Distribution of Bulk and Trace Minerals in Bull Reproductive Tract Fluids and Semen

Semen and seminal plasma and fluids from the testes, ampullae, and seminal vesicles have been analyzed for the concentrations of certain bulk and trace elements. Chloride concentrations also were determined for semen and seminal plasma of pooled ejaculates. The average values in milligrams per cent for semen and seminal plasma in the pooled samples of several consecutive ejaculates from individual bulls were, respectively: boron, ]. 74, 1.73; phosphorus, 70, 40; magnesium, 9.8, 9.8; calcium, 22, 25; sodium, 227, 242; potassimn, 173, 172, and chloride, 287, 330. The average of ten values in milligrams for semen and seminal plasma, respectively, of first ejaculates were: boron, 1. 02, 1.48; phosphorus, 105, 55; magnesium, 12.1, 11.6; iron, .61, .35; calcium, 47, 51, and sodium, 263, 273. Iron is mainly a constituent of spernmtozoa throughout the bull reproductive tract and in whole semen. Phosphorus is found in concentrations of less than 10 mg. % in seminal vesicle fluids and in 35 to 45 rag. % higher concentration in seminal plasma. Zinc and manganese were found in concentrations of less than 0.2 and 0.04 mg. % respectively, in all samples analyzed. Previous reports from this laboratory have shown the distribution of sodium, potassium, and calcium in male reproductive tract fluids (14) and of those elements and chloride in semen (6). Earlier, Rothschild and Barnes (13) published on the levels and relationships of these same elements plus magnesium in seminal plasma.