Oestrogen content of semen and the effect of exogenous oestradiol-17beta on the oestrogen and androgen concentration in semen and blood plasma of bulls.

Abstract

The concentration (mean +/- S.E.M.) of oestrogen in semen (0-89 +/- 0-04 ng/ml) of bulls was 8-9-fold higher than in blood plasma (0-10 +/- 0-01 ng/ml) while the concentration of androgen in semen (1-15 +/- 0-26 ng/ml) was 2-7-fold lower than in blood plasma (3-21 +/- 0-47 ng/ml). This concentration of oestrogen in semen was not influenced by 0,1,3 or 5 false mounts or when ejaculations occurred at 2-min intervals. When 100 mg oestradiol-17beta were injected i.v. the oestrogen level in semen followed that in the plasma.