Open AccessThe relation between “density” of sperm-suspension and fertility as determined by artificial insemination of rabbits
Author(s) -
Arthur Walton
Publication year - 1927
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series b, containing papers of a biological character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9185
pISSN - 0950-1193
DOI - 10.1098/rspb.1927.0017
Subject(s) - fertility , spermatozoon , sterility , artificial insemination , sperm , insemination , semen , suspension (topology) , andrology , biology , vagina , gynecology , mathematics , anatomy , medicine , pregnancy , population , botany , genetics , environmental health , homotopy , pure mathematics
Experiments on the physiology of the spermatozoon are in progress in which artificial insemination is used as a test of fertility. One of the variables which enters into the technique is the number of spermatozoa introduced into the vagina of the female. This number will depend upon the “density” of the suspension ( i. e ., the number of spermatozoa per cubic centimetre) and the volume. The following experiments were undertaken to test the effect of varying the density of the suspension, the volume being constant. Apart from solving a problem of technique it was hoped to gain information on some of the factors which affect fertility or sterility under normal breeding, since it is conceivable that here also the number or density of the ejaculated spermatozoa may play a part.