Studies on the accessory reproductive organs in the drake

The effects of the fluid from the ejaculatory groove region (EGR-fluid) on the survival and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa of the drake were examined. Semen was collected from the ductus deferens and divided into three parts; one remained undiluted (control 1) and other two were diluted with EGR-fluid and phosphate buffer (control 2) respectively. The survival of spermatozoa stored in the EGR-fluid was similar to that of controls but many spermatozoa were deformed during storage, the rate of which reached 57% in the samples stored for 24 hours. The fertilizing ability of the fresh (unstored) spermatozoa was not adversely affected by the addition of EGR-fluid but a rather favourable effect of the fluid was recognized. In contrast, when the spermatozoa were stored in vitro, the EGR-fluid exerted an adverse effect on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa.