The phospholipid content of ejaculated fowl and turkey spermatozoa

Chicken and turkey spermatozoal lipids were separated into acidic and non-acidic fractions by DEAE cellulose column chromatography. The phospholipid composition of each fraction was examined by thin-layer chromatography, followed by phosphorus analysis. Chicken sperm phospholipid comprised 38.21% phosphatidyl choline, 9.04% phosphatidal choline, 12.62% phosphatidyl ethanolamine, 8.04% phosphatidal ethanolamine, 8.28% sphingomyelin, 9.76% phosphatidyl serine, 6.5% phosphatidyl inositol, and 7.49% cardiolipin. Turkey sperm phospholipid comprised 34.15% phosphatidyl choline, 7.14% phosphatidal choline, 15.61% phosphatidyl ethanolamine, 11.34% phosphatidal ethanolamine, 9.91% sphingomyelin, 8.83% phosphatidyl serine, 4.80% phosphatidyl inositol, and 8.22% cardiolipin.