were interrupted were not determined but the authors indicated 
that they were probably quite complex. They investigated the 
effects of three benzimidazoles, designated DMB, EMB, and HMB, 
on chicken spermatozoa stored for three days at 10 degrees Centi- 
grade in a phosphate buffer. All three substances were found to 
inhibit motility. HMB interfered with fructolysis and probably 
as a result, destroyed the fertilizing capacity of the sperm, 
However, both DMB and EMB permitted fructolysis to continue, 
and 1t was found that after removal of the substances, motility. 
was restored and satisfactory fertility could be obtained even 
after three days’ storage. The fertility levels obtained were: 
DMB = 60%, EMB = 48%, as compared with fresh semen - 86%, 
Harris, Wilcox, and Shaffner (1961) extended the use 
of these chemicals to turkey semen and found that EMB would ine 
hibit motility in the sperm of this species and that some fertil- 
ity could be obtained after storage for six hours. 
e) Effect of copulatory secretions. 
During the past few years, a controversy has been 
raging over the nature of the transparent fluid obtained when 
semen is collected artificially from male chickens. Lorenz (1959) 
has reviewed much of the pertinent information. It has been 
thought that the fluid is mainly lymph, or lymphlike blood 
transudate, presumably some of the fluid responsible for erection 
of the phallus. The amount of this fluid obtained varies widely 
from different males, the proportion being increased by over- 
vigorous milking at the base of the phallus. 
Lake, as quoted by Lorenz (1959), considers the trans- 
parent fluid to be an artifact of collection technique and not 
@ normal component of semen. However, Nishiyama (1955) disagrees, 
believing that it is a normal component corresponding to the 
secretions of the accessory reproductive organs of mammals. 
Nishiyama and Fujishima (1961) reported that the fluid is derived 
from the blood, not from the lymph as Lorenz reports, and that 
it is ejected during natural copulation. 
Lorenz (1959) states that the transparent fluid clots 
readily, and if present in considerable amounts in artificially 
collected semen may cause the whole sample to clot. Lake has 
observed its presence to reduce fertilizing capacity signifi- 
cantly in semen standing at room temperature for twenty minutes, 
Nishiyama (1955) states that small amounts of the fluid increase 
the motility of sperm but that large amounts of it result in de- 
creased motility. Clumps of sperm form soon after collection, 
the size of the clumps depending on the amount of transparent 
fluid present. Some of the clumps may be caused by an adhesive 
substance believed to be generated by partial coagulation of 
the transparent fluid. 
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