Abstract
Summary
Daily sperm production (DSP) in sexually mature rabbits was estimated to be 40.5 × 106/g of testis parenchyma or 187 × 106/animal. The daily sperm output (DSO) during a collection regimen of 2×/48 hr was 90.2 × 106 sperm/buck, accounting for 48% of the DSP. Up to 70% of DSP was accounted for by ejaculated sperm plus sperm in the urine. When the same group of males was sexually rested for an extended period 82% of the DSP was accounted for in the urine. The sperm unaccounted for may be resorbed or in part result from small errors of estimation. During the period of sexual rest sperm were voided in the urine in a cyclical pattern.
In another group of males sexually rested for 36 days only 10% of the DSP was found in urine, indicating that a majority of sperm were resorbed. Thus, resorption of sperm in recently filled epididymides may be greater initially than after prolonged periods of sexual rest.
The authors are grateful to Gary Anderson, Dick Cole, Janet Wiebold, Elvira Osirio de Valdivia, Lynne Deuschle and Esther McKay for valuable technical assistance. The senior author was supported by fellowships from the Kellogg Foundation and the Population Council.
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