Showing papers on "Sperm published in 1971"
TL;DR: It is suggested that the shape of the sperm head is probably not a consequence of external modeling by pressures applied to the condensing spermatid nucleus by microtubules in the surrounding cytoplasm or by filaments in the ectoplasm of the supporting cell.
445 citations
272 citations
TL;DR: The cytotoxicity test to sperm with antisera directed against a number of systems of mouse alloantigens, but none of these has given a positive reaction with sperm, which is not surprising because these are all “differentiation antigens” expressed primarily on lymphoid cells.
Abstract: WE have recently overcome certain technical difficulties in applying the cytotoxicity test to mouse spermatozoa and have been able to show directly that H-2 antigens are expressed on these cells1, thus confirming less direct evidence leading to the same conclusion2. We have since applied the cytotoxicity test to sperm with antisera directed against a number of other systems of mouse alloantigens, TL3, θ4, Ly-A5 and Ly-B5, but none of these has given a positive reaction with sperm. This is not surprising because these are all “differentiation antigens”6 expressed primarily on lymphoid cells. Another antigenic system which distinguishes one mouse from another is H-Y. The H-Y antigen is carried by male cells only and is responsible for the rejection of male tissues by females of the same inbred strain7.
263 citations
TL;DR: Amounts of Feulgen staining in individual sperm nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster were determined with a scanning microdensitometer and compared with the DNA-Feulgen levels found for hen erythrocyte nuclei, taking as a presumed cytophotometric standard 2.5×10−12 g DNA per cell.
Abstract: Amounts of Feulgen staining in individual sperm nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster were determined with a scanning microdensitometer and compared with the DNA-Feulgen levels found for hen erythrocyte nuclei, taken as a presumed cytophotometric standard of 2.5×10−12 g DNA per cell. Under these conditions, the amount of DNA estimated for the haploid male genome of Drosophila was about 0.18×10−12 g DNA, corresponding to a molecular weight of roughly 11× 1010 daltons. From a comparable series of measurements on Feulgen-stained nuclei of hemocytes and epithelial cells of the imaginal soma, values of approximately 0.35–0.36×10−12 g DNA were estimated for the diploid or 2C male genome of this species.
212 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that denuded rabbit eggs lacking follicular cells (or progesterone) can be fertilized equally as well as intact eggs with cumulus oophorus, and that sperm recovered from the vagina can fertilize rabbit eggs in vitro aswell as those recovered fromThe uterus.
Abstract: RECENTLY shed eggs are surrounded by a sticky mass of follicular cells known as the cumulus oophorus. The follicular cells, which are closely attached to the zona pellucida and are arranged in a compact radial pattern, are called the corona radiata. It has been postulated that the follicular cells in the cumulus oophorus can protect the egg against polyspermic fertilization, and can improve the chance of fertilization by providing a large target for the sperm. Further, due to the radial arrangement of the corona radiata, these follicular cells can act in orientating the sperm towards eggs1. After the dissolution of cumulus oophorus by treatment with hyaluronidase in vitro, however, rabbit eggs can be fertilized when transferred into the tubes of mated rabbits2,3. After the dissolution of cumulus oophorus and removal of the corona radiata by manual shaking, the denuded eggs can also be fertilized in vitro4 or in vivo5,6. A comparison of the proportion of eggs fertilized in vitro between denuded eggs and those with follicular cells intact has not been made. In addition, it has been speculated that the progesterone present in the follicular fluid or synthesized by the granulosa cells may be necessary for the “acrosome reaction”, capacitation of sperm, and the fertilization of eggs in vitro7. The experiment described here demonstrates (1) that denuded rabbit eggs lacking follicular cells (or progesterone) can be fertilized equally as well as intact eggs with cumulus oophorus, and (2) that sperm recovered from the vagina can fertilize rabbit eggs in vitro as well as those recovered from the uterus.
