This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by ALLISON, A. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by ALLISON, A. J.

A COMPARISON OF THE TRANSPORT OF SPERMATOZOA IN SPAYED AND ENTIRE EWES

Summary.: The pattern of transport of spermatozoa in spayed ewes treated with 10 mg progesterone for 12 days followed by 24 µg ODB was compared with that in entire animals at two times of recovery following artificial insemination or natural mating. Spayed ewes had fewer spermatozoa in all sections of the tract than did entire ewes for all treatment combinations. The numbers recovered from the cervix and vagina were higher at 2 than at 24 hr after insemination, while the converse was true for the Fallopian tubes. More spermatozoa were recovered from the Fallopian tubes of naturally mated than of artificially inseminated ewes but the difference was not evident in other regions of the tract. Histological examination of the uterine endometrium indicated an early stage of atrophy in the spayed ewes. Thus, hormonal regimens which will induce behavioural oestrus of `normal' dimensions in spayed ewes will not maintain the functional integrity of the uterus and the transport of spermatozoa within the tract is grossly impaired.