The influence of the testis on the fertilizing life of spermatozoa in the ligated vas deferens of the golden hamster.

Spermatozoa in the vas deferens of the hamster lose their fertilizing capacity 3 days after ligation of the initial part of the duct and after 2 days if the testes are removed at the time of ligation. Sham-ligation had no effect on the fertilizing life of vasal spermatozoa on the contralateral side even 3 days after bilateral castration. Unilateral castration for 3 days had no effect on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa from the ipsilateral unobstructed duct, whereas no eggs were fertilized by spermatozoa from the contralateral ligated duct associated with the remaining testis. Unlike testosterone, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone injected daily or implanted subcutaneously in Silastic tubes maintained normal fertilizing capacity for 2 days in castrates and for 3 days in intact males. Within each group, ligation had no effect on the level of fructose in the seminal vesicle on that side compared with the level in the gland on the other side.