A LIPO-GEL REACTION. 



229 



Follicular 

 Fluid. 



Result. 



io C Positive 



28 C 



37 C 



40 C 



45 C 



50 C 



54 C 



55 C 



56 C Negative 



28 C Positive 



28 C 



56 C Negative 



_zro /- tt 



.-O L, 



Dry 

 Sperm. 



10 C. 



28 C. 

 37 C. 

 56 C. 

 57 C. 

 56 C. 

 56 C. 

 56 C. 

 56 C. 

 56 C. 

 72 C. 

 100 C. 

 28 C. 



(g) Freshness of material. Dry sperm and ovaries were kept 

 in the refrigerator and used for the test at various intervals. 

 It was found that sperm fifteen days old and follicular fluid 

 eight days old still yield a positive reaction either when tested 

 with each other or with fresh sperm or follicular fluid respectively. 

 The age of the materials therefore within the limits stated does 

 not affect the reaction. 



4. In order to obtain a better understanding of the nature 

 of the reaction follicular fluid and dry sperm have been examined 

 microscopically and the literature has been consulted as to the 

 possible constituents present in these two fluids. I found that 

 dry sperm may contain spermatozoa, spermatocytes, blood, and 

 lipoid substances. Follicular fluid contains or may contain 

 blood (red and white corpuscles and many substances in solution 

 or suspension), granulosa cells, proteins, sodium chloride and 

 other salts, and pigment. I attempted to determine which of 

 these constituents are involved in the reaction. 



(a) Blood. It is very difficult to avoid the admixture of 

 blood into either sperm or follicular fluid owing to the cutting 

 or pricking of blood-vessels in obtaining these substances. In 

 my earlier experiments blood was constantly present in my tests 

 and I therefore was inclined to ascribe the reaction to the presence 



