The buffer capacity and the specific gravity of bull semen

Abstract

There was a significant positive correlation between the buffer capacity and motility of sperm and a highly significant negative correlation between the buffer capacity and thepH. There was no correlation between the buffer capacity and the volume of the ejaculate or the number of sperm per c.mm. Specimens which maintained a good motility on storage had a better buffer capacity than those which did not.The specific gravity of 125 semen specimens was 1·0337. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the specific gravity and the number of sperm per c.mm. and the percentage motility and a highly significant negative correlation between the specific gravity and thepH. There was no relationship between the specific gravity of semen and the volume of the ejaculate, or thepH change. In general, the higher the specific gravity of the seminal fluid, the better was motility maintained on storage. The higher the specific gravity, the lower was thepH and the better the buffer capacity of seminal fluid.