226 



GREGOR T. POPA. 



solution upon the sperm necessary for the reaction is inade- 

 quate and the coagulum is not formed. With an excess of 

 follicular fluid, the coagulum appears surrounded by a large 

 quantity of fluid; if the quantity of follicular fluid is insufficient, 

 the reaction fails also. From this we must conclude that some 

 substance in the follicular fluid is essential for the formation 

 of the coagulum. A minimum quantity of follicular fluid is 

 thus necessary; this quantity (0.2 cc. to o.i cc. dry sperm) is 

 indicated at the point a in the diagram. The line from a to a 



Follicular fluid 



Dry Sperm. 



tf./C.C. 



MaClO-9% 



indicates an indefinitely increasing quantity of follicular fluid in 

 which the reaction is still possible, providing the proportions of 

 dry sperm and sodium chloride solution remain constant in the 

 ratio of i : i . We must assume also an active maximum quantity 

 for the sodium chloride solution, namely, a quantity equal to 

 that of the amount of dry sperm. From this amount the 

 proportion of sodium chloride may be decreased indefinitely to 

 zero, at which the reaction is still possible, providing the follicular 

 fluid contains sufficient sodium chloride. 



The four negative cases obtained with correct proportions 

 stated require explanation. The following possibilities are sug- 

 gested : 



(a) Possibly the essential substance in the follicular fluid was 

 insufficient in quantity or lacking altogether. 



