Sperm Behavior Research Articles

Behavior of Spermatozoa in the Genital Tract of the Hen

Behavior of Spermatozoa in the Genital Tract of the Hen

Behavior of Spermatozoa in the Genital Tract of the Hen

The studies on the behavior of spermatozoa in the oviduct of the hen are important in order to clear the mechanism of retention for a long period of the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in the oviduct.In the previous papers, the author stated that the inseminated spermatozoa were retained in the glandular cavities (sperm-nests) of both the infundibulum and the utero-vaginal junction, and the infundibulum probably had higher capacity for the preservation of spermatozoa than the utero-vaginal junction.This paper describes the results concerning the fertility and spermatozoal behavior following infundibulal and vaginal inseminations, and the estimation concerning the difference in the capacity for the preservation of spermatozoa between the infundibulum and the utero-vaginal junction.1) Inseminations of one hundred million spermatozoa were made in two sites; the infundibulum following laparotomy and the vagina. The weekly percentages of fertile eggs during three weeks following inseminations were respectively, 93.8, 88.2, 33.0 in the case of the infundibulum; 87.5, 50.0, 7.2 in the case of the vagina. The duration of fertility following the infundibulal insemination ranged over 12 to 27 days, with a mean of 17.2 with a S.D. of 4.0 days. On the other hand, when the insemination was made in the vagina, it ranged over 6 to 17 days, with a mean of 12.2 with a SD. of 3.5 days.There appeared at 2nd week significant differences in percentages of fertile eggs following the infundibulal and vaginal inseminations, and so did they at 3rd week. And the durations of fertilities in the two cases of inseminations were different significantly.2) Histological evidence showed that spermatozoa deposited in the infundibulum entered the infundibulal glands (sperm-nests) in all examples, but some spermatozoa migrated caudally and entered the utero-vaginal glands (sperm-nests) in several examples.3) There were no significant difference in the percentages of fertile eggs and in the durations of fertilities following vaginal inseminations between one hundred million spermatozoa and larger numbers (four hundred million and one thousand million spermatozoa).4) The results in this paper and the previous papers showed that most spermatozoa deposited in the infundibulum were preserved in the glands (sperm-nests) of this portion and most spermatozoa deposited in the vagina were preserved in the utero-vaginal glands (sperm-nests).5) It seems likely that the significant differences in the percentages of fertile eggs and in the durations of fertilities between the infundibulal and the vaginal insemination were owing to the difference of the capacity for the preservation between the infundibulal and utero-vaginal glands (sperm-nests).

THE EFFECTS OF X RAYS ON INSEMINATION AND SPERM RETENTION IN DROSOPHILA.

The effect of x rays on insemination success and retention of sperm during storage in inseminated females was studied by direct microscopic estimates of the relative fullness of excised ventral receptacles in female Drosophila melanogaster dissected at intervals following mating. Males were treated at 12 x- ray dose levels ranging from 500 to 75000 r and mated for 24 hours to untreated, virgin females. The insemination success in groups of females dissected immediately after the mating period was significantly lower in treated groups than in the controls at all doses of 4000 r or more. The reduction in insemination was proportional to -0.0066 times the dose in kiloroentgens at doses to 40 kr, and was even more extreme at doses of 60 and 75 kr. Males were treated with 4000, 25000, or 50000 r of x rays and mated for 24 hours to virgin untreated females. The insemination success in females dissected immediately after the mating period was lower in each treated group, and the retention of sperm after 7 and 14 days of storage in the females was drastically reduced in the 25000 and 50000 r groups. Inseminated females were treated at eight x ray dose levels ranging frommore » 5000 r to 50000 r, and dissected at times ranging from 2 hours to 17 days after irradiation. Reductions in the success of the sperm retention were first noted 24 hours after irradiation at the highest dose levels, and became evident even at lower doses within the 17-day storage period. It was concluded that some aspect of sperm behavior, possibly motility, is affected by x rays at doses within the range commonly employed in genetic studies. This finding is significant for the analysis of induced mutation rates in Drosophila. (auth)« less

Behavior of Spermatozoa in the Genital Tract of the Hen

The studies on the behavior of spermatozoa in the oviduct of the hen are important in order to clear the mechanism of retention for a long period of the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in the oviduct.In the previous papers, the author stated that the inseminated spermatozoa were retained in the glandular cavities (sperm-nests) of both the infundibulum and the utero-vaginal junction, and the infundibulum probably had higher capacity for the preservation of spermatozoa than the utero-vaginal junction.This paper describes the results concerning the fertility and spermatozoal behavior following infundibulal and vaginal inseminations, and the estimation concerning the difference in the capacity for the preservation of spermatozoa between the infundibulum and the utero-vaginal junction.1) Inseminations of one hundred million spermatozoa were made in two sites; the infundibulum following laparotomy and the vagina. The weekly percentages of fertile eggs during three weeks following inseminations were respectively, 93.8, 88.2, 33.0 in the case of the infundibulum; 87.5, 50.0, 7.2 in the case of the vagina. The duration of fertility following the infundibulal insemination ranged over 12 to 27 days, with a mean of 17.2 with a S.D. of 4.0 days. On the other hand, when the insemination was made in the vagina, it ranged over 6 to 17 days, with a mean of 12.2 with a SD. of 3.5 days.There appeared at 2nd week significant differences in percentages of fertile eggs following the infundibulal and vaginal inseminations, and so did they at 3rd week. And the durations of fertilities in the two cases of inseminations were different significantly.2) Histological evidence showed that spermatozoa deposited in the infundibulum entered the infundibulal glands (sperm-nests) in all examples, but some spermatozoa migrated caudally and entered the utero-vaginal glands (sperm-nests) in several examples.3) There were no significant difference in the percentages of fertile eggs and in the durations of fertilities following vaginal inseminations between one hundred million spermatozoa and larger numbers (four hundred million and one thousand million spermatozoa).4) The results in this paper and the previous papers showed that most spermatozoa deposited in the infundibulum were preserved in the glands (sperm-nests) of this portion and most spermatozoa deposited in the vagina were preserved in the utero-vaginal glands (sperm-nests).5) It seems likely that the significant differences in the percentages of fertile eggs and in the durations of fertilities between the infundibulal and the vaginal insemination were owing to the difference of the capacity for the preservation between the infundibulal and utero-vaginal glands (sperm-nests).

