Vie CONG. INTERN. REPROD. ANIM. INSEM. ARTIF., PARIS, 1968, VOL. I

THE EFFECTS OF SEMINAL VESICULECTIOMY ON
FERTILITY OF FROZEN BOVINE SEMEN

G, J, KING, and J, W, MACPHERSON
Department of Animal Science, University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario, Canada,

It has been demonstrated that bovine epididymal spermatozoa are
fertile when used as liquid (1) and frozen semen (2) and are more
resistant to cold shock than ejaculated cells (3), Bovine seminal
plasma contains a toxic factor which depresses the livability of
extended spermatozoa during storage (4). The accessory gland
secretions also contain specific antigens (5) which could possibly
be involved in antifertility reactions, Therefore, elimination of
part or all of the seminal plasma may be beneficial for semen used
in artificial insemination,

This study was designed to investigate the feasibility of
eliminating a major portion of bovine seminal plasma through
surgical removal of the semimal vesicles and to compare the fertility
of semen collected and frozen before and after the operation,

MATERIALS AND METHODS, Seminal vesiculectomy was performed on four
bulls using a chain ecraseur following a method suggested by Horney
(6) and Delahante (7), Bulls were tranquilized, placed in a squeeze
chute and the rump and perineal region shaved and disinfected,
Caudel epidural anesthesia was obtained by injection of 2% procain
hydrochloride into the epidural space,

A vertical incision, 12 to 15 cm, long, was made in the
pararectal fossa, The approach was continued by forcing through the
coccygeal fascia, below the ventral border of the coccygeus muscle,
and by enlarging this opening until the hand could be introduced
into the pelvic cavity, The hand could then be directed forward,
through the pelvic cavity, parallel to the rectum and pelvic urethra,
In dairy bulls it was possible to proceed directly forward and
palpate the seminal vesicles, The pelvic cavity of beef bulls
contained large deposits of fat which were removed before the gland
could be palpated,

An opening was made through the peritoneum covering the gland
using a special hooked instrument, Blunt dissection was then
employed to free the seminal vesicle from its peritoneal sheath,

Two surgeons worked alternately to accomplish this, A chain
ecraseur was positioned around the gland and as close to the urethra
as possible so that the base could be severed, A lock stitch was
used for closure of the skin incision, The surgical procedure was
then repeated on the opposite side, Bulls received intramuscular

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