199 citations
TL;DR: In the case of various salt solutions used for testes maceration, inhibition of sperm motility was primarily a function of the ionic strength, however, there was some specificity in the salt employed as KCl and CaCl 2 solutions gave anomalous results in comparison with those obtained with other salt solutions.
175 citations
TL;DR: The data support previous suggestions that pituitary secretion of FSH in men, unlike that of LH, may be regulated by some product of the germinal epithelium rather than by testosterone alone.
Abstract: A group of 17 virile men ages 18–36 with idiopathic oligospermia or idiopathic aspermia had a mean serum FSH concentration (30±5 se μg LER 907/100 ml, immunoassay) significantly higher (p <0.001) than that of 49 normal men of the same age span (10±1) or 3 men with cystic fibrosis (18±1), but significantly lower (p <0.001) than serum FSH in 11 men with the Klinefelter syndrome (114±8). Among the oligoaspermics there was an inverse correlation (p <0.01) between the sperm count and serum FSH concentration. There was no significant difference in mean serum testosterone or LH concentrations among idiopathic oligoaspermics, cystics and normals, but the Klinefelters showed decreased serum testosterone and increased LH. These data support previous suggestions that pituitary secretion of FSH in men, unlike that of LH, may be regulated by some product of the germinal epithelium rather than by testosterone alone.
143 citations
TL;DR: It is postulated that the effect of caffeine on spermatozoan motility and respiration is mediated by one of thecyclic nucleotides, which results in a somewhat unique effect, because sperm activity and sperm life, as judged by motility, are both increased withcaffeineaddition.
Abstract: on ejaculates from bullsdemonstratedthatspermatozoa in the presence of caffeine (6 mM) maintained the initial percentage of motility for at least 4 hr at 37C, whereas in the untreated sperm samples, 50% of sperm that were motile initially became immotile during 4 hr storage. Comparison of bulls yielding semen of original low motility with bulls yielding originally high motilityspermatozoa indicatedthatan immediate stimulation of sperm motilityby caffeine occurred inthelow motilityspecimens (32.2-49.3% motile) but not inthoseofhighmotility. Itispostulated that the effect of caffeine on spermatozoan motility and respiration is mediatedby one ofthecyclic nucleotides. This results in a somewhat unique effect, because sperm activity and sperm life, asjudgedby motility, areboth increasedwithcaffeineaddition.
123 citations
TL;DR: Sperm penetration and fertilization in vitro of tubal eggs could be influenced by spermatozoa or eggs from different strains of mice, and the presence of epididymal extract appeared to inhibit sperm penetration.
Abstract: Mouse eggs recovered from follicles before ovulation and from oviducts at various times after ovulation were inseminated in vitro with epididymal spermatozoa in the presence of heated bovine follicular fluid and examined 8 hr after incubation. The eggs recovered 4 hr before ovulation could be penetrated by spermatozoa and underwent fertilization, but their zona reaction to block further sperm entry was weaker than in eggs recovered 2 hr before, or at various times after, ovulation. The failure of extrusion of polar bodies was observed in a high proportion of ovarian eggs undergoing fertilization. The fertile life of mouse eggs lasted about 10 to 12 hr after ovulation and the failure of transformation of sperm heads as well as the activation of eggs was observed in the aged eggs. Sperm penetration and fertilization in vitro of tubal eggs could be influenced by spermatozoa or eggs from different strains of mice. The presence of epididymal extract appeared to inhibit sperm penetration. The concentration of spermatozoa, the concentration of calcium ions and the pH value of the medium during incubation could all affect the capacitation of mouse spermatozoa and the penetration of mouse eggs in vitro.
118 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the sperm-agglutination and sperm-immobilization activity were measured to determine the presence of sperm antibody activity in the serum of 55 men prior to vasectomy.
107 citations
TL;DR: The results show that adherence of sperm to the zona pellucida is species specific both before and after capacitation, and alters the sperm surface, however, so that it will no longer adhere to trypsin-treated eggs.
