A glimpse at sperm function in vivo: sperm transport and epithelial interaction in the female reproductive tract

Scott, M. A.

doi:10.1016/s0378-4320(00)00130-5

Cited by 85 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…During mating, an increase in mechanical and electrical activity of the uterus is expected due to the arrival of spermatozoa. An increase in this type is responsible for rapid sperm transport towards the uterine tube after mating; the increased contractility of the myometrium is associated with intraluminal pressure to allow sperm migration and establishment of reservoirs (Scott, 2000). Since this process may take from 1.5 to 6 h, the moment when uterine activity was measured (1 h after mating) was probably inappropriate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This reservoir enables the storage of a selected and privileged sperm population that eventually becomes capacitated in a time dependent fashion . In the rabbit doe, the sperm reservoir (vagina, cervix and uterus) may store subpopulations of motile spermatozoa until 16 h after mating (Scott, 2000). Hyperactivation, characteristic of capacitated spermatozoa, enables the spermatozoa to separate from tube epithelial cells and penetrate the zona pellucida; an increase in intracellular concentration of Ca 2+ may accelerate sperm release (Suarez, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of electrical and mechanical activities of rabbit uterus associated with the presence of capacitated and non-capacitated spermatozoa

2013

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To investigate the effects capacitated spermatozoa may exert upon motility of the rabbit uterus, both contractility and electrical activity (frequency and intensity) were measured in 3 distinctive uterine segments of anaesthetized does: horn (UH), uterotubal junction (UTJ) and tube (UT) after 1) natural mating, 2) infusion of either seminal plasma or PBS, 3) infusion of either capacitated or non-capacitated spermatozoa. Basal values were: 17.1, 15.7, 16.4 g (contractility, P>0.05); 3.5, 3.5, 3.4 Hz (frequency, P>0.05); 0.49, 0.50, 0.57 μV (intensity, P>0.05) for UH, UTJ, UT, respectively. Seminal plasma caused an increase (P<0.05) in the UH contractility: 26.3 vs. 11.7 (natural mating) and 17.0 g (PBS); it also caused a decrease (P<0.05) in electrical intensity at the UTJ: 0.24 vs. 0.67 (natural mating) and 0.58 µV (PBS). The presence of either capacitated or non-capacitated spermatozoa caused no changes in contractility and electrical frequency in any of the uterine segments. However, there was a change in electrical intensity at UTJ (0.37 vs. 0.57 μV for non-capacitated and capacitated spermatozoa, respectively; P<0.05). There were also differences between segments by treatment: UTJ (0.37) vs. UT (0.59 µV) for non-capacitated; UH (0.46) vs. UT (0.71 µV) for capacitated spermatozoa (P<0.05). In conclusion, use of this experimental model showed that uterine electrical activity was slightly modified by the presence of capacitated spermatozoa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of electrical and mechanical activities of rabbit uterus associated with the presence of capacitated and non-capacitated spermatozoa

2013

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“…Figure 2 illustrates some of the key points of the path of the spermatozoa to the fertilization site in the female reproductive tract. Numerous checkpoints can be found that are believed to impede sperm cells to reach the oocyte, but also represent a selection procedure that ensures that only the most fertile spermatozoa reach the fertilization site [10]. In general, the sperm cells are hostile to the female body and several defense mechanisms exist that keep the vast number of spermatozoa from reaching the egg cell.…”

Section: Spermbots For Assisted In Vivo Reproduction Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This area is very difficult to study and hence only little is known about the further journey of the sperm cells. However, it is thought that only few sperm cells are left at this stage [10] and that the sperm cells are guided through the ampulla by chemotaxis and thermotaxis to the oocyte location. At this stage, a crucial preparation step for fertilization takes place: capacitation.…”

Section: Spermbots For Assisted In Vivo Reproduction Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Spermbots: potential impact for drug delivery and assisted reproductive technologies

Magdanz

Schmidt

2014

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery

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Micromotors and nanomotors are an emerging research field that aims at achieving locomotion on the microscale for a variety of applications such as drug delivery, single cell manipulation, microsensors and lab-on-achip devices, just to point out a few. The enthusiastic development of hybrid micromotors harnessing biological power sources for physiologically compatible nano/microdevices has recently brought a lot of attention to the international research community that is looking for a solution for the actuation and locomotion on the microscale. This article describes the potential of spermdriven micro-bio-robots in the biomedical field such as drug delivery or single cell manipulation. Herein, a specific potential of the sperm-driven micro-biorobot is described that might have impact on the development of assisted reproductive technologies.

