EFFECT OF LIQUEFACTION TIME ON SEMEN PARAMETERS IN CHIMPANZEE (PAN-TROGLODYTES) EJACULATES

Ejaculates were obtained from eight adult male chimpanzees trained to use an artificial vagina. Spontaneously liquefied fractions were colle cted at 0-1, 1-2 and 2-4 h after ejaculation. The mean volumes of the spontaneously liquefied fractions did not differ significantly among t he three fi actions. The total number of sperm, the percentage of moti le sperm and the percentage of live sperm decreased significantly (P < 0.005) between the 0-1 and 1-2 h fractions. Citrate concentration and alpha-glucosidase activity (mU/ml) decreased significantly (P < 0.005 ) from 0-1 to 1-2 to 2-4 h fractions. The volume of the liquefied frac tion correlated positively (P < 0.001) with total protein and with tot al citrate at 0-1, 1-2 and 2-4 h. The total number of sperm correlated positively total with total alpha-glucosidase activity at 0-1, 1-2 an d 2-4 h. Among the biochemical parameters measured, total protein and total citrate correlated positively at 0-1, 1-2 and 2-4 h. (C) 1995 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.