Abstract: THE ovum cannot be penetrated by a spermatozoon until the latter undergoes a change termed capacitation1 which, in the golden hamster, can be produced in vitro by incubation in various,body fluids2–4 including serum5 and (β-glucuronidase6. The process involves vesiculation of the plasma membrane with the outer acrosomal membrane7, which in turn seems to release egg-penetrating enzymes and exposes a surface which can fuse with the vitelline membrane of the egg8. As part of a series of investigations on the nature of these surface changes we have studied the effect of proteolytic enzymes on the adherence of sperm to eggs in vitro. Our results show that adherence of sperm to the zona pellucida is species specific both before and after capacitation. Capacitation alters the sperm surface, however, so that it will no longer adhere to trypsin-treated eggs.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The effect of time after insemination on fertility and embryonic loss has been studied for each day’s egg production by direct observation of chicken eggs after 18 days of incubation, showing a significant initial increase in fertility with sperm storage from day I (first day of fertileeggs) to day 3, followed by a few days of high fertility which was then followedby a linear decline through 18 days.
Abstract: The effectof time after insemination on fertility and embryonic loss has been studied for each day’s egg production (60-150 eggs per day) by direct observation of chicken eggs after 18 days of incubation, The resultsshowed a significantinitialincrease in fertilitywith sperm storage from day I (firstday of fertileeggs) to day 3, followed by a few days of high fertility which was then followed by a linear decline through 18 days. Embryonic death was higher initially,reduced to a minimum when fertility was maximum, and increased linearly with increasing age of spermatozoa until fertilitywas reduced to a low level. The effect on fertilityand embryonic loss was influenced significantlyby both the male and female as well as time after insemination, and embryonic loss was negatively related to fertilitylevel of the male. That embryos die at an earlierage due to fertilizationby aged sperm wa s not conclusively confirmed in this study.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The results suggest that antibody, although not directly involved in the production of aspermatogenesis, can produce an acute inflammatory reaction by binding to the sperm in the sperm passage system.
Abstract: Guinea pigs with experimental allergic orchitis show an acute inflammation in the rete testis and epididymis. At these sites anti-sperm antibody is bound to sperm. The role of antibody in the production of disease was investigated. It was found that guinea pigs immunized to sperm antigens in complete Freund9s adjuvant have autoantibodies in serum which bind in in vitro tests to the surface membrane of immature and mature sperm cells. The anti-sperm antibody when injected into normal guinea pigs, either systemically or in the interstitium of the testis, binds to sperm inside the rete testis and produces a mild acute inflammatory reaction at that site. Also, 125 I-labeled IgG from normal guinea pigs when injected into the testis can cross the wall of the rete testis into the lumen. Anti-sperm antibody and normal Ig, on the other hand, do not appear to penetrate the seminiferous tubules. The main barrier for the crossing of Ig into the seminiferous tubules may be the layer of cells external to the basement membrane. Thus, antibodies to basement membrane injected locally do not bind to the tubular basement membranes. Hence, the results suggest that antibody, although not directly involved in the production of aspermatogenesis, can produce an acute inflammatory reaction by binding to the sperm in the sperm passage system.
TL;DR: A bioassay utilizing the gametes of Xenopus laevis was developed for use in isolating sperm capacitating factor(s) present in jelly coat material, suggesting a stoichiometric relation between the added factor and the spermatozoa present.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Hop-sterile (hop) is a new mutation in the mouse, the effects of which include complete male sterility, a 'hopping' gait and preaxial polydactyly of all feet.
Abstract: SUMMARY Hop-sterile (hop) is a new mutation in the mouse, the effects of which include complete male sterility, a 'hopping' gait and preaxial polydactyly of all feet. Ultrastructural studies of spermiogenesis show that sperm tails are absent or highly modified. Second meiotic division is frequently abnormal or incomplete, often with four centrioles per cell. These centrioles usually fail to form fiagella and sperm tail development is arrested.
