This study was conducted to investigate the effects of intramuscular vitamin C administrations on spermatological charecteristics of rams.

In this investigation, six Akkaraman rams were used. Semen was collected by electroejaculation technique once in every three days for a month. Blood samples were taken after semen collections. After the intramuscular administration of vitamin C at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 30 days, blood and semen samples were taken similarly once in every three days during injections. All ejaculates were immediately evaluated for spermatological chrecteristics after collection and then vitamin C levels were determined in blood serum and semen samples.

While the average semen volume was 1.02±0.02 ml, average sperm concentration was 2.677±0.055x10⁹/ml, and average sperm motility was 80.7±0.31%, these values were found to be 1.18±0.02 ml (P<0.05), 3.027±0.040x10⁹/ml (P<0.05), and 82.2±0.24% (P>0.05), respectively, after administration of vitamin C. While the average vitamin C levels in blood serum and semen of rams were 0.427±0.01 mg/100 ml and 3.384±0.08 mg/100 ml, respectively before administration of vitamin C, these values were found as 1.596±0.03 mg/100 ml (P<0.01) and 3.915±0.07 mg/100 ml (P<0.01), respectively, after administration of vitamin C.

In conclusion, intramuscular administration of vitamin C in rams increased the levels of vitamin C in blood serum and semen, semen volume, and spermatozoon concentration. Therefore, intramuscular administration of vitamin C in rams can improve semen quality in breeding season.