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“…Rapid transport of a small number of spermatozoa through the female tract into the peritoneal cavity following mating has been described in several species, but not in the mare (Phillips and Andrews 1937, VanDemark and Moeller 1951, Overstreet and Cooper 1978. However, spermatozoa have been identified in the oviduct already within 1 hour after insemination, and sperm transport is thought to be completed within 4 hours after breeding (Bader 1982;Brinsko et al 1990, 1991, Scott et al 1994, Scott 2000. Although spermatozoa actively participate in the transport through the female reproductive tract, contractions of the myometrium and myosalpinx may be more important in regulating the transport of spermatozoa to the site of fertilization (Katila et al 2000).…”

Section: Uterine Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction between spermatozoa and the mare’s reproductive is mediated by biochemical, physical, and inflammatory mechanisms

Troedsson¹

2006

PHK

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SummarySperm transport and elimination from the mare's reproductive tract are important components of the events that lead to fertilization and successful development of an embryo. Following deposition of semen into the uterine body, viable spermatozoa are transported to the oviduct by a combination of sperm motility, uterine contractility, and epithelial cilia activity. This process is facilitated by the release of oxytocin from the pituitary, as well as prostaglandins and estrogen in seminal plasma. The myoelectrical activity in the uterus shows a two-wave pattern following AI. The first immediate phase of contractions is believed to be involved in both sperm transport to the oviduct, and elimination of excess spermatozoa through the cervix. The second phase of contractions coincides with an inflammatory response to spermatozoa. The inflammation is an important physiological component of sperm elimination from the mare's reproductive tract. It is regulated by seminal components. Spermatozoa activate complement in uterine secretion, resulting in chemotaxis of PMNs into the uterine lumen. The PMNs bind to spermatozoa that consequently are removed from the uterus by phagocytosis. Inflammatory mediators, such as PGF2α, cause contraction of the myometrium, and residual spermatozoa, accumulated fluid, and harmful inflammatory products are removed by this second wave of uterine contractions. Once these products are removed from the uterine lumen, the inflammation subsides and the uterine environment returns to its normal state. Specific seminal plasma proteins modulate breeding-induced endometritis, and appear to selectively protect viable spermatozoa from binding to PMNs.Keywords: mare, post-breeding-endometritis, uterine clearance, spermatozoa, inseminate components Der Einfluss von biochemischen, physikalischen und entzündlichen Mechanismen bei den Interaktionen zwischen Spermatozoen und dem Genitaltrakt der Stute Der Transport der Spermien und ihre Elimination aus dem Stutengenitale stellen wichtige Komponenten innerhalb der Vorgänge dar, die zur Konzeption und zur erfolgreichen Entwicklung des Embryos führen. Nach dem Verbringen des Samens in die Gebärmutter werden lebensfähige Spermatozoen in die Eileiter transportiert. Dies geschieht durch eine Kombination von Spermienmotilität, uterinen Kontraktionen und epithelialer Zilienaktivität. Dieser Prozess wird unterstützt durch die Oxytocinfreisetzung aus der Hypophyse sowie durch Prostaglandine und Östrogen im Seminalplasma. Die myoelektrische Aktivität des Uterus weist nach der instrumentellen Samenübertragung eine zweifache Wellenbewegung auf. Die erste, sofort einsetzende Kontraktionsphase ist vermutlich sowohl beim Spermientransport in den Eileiter als auch bei der Elimination überschüssiger Spermatozoen durch die Zervix involviert. Die zweite Phase der Kontraktionen trifft mit der Entzündungsreaktion auf die Spermatozoen zusammen. Die Entzündung ist ein wichtiger physiologischer Bestandteil bei der Spermienelimination aus dem Stutengeniale. Sie wird durch die ...

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A glimpse at sperm function in vivo: sperm transport and epithelial interaction in the female reproductive tract

Cited by 85 publications

References 44 publications

Characterization of electrical and mechanical activities of rabbit uterus associated with the presence of capacitated and non-capacitated spermatozoa

Characterization of electrical and mechanical activities of rabbit uterus associated with the presence of capacitated and non-capacitated spermatozoa

Spermbots: potential impact for drug delivery and assisted reproductive technologies

Interaction between spermatozoa and the mare’s reproductive is mediated by biochemical, physical, and inflammatory mechanisms

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