Biomaterial Database

The influence of experimentally induced copper deficiency on the fertility of rams. I. Semen parameters and peripheral plasma androgen concentration. 1989

F E Van Niekerk, and C H Van Niekerk

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, University of Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa.

The influence of molybdenum and molybdenum plus sulphate-induced copper deficiencies on semen quality and peripheral plasma testosterone concentrations in South African Mutton Merino rams was investigated. All animals received an identical ration, supplemented with molybdenum in one group (M) and molybdenum plus sulphate in another (MS) while the control group (C) received additional copper supplementation. After almost a year on these rations, rams in Group MS produced ejaculates of lower volume, lower sperm concentration, poorer sperm motility and morphology than rams of the other 2 groups. The fructose concentration in the ejaculates of group MS rams was also lower than that of rams in the other groups. Peripheral plasma testosterone concentrations in Group MS were lower than in Groups C or M. Liver copper concentrations and clinical signs were consistent with a severe copper deficiency in Group MS and a mild deficiency in Group M. After the copper deficiency was reversed, the above parameters reverted to normal. It was concluded that an experimentally induced copper deficiency produced reversible impairment of testicular function in rams.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D008297	Male		Males
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D005632	Fructose	A monosaccharide in sweet fruits and honey that is soluble in water, alcohol, or ether. It is used as a preservative and an intravenous infusion in parenteral feeding.	Levulose,Apir Levulosa,Fleboplast Levulosa,Levulosa,Levulosa Baxter,Levulosa Braun,Levulosa Grifols,Levulosa Ibys,Levulosa Ife,Levulosa Mein,Levulosado Bieffe Medit,Levulosado Braun,Levulosado Vitulia,Plast Apyr Levulosa Mein,Levulosa, Apir,Levulosa, Fleboplast
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012643	Selenium	An element with the atomic symbol Se, atomic number 34, and atomic weight 78.97. It is an essential micronutrient for mammals and other animals but is toxic in large amounts. Selenium protects intracellular structures against oxidative damage. It is an essential component of GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE.	Selenium-80,Selenium 80
D012661	Semen	The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. In addition to reproductive organ secretions, it contains SPERMATOZOA and their nutrient plasma.	Seminal Plasma,Plasma, Seminal
D012756	Sheep	Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS.	Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D012757	Sheep Diseases	Diseases of domestic and mountain sheep of the genus Ovis.	Ovine Diseases,Disease, Ovine,Disease, Sheep,Diseases, Ovine,Diseases, Sheep,Ovine Disease,Sheep Disease
D013094	Spermatozoa	Mature male germ cells derived from SPERMATIDS. As spermatids move toward the lumen of the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, they undergo extensive structural changes including the loss of cytoplasm, condensation of CHROMATIN into the SPERM HEAD, formation of the ACROSOME cap, the SPERM MIDPIECE and the SPERM TAIL that provides motility.	Sperm,Spermatozoon,X-Bearing Sperm,X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm,Y-Bearing Sperm,Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperm,Sperm, X-Bearing,Sperm, X-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperm, Y-Bearing,Sperm, Y-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperms, X-Bearing,Sperms, X-Chromosome-Bearing,Sperms, Y-Bearing,Sperms, Y-Chromosome-Bearing,X Bearing Sperm,X Chromosome Bearing Sperm,X-Bearing Sperms,X-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms,Y Bearing Sperm,Y Chromosome Bearing Sperm,Y-Bearing Sperms,Y-Chromosome-Bearing Sperms