TL;DR: The addition of sodium succinate to whole semen did not significantly increase the oxygen consumption of the sperm while the respiratory activity of washed spermatozoa was increased 2 to 3 times by the succinate.
TL;DR: In this paper, male Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed to feed freely until 10 weeks of age and then were restricted to 50% of the ad libitum food intake of controls for 8 or 23 weeks.
Abstract: SummaryMale Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed to feed freely until 10 weeks of age and then were restricted to 50% of the ad libitum food intake of controls for 8 or 23 weeks. Serum testosterone, determined by gas-liquid chromatography, decreased during the first 8 weeks of food restriction to 31% of that in full-fed controls, but then rebounded to control levels following another 15 weeks of semistarvation. Similarly, weights and secretory activities of accessory reproductive organs declined during the first 8 weeks and increased during the last 15 weeks of food restriction. When allowed to refeed for 3 weeks following 20 weeks of semistarvation, serum testosterone rose to 3.0 ng/ml, twice the 1.5 ng/ml in fully fed controls and three times the 1.2 ng/ml for chronically semistarved rats at the same age.The complete absence of food from previously full-fed rats for 6 days lowered testosterone levels to undetectable quantities.Absolute weights of testes and epididymides and their concentration of sperm (per...
TL;DR: The typical eupyrene and atypical apyrene cycles of sperm differentiation in Bombyx mori were studied, with special attention to centriole number and behavior, confirming the previous findings that insect sperm has one centrioles at the base of the flagellum.
Abstract: The typical eupyrene and atypical apyrene cycles of sperm differentiation in Bombyx mori were studied, with special attention to centriole number and behavior. Contrary to other reports, there is always only one centriole in the differentiating and in the mature sperm, thus confirming our previous findings that insect sperm has one centriole at the base of the flagellum, in contrast to two centrioles found in many other groups of animals. This numerical difference is discussed in an evolutionary context.
TL;DR: It is concluded that techniques involving micoragglUTinations and macroagglutinations in gelatin medium can detect different types of sperm agglutinins.
Abstract: Human sperm agglutinating sera have shown different patterns in their reactions. Some were active in the Franklin and Dukes (F and D) test only some were active in the Kibrick test only and some were active by both techniques. Sera of each type were fractionated by zone electrophoresis gel filtration in Sephadex G200 and by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose. Those positive only in the F and D test were shown to have sperm agglutinins which were nonimmunoglobulins. The only sperm antibodies able to produce agglutination in the F and D test were the IgG class. Sera which reacted in the Kibrick test seemed to have sperm agglutinins which were immunoglobulins. The agglutinins had a high molecular weight and the electrophoretic mobility of beta-globulin. None of the human sera with sperm agglutinating immunoglobulins agglutinated glutaraldehyde-treated fresh sheep red blood cells coated with seminal plasma. This suggested that these sera contained antibodies directed against spermatozoa rather than against seminal plasma components. It is concluded that techniques involving micoragglutinations and macroagglutinations in gelatin medium can detect different types of sperm agglutinins.
TL;DR: In this paper, biochemical changes in the zona pellucida at the time of fertilization were found to indicate a change in the solubility in mercaptoethanol and susceptibility to digestion by trypsin.
