Morphology, Motility and Fertility of Spermatozoa Recovered From Different Areas of Ligated Rabbit Epididymides

Abstract

Forty-three males were divided into three experimental groups and ligatures placed unilaterally as follows: (1) on the ductus deferens, (2) on the ductus deferens and corpus epididymidis, and (3) on the ductus deferens, corpus epididymidis and ductuli efferentes. Semen was collected six times a week from all males before ligation and for as long as 12 weeks thereafter. Spermatozoa transported normally from the caput to the cauda epididymidis in non-ligated controls were characterized by rapid migration of the protoplasmic droplets, a decrease in swollen acrosomes and other abnormalities, an increase in the percentage of motile cells and a striking increase in fertility. Ligation of the ductus deferens only had little effect upon any of these changes. Also, considerable motility and fertility was maintained for 12 weeks following single ligation in contrast to a reduction after 4 weeks in the group with the isolated cauda epididymidis. This suggests that considerable mixing of spermatozoa normally can occur in the cauda. The proportion of abnormal forms, particularly decapitated spermatozoa, increased considerably in the isolated cauda by 8 weeks. In the isolated caput abnormal spermatozoa increased rapidly and motility decreased. The protoplasmic droplet movement was delayed, as 54% had droplets on the midpiece after 4 weeks in contrast with 16% on spermatozoa which migrated normally to the cauda. Severe degeneration and disappearance of spermatozoa followed after 4 weeks, indicating that the caput may have dissolution properties. Litter size, based on all does inseminated, averaged only 0\m=.\5for caput spermatozoa compared with 5\m=.\0for both caudal and ejaculated spermatozoa. The morphological and fertility data indicate that extrinsic factors as well as intrinsic ones are required for complete development of the fertilizing capacity of rabbit spermatozoa.

Structural Modification of the Black Bengal Buck (Capra hircus) Acrosome During Post-testicular Maturation of Spermatozoa

“…These successive changes alter the morphology of the spermatozoon, so that their properties and functions are also modified while they move along the excurrent ducts (Briz et al, 1995). Some of the distinctive structural changes during spermatozoal maturation are condensation of acrosome (Fawcett & Hollenberg;Bedford, 1964;Bedford & Nicander;Paüfler & Foote, 1968;Hamilton, 1972;Jones et al, 1974;Jones, 1975;Hanks, 1977), reduction in the acrosomal size (Bedford, 1965) as well as loss of the acrosomal components (Holt, 1980). Significant decreases in the dimensional characters of the AC from the epididymal segments in the Black Bengal buck are also consistent with the above findings.…”

Effects of duct ligation and orchidectomy on histochemical reactions in the hamster epididymis

“…Cytological changes have not been clearly demonstrated after occlusion of the epididymis, although in rabbits the epithelial cells lining the duct become flattened above the site of occlusion (Glover, 1962) and regressive changes in the incarcerated spermatozoa are well documented (Glover, 1962;Orgebin-Crist, 1969;Paufler & Foote, 1969). The effect of epididymal ligation on the function of the lining epithelium will presumably differ from that of efferent ductule ligation, because in the former case spermatozoa, together with rete testis fluid and its contained androgen, will continue to enter the duct, whilst in the other they are prevented from doing so.…”

The fertilizing capacity of epididymal spermatozoa in the pig

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In all mammals studied so far, with the possible exception of man, it has been shown that sperm cells emerging from the testis have to pass through at least part of the epididymis before they acquire the ability to fertilize (Bedford, Calvin & Cooper, 1973;Bedford, 1974).The literature regarding the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa collected from different segments of the epididymis in laboratory animals has been summarized by Paufler & Foote (1968) and Orgebi n\x=req-\ Crist (1969). Little information is available for the large domestic species although bulls have been successfully inseminated with spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis (Lardy & Ghosh, 1952;Barker, 1954;Igboeli & Foote, 1968).

The present experiments were therefore conducted to examine the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa from different regions of the epididymis in the domestic pig.

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“…The literature regarding the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa collected from different segments of the epididymis in laboratory animals has been summarized by Paufler & Foote (1968) and Orgebi n\x=req-\ Crist (1969). Little information is available for the large domestic species although bulls have been successfully inseminated with spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis (Lardy & Ghosh, 1952;Barker, 1954;Igboeli & Foote, 1968).…”