Sperm test - a useful tool in breeding work of mink

Abstract

A sperm test was performed over a period of five consecutive years as a fertility check on a mink farm. As a result of the test sterile males were eliminated from breeding, which led to a distinct increase in the number of kits per female. Results of a histological and stereological analysis of testicular tissue from sterile, sub-fertile and fertile males showed clear agreement with the results of the sperm test. In testes taken from sterile males serious disorders were observed in the seminiferous epithelium. The value of the sperm test method as a fertility test is emphasized.