Abstract: The presence of protein in the zona pellucida of the mouse and rabbit ovum has been established by removal of the zona with Pronase (1) and trypsin (2, 3). The zona pellucida of the mouse (4-6), rat and rabbit was shown to be more resistant to digestion by trypsin after fertilization than before (2). Sialic acid has been demonstrated in the zona pellucida of the rabbit ovum (7) and treatment of rabbit ova with bacterial neuraminidase reduced the number of penetrating sperm (8). The vitelline coat of invertebrate ova can be dissolved with cysteine or mercaptoethanol (9, 10). The zona pellucida is the analogous layer in mammalian ova and is also soluble in dilute mercaptoethanol solutions. The sperm acrosome contains various enzymes, such as a trypsin-like enzyme (TLE) (11, 12), a neuraminidase (13), an enzyme that disperses the corona radiata (CPE) (14), and hyaluronidase. The present study concerns biochemical changes in the zona pellucida at the time of fertilization as indicated by a change in the solubility of the zona pellucida in mercaptoethanol and by a change in susceptibility to digestion by trypsin. These changes occur at the time of fertilization and are induced in unfertilized ova by treatment with preparations of certain sperm acrosomal enzymes. Materials and Methods. Preparation of zona pellucida solutions for protein estimation and electrophoresis. Mature New Zealand white rabbits were superovulated by four subcutaneous injections of 0.25 ml of FSH (Armour) at 12-hr intervals, followed by an intravenous injection of 125 units of HCG 12 hr after the last injection of FSH. Ova were flushed from the oviducts 12 hr after administration of HCG and suspended in sterile physiological saline. The cumulus and corona layers were removed by agitation, and the ova were washed with 1 to 2 ml of either physiological saline or glass distilled water.
TL;DR: In the hen, spermatozoa labelled with inorganic 32 P were recovered from the infundibulum within one hour after intravaginal insemination but no literature was found concerning the rapidity of sperm transport.
TL;DR: Since the introduction of the concept of capacitation, studies utilizing light and electron microscopy have failed to show alterations in sperm structure following incubation in the rabbit uterus for periods up to 15 hr, a length of time sufficient to accomplish capacitation.
Abstract: Since the introduction of the concept of capacitation, numerous investigators have attempted to define the changes that spermatozoa undergo in the female reproductive tract. Studies utilizing light and electron microscopy have failed to show alterations in sperm structure following incubation in the rabbit uterus for periods up to 15 hr, a length of time sufficient to accomplish capacitation (Bedford, 1970). The loss of tetracycline fluorescence from spermatozoa in the oestrous uterus has been suggested as an indicator ofcapacitation (Ericsson, 1967), but it has since been shown conclusively that this theory can no longer be considered tenable (Vaidya, Bedford, Glass & Morris, 1969). Changes in the net negative surface charge of rabbit spermatozoa during
TL;DR: The present report on frequent phagocytosis of abnormal spermatozoa in the efferent ductules of a bull adds material to the discussion on sperm elimination in the male genital ducts.
Abstract: Sperm counts from different levels of the male ducts have suggested a selective removal of abnormal spermatozoa in the epididymis (Orgebin-Crist, 1964; LeRoy-Gilette, 1966; Roussel, Stallcup & Austin, 1967). Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by epithelial cells, however, has rarely been reported (Nicander, 1963) except in cases of epididymal obstruction (cf. Orgebin-Crist, 1969). The present report on frequent phagocytosis of abnormal spermatozoa in the efferent ductules of a bull adds material to the discussion on sperm elimination in the male genital ducts. The bull was of the Swedish Red and White Breed, 15 months old and purchased as normal. It had served a few times and produced offspring. During 2 months' stay at the clinic, its semen picture was within the normal limits given by Lagerl\l=o"\f(1934), though the percentage of pathological heads was close to the upper limit (Table 1). After death, material for light and electron microscopy and for chemical investigation (Crabo, 1965) was obtained from testes and epididymides. Sperm morphology was studied quantitatively after fixation in formol saline (Hancock, 1957). Other methods which were used are shown in the tables and legends, and microscope findings in Plate 1. Table 2 shows that the sample from the rete testis contained a high percentage of detached sperm heads, most of which had disappeared before the proximal part of the epididymal duct was reached. Electron microscopy of the efferent ductules produced ample evidence of epithelial phagocytosis of broken spermatozoa. Sperm heads and tails in different stages of disintegration were common in the cytoplasm of some nonciliated cells. The possibility that some intact spermatozoa were also phagocytosed could not be excluded. Abnormal sperm heads were numerous in the rete testis and caput epididymidis (see Rao, 1971). Their number decreased in the corpus epididymidis, but selective epithelial phagocytosis of such sperma¬ tozoa could not be demonstrated. A decrease in the percentage ofabnormal sperm heads in the efferent ductules and epididymal ducts ofbulls was also observed by Rao (1971). The numbers ofdetached heads in the rete testis of the present bull
TL;DR: In the present study, vaginal spermatozoa were killed at 2 or 5 min after coitus by instillation of 12 to 16 ml of 1% lauryl sulphate (sodium dodecyl sulphate) into the anterior vagina.
