Bovine Semen Metabolism. IV. Effect of Added Hormones and Amino Acids on Fructolysis

A total of 46 semen samples was used to determine the effects of the addition of the hormones, epinephrine, insulin, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine, and of the sulfhydry]containing amino acids, ergothioneine and cysteine, on fructolysis in bull semen. A control tube and three tubes with the selected levels of compound addition and semen were incubated at 37 C. in a 2.9% sodium citrate buffer, and fructose utilizations were determined at 60 and 120 rain. Epinephrine addition (4-100 ~g. per milliliter) resulted in an inhibition of fruetolysis during the 0-to 60-min. period, with a return to the control level during the 60-to 120-rain. period. There was no apparent effect of insulin (4-100 ~g. per milliliter) ; thyroxine (0.04-1.00 ~g. per milliliter) ; triiodothyronine (0.008-0.200 ~g. per milliliter); ergothioneine (4-100 /xg. per milliliter), or cysteine (4-100 ~g. per milliliter) on fructose utilization.