A critical review of the physiological importance and analysis of sperm movement in mammals

Abstract

The identification of human sperm hyperactivated motility has potential importance in sperm function tests, as well as in quality control assays and in reproductive toxicology investigations. However, relatively little is known about this phenomenon and the variety of definitions used for hyperactivation has led to a great deal of confusion as to its occurrence and physiological relevance. This presentation is a critical review of a number of aspects of hyperactivated motility, including its identification and potential role(s) in mammalian fertilization. The initial sections of the review consider the mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of mammalian sperm motility, and the structural and functional changes in spermatozoa which occur during transport through the female reproductive tract. The methods available for the quantification of aspects of sperm movement are also discussed, with an historical overview of sperm movement analysis.

A Stimulatory Approach for in Vitro Activation of Human Sperm Motility by Using Theophylline.

“…After being activation of semen sample by SpermMobil dilution for both groups as a compared without activation, result in highly significant increase in progressive sperm motility and this result was in agreement with Ebner et al (12) , who reported the addition of (GM501 SpermMobil) led to increase in fast progressive sperm motility in minutes, best result of sperm motion was attributed to the useful components of SpermMobil dilution , a combination of (GM501 SpermMobil and FertiCult Medium). Mortimer (13) ., Proved sperm hyperactivation in vitro is occurred when sperm suspended in a CM having bicarbonate, exogenous calcium ions, energy source like glucose and serum albumin; SpermMobil dilution contains all these components and Theophylline with essential and non-essential amino acid.…”

Sexual Maturation in Common Vole (<I>Microtus arvalis</I>) Males Raised under Laboratory Conditions

“…Spermatozoa in these age groups probably have the best chance to "win the race" towards the ovum. Sperm cell progressive movement is caused by the tail and is necessary to move towards the ovum for fertilization to take place (MORTIMER 1997). Sperm motility depends mainly on tail membrane properties (VETTER et al 1998).…”

Human sperm pattern of movement during chemotactic re-orientation towards a progesterone source

“…Sperm dynamic changes were evaluated by measuring three sperm parameters: 22,23 (i) curvilinear velocity (VCL), which is equivalent to the curvilinear distance (DCL) that is travelled by the spermatozoon divided by the time (VCL5DCL/t); (ii) linearity (LIN), which is equal to the linear velocity (VSL) divided by the curvilinear velocity (LIN5VSL/VCL), wherein VSL is the linear distance divided by the time (LIN values range from 0 to 1, representing an erratic or straight track, respectively); and (iii) wobble (WOB), which is defined as the average path velocity (VAP) divided by the curvilinear velocity (WOB5VAP/VCL) (WOB values vary from 0 (erratic track) to 1 (straight trajectory)). As an internal control, the proportion of chemotactic spermatozoa was determined for each sample, as previously described.…”