CONTENTS 



CHAP. PAGE 



PREFACE V 



INTRODUCTION xiii 



I THE TWO COMPONENTS OF SEMEN: SPERMATOZOA AND 



SEMINAL PLASMA 1 



Spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis and sperm 'ripening'. Sperm 

 transport in the female reproductive tract and 'capacitation'. 

 Structural and chemical characteristics of the sperm-head, 

 middle-piece and tail. 



Seminal plasma. Secretory function of male accessory 

 glands. Prostatic secretion. Seminal vesicle secretion. Physio- 

 logical significance of seminal plasma. Prostaglandin, vesi- 

 glandin, and certain other pharmacodynamically active sub- 

 stances. Coagulation and liquefaction. 



II CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WHOLE 



EJACULATED SEMEN 30 



Species and individual variations in the composition of 

 semen. Pre-sperm, sperm-containing, and post-sperm fractions 

 in the ejaculate. Criteria for the rating of semen quality. 

 Optical and electrical properties of semen. Viscosity, specific 

 gravity, osmotic pressure, and ionic equilibrium. Hydrogen 

 ion concentration and buffering capacity. Metabolism of 

 semen and its relation to sperm density and motility; glycolysis; 

 methylene-blue reduction test; respiration. 



Ill THE INFLUENCE OF EXTRANEOUS FACTORS, HORMONES, 



AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 54 



Sperm inhibitors and spermicidal substances. Chemical 

 aspects of short-wave radiation. Variations in hydrogen ion 

 concentration and tonicity. Influence of heat and cold; sperm 

 vitrification and 'la vie latente'. Role of hormones. Sperm-egg 

 interacting substances and chemotaxis. 'Dilution effect' and 

 chemical changes associated with senescence. The use of 

 artificial diluents in the storage of semen. 



vu 



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