The hyaluronidase content of semen

Abstract

Assays of the hyaluronidase content of the semen of men, rabbits, bulls, boars, dogs and fowls have been made by the method described by Swyer and Emmens (1947). These have shown that in the first 4 spp. there is a close correlation between hyaluronidase content and sperm density. In the case of dogs and fowls, no such correlation could be found. The absence of hyaluronidase in a cryptorchid and in prepu-beral rabbit testes is demonstrated. The conclusion is reached that seminal hyaluronidase originates in active seminiferous epithelium and is not secreted by the accessory glands.