Quantitative analysis of porcine spermatozoa and seminal plasma phospholipids as affected by frequency of ejaculation.

Abstract

Summary. Sixty-four ejaculates were collected from four crossbred litter-mate boars. Two frequencies of ejaculation were employed; once every 3 days and daily. Total semen volume (ml) and total spermatozoa per ejaculate (\m=x\109) for the two frequencies were 157, 37\m=.\4; and 131\m=.\9, 19\m=.\7,respectively. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma phospholipids were determined by thin-layer chromatography and phosphorus analysis. The phospholipid components of spermatozoa, in order of decreasing concentration, were: choline phosphatides, ethanolamine phosphatides, sphingomyelin, serine phosphatides, phosphatidic acid and/or polyglycerol phosphatides. Differences between collection frequencies for the phospholipid components were not significant. The seminal plasma phospholipid contained the same component phospholipids as the spermatozoa in addition to trace quantities of lysolecithin. Sphingomyelin was the major phospholipid present in the seminal plasma.