymis is similar to the level reported in ejaculated spermatozoa.