A study of some factors influencing fertility and sterility in the bullGilman, Herbert Lester
Science
A study of some factors influencing fertility and sterility in the bull
Gilman, Herbert Lester
Cattle; Infertility in animals; Livestock; Thesis (Ph. D.)
_Motility_: After clinical observation of the motility of the
spermatozoa of the bull, I find that it differs little or none from the
types as observed by Reynolds (34) in his work on human spermatozoa. His
observations are so accurate and well described that they will be given
in his words. “All normal motions appear to be consecutive phases.
Initial motion, i. e., motion as seen in fresh semen under favorable
conditions, consists of a lashing of the after part of the tail from
side to side which is so rapid as to constitute vibration. It produces
rapid forward motion in a practically straight line, the head, middle
piece, and forward portion of the tail maintaining their position in the
line of motion with practically no swaying from side to side. The action
of the flagellum is so rapid that it is quite impossible to follow its
individual movements. Spermatozoa swimming in this manner head against
the current and usually cross the field of observation in about five
seconds in the absence of currents or obstacles. This type of motion
will be described throughout the paper as ‘progressive vibratile’
motion. Progressive vibratile motion is normally succeeded after a
variable length of time by what I regard as the second phase of normal
motion.
“The second normal motion differs from the first not only in its
character but in markedly reduced speed. The tail movement alters to a
long stroke from side to side and almost the whole length of the tail
partakes in the stroke. This is, moreover, accompanied by swaying of the
head and middle piece through an arc which is always considerable and
may even equal ninety degrees. The general outline of the spermatozoa,
from being practically straight with almost non-detectable sharp, quick,
small arc vibration of the after-tail, has become an S in outline, with
large, slow, plainly perceptible undulations traveling gradually
backward throughout the length of the spermatozoon. Speed has been lost
and direction seems to be more specifically determined by the
surroundings. Individuals at this stage show a pronounced choice of
direction and go up to objects in the medium, from which they later make
off as though the movement were determined by tactile reaction to some
extent. This type of motion has, therefore, been named ‘undulatory
tactile’ in contradistinction to ‘progressive vibratile.’
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