Relation between washed sperm cells and fluid from White Fulani Genitalia in some enzyme activities and lipid contents

Abstract

Lipid contents and enzyme activities were studied in the fluid and washed sperm (WS) from the genitalia of 26 mature White Fulani (WF) bulls of mean live weight 213.96±4.88kg (range 140 260kg) in a complete randomized design experiment. Tissue homogenization and biochemical assay methods were employed after storing the tissue in deep freeze for 24 hours post slaughter. Total lipid contents did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between WS and fluid of the testis, the caput epididymis and the cauda epididymis but was significantly (P<0.05) higher in WS than the fluid in corpus epididymis and vas deferens. Phospholipid and phospholipid phosphorus contents of WS and fluid did not vary significantly (P>0.05) benveen WS in the testis and epididymis. Alkaline phosphatatse (ALP) activity was higher (P<0.05) in the corpus and cauda edididymal fluid than in the WS. Glutamic Oxalate Transaminase (GOT) activity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the fluid than the WS in all segments but not in the testis. The generally higher values of lipids in the washed sperm over the fluid the need for lipids as protective cover and as substrates for sperm survival from its formation up to maturation. The generally higher enzyme activity in the fluid is an indicator of damage to sperm acrosome, with corresponding leakage of enzyme into the fluid consequent upon the various stress conditions encountered as sperm traverses the epididymis for the maturation process and finally sojourns in the epididymis.