SEMEN WASTAGE AT A BOVINE ARTIFICIAL BREEDING CENTRE

The consequences of the use of swirl assessment at a bovine artificial breeding centre were studied. Data relating to the amount of semen discarded, fertility of accepted semen, the relationship between discard rates and age of bull and ejaculate number have been presented. The overall differences in fertility between semen with swirl ratings, 5, 6 and 7 were very small. About 50% of all ejaculates collected in the period considered were discarded at the first inspection. The discard rate tended to be greater in young and in older bulls. The discard rate was significantly greater (P less than or greater to 0.001) for second ejaculates. It was considered that a proportion of rejected semen may have been of good fertility. Semen wastage after freezing was low.     

Gaseous hydrocarbons in sea water: determination

Low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons in the C(l) to C(4) range have been detected and measured in sea water. Methane shows by far the highest concentration, followed in order by the C(2), C(3), and C(4) fractions. In general, the concentration tends to decrease with depth, but there is a strong indication that a maximum may exist about 30 to 50 meters below the surface.