Abstract: Fluids instilled into the rabbit vagina are prevented from passing further along the tract by the valve-like disposition of the uterine cervix. In the present study, vaginal spermatozoa were killed at 2 or 5 min after coitus by instillation of 12 to 16 ml of 1% lauryl sulphate (sodium dodecyl sulphate) into the anterior vagina. When the vaginal spermatozoa were killed 2 min after a single mating, only 25% of eggs
TL;DR: The results clearly indicate that the secretion of rete testis fluid can be independent of the release of spermatozoa from the germinal epithelium.
Abstract: Fluid was collected from the cannulated rete testis of six conscious Merino rams whose testes were heated to 40\m=.\5\s=deg\C for 3 hr. Rate of fluid flow dropped during heating but recovered thereafter; there were 100to 10,000-fold decreases in sperm concentration which appeared to be biphasic. The timing supported the suggestion that heating had affected pachytene spermatocytes and division of type-B spermatogonia. The concentration of sodium, potassium, lactic acid, chloride, protein and testosterone in the fluid was unrelated to the number ofspermatozoa present but above 20\m=x\106 spermatozoa/ml the concentration of inositol and glutamic acid appeared to be positively correlated with sperm number. Below this sperm concentration, small amounts of glucose appeared in some samples of fluid. The results clearly indicate that the secretion of rete testis fluid can be independent ofthe release ofspermatozoa from the germinal epithelium.
TL;DR: Gametogenesis has been studied in four cirratulid polychaetes: Caulleriella caput-esocis, Tharyx marioni, Cirriformia tentaculata and Cirratulus cirratus, finding that there is a well-defined annual cycle in the development of sperm.
Abstract: Gametogenesis has been studied in four cirratulid polychaetes: Caulleriella caput-esocis, Tharyx marioni, Cirriformia tentaculata and Cirratulus cirratus.In all four species, sperm development follows a similar course of events, with the sperm cells being grouped in spheres and then platelets before developing tails to give rosettes which finally disintegrate to release the active spermatozoa. Except in Cirratulus, there is a well-defined annual cycle in the development of sperm.Oogenesis in Caulleriella and Cirriformia is similar in that the growth curve of the oocytes is roughly sigmoid. In Tharyx the release of the oocytes to the coelom is delayed and discrete ovaries are formed, only the later stages of oocyte growth taking place within the coelom. In contrast to the above three species, oogenesis in Cirratulus does not show an annual cycle.Maturation of the oocytes within the coelom prior to shedding has been established in Tharyx, Cirratulus and Cirriformia. In the former two species meiosis proceeds as far as the metaphase I stage and in the latter to the anaphase I stage, before the oocytes are released. Fertilizations were achieved only with oocytes which had matured in all three species. In the fourth species, Caulleriella, no fertile oocytes were discovered.The diameters of the mature oocytes and the main spawning seasons of the four species at Plymouth are as follows: Caulleriella, about 110 μ (August to October); Tharyx, 200– 220 μ (late October to early November); Cirriformia, about 117 μ (late June to early July); Cirratulus, 135–150 μ (throughout the year).
TL;DR: X-irradiation and fluorochrome conjugation were utilized to show possible mechanisms of selective fertilization with reference to sperm transport and viability in the female rabbits reproductive tract and suggest preferential removal of one sperm population by phagocytosis in the oestrous uterus.
