Hyperactivation may assist human spermatozoa to detach from intimate association with the endosalpinx

Abstract

The behaviour of human spermatozoa was observed during incubation with epithelial cells isolated from the isthmic and ampullary sections of human uterine (Fallopian) tubes. During incubation, spermatozoa were observed to bind to the epithelial cells of the tube (the endosalpinx), and individual spermatozoa attached and detached at intervals. The kinematic characteristics of spermatozoa during these behaviour patterns were determined. The results showed that detached spermatozoa typically had an increased curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement, accompanied by a decrease in their linearity. Significantly (P < 0.01) more of the detaching spermatozoa were hyperactivated than were spermatozoa prior to attachment for both isthmic (35.3 +/- 5.5 versus 4.0 +/- 3.3%; mean +/- SEM) and ampullary (26.0 +/- 7.0 versus 2.0 +/- 1.4%) regions. Incubation with epithelial cells from either region produced no differences in any category of sperm behaviour. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between regions in the amount of time spermatozoa spent bound (33.6 +/- 12.9 and 20.6 +/- 3.0 s for isthmic and ampullary tissue respectively). These results support the hypothesis that hyperactivation may assist spermatozoa in breaking connections with epithelial cells.

Characterisation of movement pattern and velocities of stallion spermatozoa depending on donor, season and cryopreservation

“…However, the accurate estimation of the fraction of the sperm population exhibiting progressive motility and measurement of their velocities, their ALH, BCF and LIN should provide better information regarding the metabolic activity and fertilising capacity of sperm cells. Spermatozoa require sufficient progressive motility to overcome the barriers of the female reproductive tract to reach the site of fertilisation, and the pattern of sperm movement is associated with the functional competence in the fertilising process (Amelar et al, 1980;Pacey et al, 1995;Suarez, 1996;Yanagimachi, 1994;Bed-Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 51, 2003 ford, 1998). Therefore, the evaluation of sperm motility is an important parameter for the characterisation of semen quality.…”

The sialoglycoconjugates in the oviducts of fertile and postmenopausal women

“…However, we cannot exclude a role of the sialoderivatives in capacitating. In fact it is well known that the sperm capacitating is consequent to the attachment of the sperm to the luminal surface of the oviductal epithelium [31][32][33][34].…”

Coincubation of Human Spermatozoa with Chlamydia trachomatis In Vitro Causes Increased Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Sperm Proteins

“…This is thought to be important for releasing spermatozoa from contact with the endosalpinx of the Fallopian tube (26) and is probably necessary for penetration of the zona pellucida (33). The increased tyrosine phosphorylation observed following incubation with serovar E is interesting and suggests that chlamydial infection might also affect sperm motility due to the localization to the tail.…”