Intraperitoneal Insemination and Retrograde Sperm Transport in Dairy Cows

Abstract

To examine the efficiency of retrograde sperm transport following intraperitoneal insemination, live and dead spermatozoa were used at different concentrations, and sperm recovery from cervical mucus (0.5 ml) 2, 6, 12 and 24 h following insemination was evaluated. Forty lactating Friesian cows, in their second to fourth lactation period, were used in this experiment. Thirty-six cows received intraperitoneally either live or dead spermatozoa. Each group of six cows received one of three total sperm numbers of 30, 45 and 90 million. Four cows were inseminated with 90 million spermatozoa into the uterus and served as a control group. All cows were inseminated towards the end of oestrus. After intrauterine insemination sperm recovery declined, but motile and/or immotile spermatozoa were recovered from all cows at any time. In cows inseminated intraperitoneally, sperm was recovered from the cervix at 6-24 h when 90 million were inseminated. A greater number of spermatozoa was recovered after dead rather than after live sperm inseminations. Only immotile, intact or broken spermatozoa and tail-less heads were recovered after intraperitioneal insemination using either live or dead spermatozoa. No sperm was recovered for 30 and 45 million inseminations. Our results show that, following intraperitoneal insemination, there is passive sperm transport from the peritoneal cavity to the genital tract close to the time of ovulation, and suggest a higher sperm retention in the genital tract when live as opposed to dead spermatozoa are used.

The impact of timing of insemination in relation to ovulation on the cycle pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination and intrauterine tuboperitoneal insemination in unexplained infertility

“…The results of Lopez-Gatius and Yaniz (31) showed that following intraperitoneal insemination, there was passive sperm transport from the peritoneal cavity to the genital tract close to the time of ovulation, and suggested higher sperm retention in the genital tract when live as opposed to dead spermatozoa.…”

Anomalous Pregnancies during Late Embryonic/Early Foetal Period in High Producing Dairy Cows

“…A possible explanation could be transuterine migration of the embryo, although the physiological mechanism for this is unknown. Transperitoneal migration of the oocyte cannot be precluded (First 1954), as live or dead spermatozoa may also reach the tubular genital organs from the peritoneal cavity (López‐Gatius and Yániz 2000). The fact that all pregnancies were lost is consistent with earlier findings (unpublished) in which 14 contralateral gestations out of a total of 10 605 pregnancies diagnosed within a reproductive control programme were lost before 90 days of gestation.…”

Peritoneal fluid as an unrecognised vector between female reproductive tissues

“…Even when tightly embraced by the fimbriated extremities during estrus, a film of peritoneal fluid could be in contact with the gonad due to surface tension. This assertion receives strong support from the experimental approach of intra‐peritoneal insemination in domestic animals in which the highest levels of fertility were recorded with insemination shortly before the time of ovulation (15, 33). The sperm suspension would have gained the Fallopian tube(s) in a film of fluid propelled by the activity of dense tracts of cilia.…”