Effect of L-tyrosine administration on some trace elements in ram serum and seminal plasma

Out of 30 rams, 12-20 months of age, 14 rams were treated with L- tyrosine, in a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight and 16 rams were left as control. Three semen and blood samples were collected from each ram once weekly and the seminal plasma and serum were taken for estimating the copper, zinc and manganese content. The present results revealed higher values for these elements in the seminal plasma and serum of the treated group when compared with those in the control. With the exception of manganese, copper and zinc appeared significantly higher in the seminal plasma than those in the serum. The ejaculate volume showed significant correlation which was positive with copper [0.601] and zinc [0.544] and negative with manganese [-0.495]. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the sperm motility and zinc [0.668]