Abstract: X-irradiation and fluorochrome conjugation were utilized to show possible mechanisms of selective fertilization with reference to sperm transport and viability in the female rabbits reproductive tract. Aliquots of semen from 3 Albino and 1 Dutch belted bucks were treated either with 6000R at 500R/min or were conjugated with FITC (fluorescein isothiocynate). Each buck contributed both treated and untreated semen to a single experiment. Equal proportions of treated and untreated semen were inseminated intravaginally into 36 does intratubally into 12 does and some sperm samples (12 does) were incubated in the uteri of other does prior to insemination. Ovulation was assumed to occur following intravenous injection of 25 I.U. of human gonadotropin at the time of intratubal or intravaginal insemination or 13 hours before the intratubal insemination of uterine-incubated sperm. Eggs recovered from 4 does inseminated with X-irradiated sperm showed arrest in development at 2 cleavage divisions. FITC treatment did not appear to decrease motility greater than that caused by handling. Intravaginal insemination of irradiated sperm showed its inferiority in fertilizing eggs compared with controls. Eggs from intravaginal FITC spermatozoa showed consistently higher penetration by untreated sperm although FITC sperm always penetrated at least 1 egg. In the experiments sperm from 1 buck proved consistently inferior. Intratubal insemination did not raise the level of fertilization achieved by the inferior buck (irradiated or conjugated sperm). Mixed litters did not result when his sperm was paired with a superior buck. A higher motility especially by 13 hours after insemination for the inferior buck is suggested both in the uterus and in the oviduct. Possible preferential removal of one sperm population by phagocytosis in the oestrous uterus is suggested. An advantage in the rate of penetration of the granulosa cell investmentthe zona pellucida and/or vitelline membrane is suggested for the superior buck.
TL;DR: The total number of spermatozoa recovered from the vagina was significantly increased (p less than .001) with ligation and the recovery of intact spermutozoa from vaginae was significantly decreased in ewes whose estrous cycles were regulated.
Abstract: At the Beltsville Agricultrue Center in Maryland an experiment was carried out to determine if drainage is a major cause of sperm cell loss in ewes and how the use of progestogen-impregnated sponges affects sperm cell loss. Parous ewes 8 years of age were employed in the study. In the experimental group sponges impregnated with 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) were left in the vaginae for the interval Days 8-25 postestrus. 45 hours after removal of the sponges these ewes were inseminated with .25 ml of fresh ram semen. Control ewes were inseminated while in natural estrus. In 1/2 of each group to prevent the loss of sperm cells by drainage the reproductive tract was ligated at the vulvovaginal junction at the time of insemination. Sacrifice in both groups was 1 day after insemination. The total number of spermatozoa recovered from the vagina was significantly increased (p less than .001) with ligation. The recovery of intact spermatozoa from vaginae was significantly decreased in ewes whose estrous cycles were regulated (p less than .005 for ewes with open tracts p less than .01 for those with closed tracts). The ratio of tailless to intact spermatozoa in vaginae was generally higher in regulated than in cyclic ewes (p less than .001 with closed tracts p equals .10 with open tracts).
TL;DR: Inhibition of spermatozoal attachment to ova was caused also by oviductal secretions and concentrated media from culture of reproductive tissues from female rabbits isoimmunized with semen.
Abstract: The in vitro effects of different normal and immune sera rabbit oviductal fluid and culture media from incubations of female reproductive tissues on the adherence of rabbit spermatozoa to rabbit and rat ova is described. There were no apparent differences in results due to species of ova. Adherence of spermatozoa to ova was not affected by treatment with normal sera. Antisera against materials that contained spermatozoa such as semen epididymal spermatozoa and testis completely inhibited the spermatozoa from attaching to ova and caused considerable agglutination of sperm cells in the incubation slides. When the agglutinating and immobilizing activities of rabbit and goat antisera were removed by papain treatment the antiadherent effect of the antisera was unaffected. Oviductal secretions and concentrated media from the culture of reproductive tissue from female rabbits isoimmunized with semen inhibited adherence of sperm.