Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism by which the number of spermatozoa decreases in the oviduct of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) after copulation. We observed the vagina and uterovaginal junction (UVJ) histologically before and 0.5, 1, 3 and 6h after copulation. A large number of spermatozoa were observed in the lumen of vagina and UVJ 0.5h after copulation, followed by a markedly decreasing number in posterior vagina (pV) and UVJ 1h after copulation. Some of the spermatozoa in the vaginal and UVJ lumen showed an eosinophilic appearance. The number of leukocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes) increased in the vaginal and UVJ lumen after copulation, and some of them were in close contact with spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were also localized in the mucosal epithelium and lamina propria just beneath the mucosal epithelium of UVJ 0.5h to 6h after copulation. These results suggest that the immunoreactions may be involved in the process of the decrease in the number of spermatozoa in the oviduct after copulation.
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