Sperm storage by females across the animal phyla: A survey on the occurrence and biomolecules involved in sperm storage

Abstract

Long‐term sperm storage by females in various regions of the oviduct is documented across many invertebrate and vertebrate species. Although, many reports emphasize on the histology, histochemistry and ultrastructural features of sperm storage, very little is known about the mechanisms underlying the sperm storage. The current review documents the occurrence of sperm storage by females in a wide array of invertebrate and vertebrate species. This review also provides an insight on the presence of various molecular factors of the sperm storage tubules presumably responsible for the prolonged sperm storage with an emphasis on a model reptile, the Indian garden lizard, Calotes versicolor which contains a unique approximately 55‐kDa protein in its utero‐vaginal lavage and found to inhibit washed epididymal sperm motility in a concentration and time‐dependent manner in a reversible fashion.

The surprising complexity and diversity of sperm storage structures across Galliformes

“…Female sperm storage is a widespread phenomenon, occurring in many invertebrates and all major vertebrate groups (Holt & Fazeli, 2016 ; Shankar et al., 2022 ). In species exhibiting sperm storage (as opposed to just sperm longevity), females can store sperm for a few hours to months or even years (Holt & Fazeli, 2016 ; Levine et al., 2021 ; Orr & Zuk, 2012 ).…”

“…Furthermore, 3D imaging of SSTs in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) has identified gate‐like constricted openings that may act to limit the ability of sperm swimming below a certain velocity to enter storage, providing an additional mechanism of selection for high‐quality sperm (Hiyama et al., 2014 ; Ito et al., 2011 ; Mendonca et al., 2019 ). Despite these advances, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which SSTs accept, store/maintain and release sperm (Khillare et al., 2018 ; Sasanami, 2017 ; Shankar et al., 2022 ). We have long known that even among commercial birds selected for consistent and high fertility, sperm storage duration varies greatly.…”

The loss of sperm storage ability in females as a potential driver for increase extinction in Chondrichthyes

“…This strategy is present in most lineages of internally fertilized animals and has been described in several invertebrate phyla and vertebrate groups, including amphibians, cartilaginous shes, ray-nned shes, squamates, reptiles, birds, and mammals (Orr & Brennan, 2018, Holt & Lloyd. 2010, Shankar et al, 2023.…”