106
EFFECT OF MUSCULAR EXERCISE ON SEMEN
[Vol. XXII, Part II,
(vi) Total sperm in an ejaculate. As in the case of the initial motility, the total
sperm was higher for the non-exercised group than in the exercised group in the first
ejaculate and vice versa in the second ejaculate. The overall means for the two
treatments were: Exercise=1181 millions and Non-exercise 1246 millions. The
difference was not statistically significant. The between ejaculate difference however,
was found to be significant at 5 per cent level.
(vii) Initial pH. The mean pH was lower in the non-exercised lot as compared
to the exercise lot in the first ejaculate, while there was no difference in the second
ejaculate. The overall means for the exercised and non-exercised bulls were 6.02
and 5.98 respectively. The difference was statistically significant at 5 per cent level.
From the foregoing, it would appear that the attributes most likely to be affected
due to lack of regular exercise are initial pH, per cent of abnormal sperms,
sperm concentration and motility. In the first two attributes, the differences are
statistically significant, while in the rest, they approach the 5 per cent level of signi-
ficance.
Experiment III. The data are summarised in Table VI. The figures in the
table are averages of all observations within a period. Using the averages of all
observations within a period, analysis appropriate to 'switch-back' design was under-
taken separately for the first and second ejaculates, for each of the attributes under
study. As the error mean squares (carrying 6 d.f each) in the two ejaculates turned
out to be homogenous (as determined by F. test) in all cases, a pooled analysis over
both ejaculates was carried out. The results are given in Table VII. Examination
of Tables VI and VII shows :
(i) Volume. In both ejaculates on an average one hour exercised animals gave
slightly larger ejaculates than the two hour exercised ones, the respective overall
means being 1.79 c.c. and 1.58 c.c. The difference was not statistically significant.
(ii) Initial motility. The mean motility rating was higher in both ejaculates,
for the two hour exercised animals. The overall means for the one hour and two
hour exercised groups were 3.41 and 3.53 respectively. The difference was not statis-
tically significant.
(iii) Sperm concentration. In the first ejaculate, the average sperm concentration
of animals in the 'one hour exercise' group was lower and in the second ejaculate
higher than in the 'two hour exercise' lot. The actual overall means were 990
M/C for the one hour and 903 M/C for the two hour groups respectively. The differ-
ence was not statistically significant.
(iv) Per cent of abnormal sperm. The average percentage of abnormal
sperms was higher in the one hour than in the two hour group in the first ejaculate
and vice versa in the second ejaculate. The overall means of the one hour and two
hour exercised groups were 6.36 per cent, 16.23 per cent, respectively. The difference
was not statistically significant.
(v) Reaction time. In both ejaculates bulls in 'one hour exercise' group on an
average took longer time than those in the 'two hour exercise' group. The overall
respective means are 97 and 79 seconds. The difference was not statistically signi-
ficant.