Seasonal variation in some characteristics of seminal plasma of Sudan Desert sheep in the tropics

Abstract

SUMMARYSome androgen-dependent constituents of seminal plasma of Sudan Desert rams were measured during the hot dry summer, the hot rainy season and the winter under tropical conditions in the Sudan. Higher concentrations of both fructose and citric acid were obtained between July and October during the rainy season and low values between January and April during winter, with marked monthly and seasonal variation in both characters. Considerable monthly variation in the hydrogen-ion concentration of semen was obtained with lower values between August and January and higher values between February and July. The androgenic status of the animals appears not to be decreased during the hot weather, but no explanation can be offered for the decrease during the winter.