Effect of hormones on in vitro metabolism of bull semen.

Effects of steroids and thyro-active substances on respiration and glycolysis of bovine spermatozoa were studied with the following results: 1. A consistent but insignificant reduction in oxygen uptake and fructolysis was seen when 0.48% ethanol was used as steroid solvent, while 0.29% ethanol had no effect. 2. 17-Methyltestos-terone, testosterone and androstenedione caused a marked inhibition of respiration and fructolysis. A similar but less pronounced effect on oxygen uptake was obtained with 17-Methylnortestosterone, androsterone, 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone, norandrostenedione, high levels of androstane-3, 17-diol, and estradiol. Acetoxytestosterone acetate, pregnandiol and low levels of androstane-3, 17-diol were ineffective. 3. Fructolysis was significantly reduced by androstenedione, pregnenolone, high levels of androstane-3, 17-diol and estradiol. 4. There is some indication of a relationship between androgenicity of a steroid and its interference with metabolic behavior of sperm. 5. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine were difficult to evaluate because of inconsistent stimulatory or depressant behavior which to some extent seemed to be influenced by the concentration employed. Thyroglobulin, however, showed a progressive depression of oxygen consumption with increase in dosage used.

Note on the preparation of specimens of oriented sperm heads for x-ray diffraction and infrared absorption studies and on some pseudo-molecular behaviour of sperm

Some sperm heads (e.g. those of Sepia) contain nucleo-protein molecule lying parallel to the length of the head. Fibre or sheet specimens consisting of an aggregate of intact sperm lying parallel may be made from spermatophore or from fluid from the vas deferens. Such specimens are used for infra-red and X-ray diffraction studies of the molecular structure of nucleo-protein in cells.

A technique for aspirating viable spermatozoa from the cavity of the uterus as a further study in sperm behavior: A preliminary report

A technique employing a lactic acid swabbing of the cervix uteri between the external and internal os is proposed for the aspiration of living spermatozoa from within the uterine cavity. With this technique, it is probable that if living spermatozoa are found in the uterus, they were not pushed into the uterus from the cervix by the examining cannula.

Iodine Compounds and Fertilisation

ABSTRACT In the earlier papers of this series (Carter, 1930-32) it has been shown that a compound which is related to thyroxine in chemical structure plays an essential part in the fertilisation of the gametes of Echinus esculentus and E. miliaris. Evidence has been brought forward that this substance is present in the ripe egg, being formed during the later stages of its ripening, and that it is concerned in the increase of chemical activity which occurs in the egg after fertilisation. It is probably identical with or closely related to Lillie’s fertilizin. It is also present in the egg secretions and in the ripe sperm. Further, the similarity between the effects produced by the secretions and by thyroxine on sperm which was not perfectly ripe (in the sense previously defined, 1931 a, p. 180), and the fact that the behaviour of such sperm in the presence of thyroxine became identical with that of ripe sperm led to the conclusion that this substance is formed within the sperm during the later stages of its ripening, as it is formed in the ripening of the egg.

A study of the function of the epididymis. II. The importance of an aging process in sperm for the length of the period during which fertilizing capacity is retained by sperm isolated in the epididymis of the guinea‐pig

AbstractFollowing the isolation of sperm in the epididymides of male guinea‐pigs by the separation of this organ from the testis, the animals were found to remain fertile for periods varying from twenty to thirty‐five days, whether they were allowed to mate but once during this period, or five times during the period, or twenty times during the period. Motile sperm were found as long as fifty‐nine days after the operation. It was concluded, on the basis of these data, that an aging process which sperm isolated in the epididymis undergo is more important than the number of matings (up to at least nine or ten) in the determination of the period during which sperm motility is retained and in the determination of the period during which fertilizing capacity is retained.If the behavior of sperm isolated in the epididymides can be taken as an indication of the processes of sperm development which occur normally, the epididymis would seem to be an organ in which sperm may at one time be attaining an optimal functional state and may at another time be aging and becoming incapable of functioning. The possible significance of this suggestion for the rǒle of the epididymis in sperm development and for the history of sperm after they leave the testis is discussed.

Behavior of Spermatozoa in Plasma

Behavior of Spermatozoa in Plasma