The collection and examination of semen of the Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

• Published in: Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Dott, H. M., Utsi, M. N. P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1971
• Subjects: Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb01325.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1971.tb01325.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb01325.x; https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb01325.x

Semen was collected from all the mature Reindeer bulls (9) in the Glenmore herd, both normal and vasectomized. Nineteen samples of semen were obtained. Reindeer semen is a viscous fluid, generally amber in colour: after vasectomy its viscosity is much lower. The mean volume of the ejaculates was 0–5 ml. and mean sperm density 467 × 10 4 spermatozoa. Motility was low in comparison with other mammals and the proportion of eosinophilic spermatozoa was high (74.5%). Other determinations included measurements of the size of unstained spermatozoa, and of fructose and citric acid concentration in the semen.