The ultrastructural characteristics of the spermatozoa stored in the cauda epididymidis in Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis during the breeding season

Xin-min, Bian; Gandahi, Jameel Ahmed; Liu, Yue; Yang, Ping; Yi, Lunzhao; Zhang, Linli; Zhou, Qian; Chen, Qiusheng

doi:10.1016/j.micron.2012.06.010

Cited by 29 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Immature spermatozoa were then transferred into the epididymis and stored there until the following May (Bian et al. 2013a). After mating during the period from June to August, the spermatozoa were stored in the oviduct, waiting to fertilize eggs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

Chen

Zhang

Yuan

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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Spermatozoa are known to be stored within the female genital tract after mating in various species to optimize timing of reproductive events such as copulation, fertilization, and ovulation. The mechanism supporting long-term sperm storage is still unclear in turtles. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between the spermatozoa and oviduct in Chinese soft-shelled turtle by light and electron microscopy to reveal the potential cytological mechanism of long-term sperm storage. Spermatozoa were stored in isthmus, uterine, and vagina of the oviduct throughout the year, indicating long-term sperm storage in vivo. Sperm heads were always embedded among the cilia and even intercalated into the apical hollowness of the ciliated cells in the oviduct mucosal epithelium. The stored spermatozoa could also gather in the gland conduit. There was no lysosome distribution around the hollowness of the ciliated cell, suggesting that the ciliated cells of the oviduct can support the spermatozoa instead of phagocytosing them in the oviduct. Immune cells were sparse in the epithelium and lamina propria of oviduct, although few were found inside the blood vessel of mucosa, which may be an indication of immune tolerance during sperm storage in the oviduct of the soft-shelled turtle. These characteristics developed in the turtle benefited spermatozoa survival for a long time as extraneous cells in the oviduct of this species. These findings would help to improve the understanding of reproductive regularity and develop strategies of species conservation in the turtle. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle may be a potential model for uncovering the mechanism behind the sperm storage phenomenon.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

Chen

Zhang

Yuan

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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“…The sections were examined and photographed using a transmission electron microscope H‐7650 (Bian et al. ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ultrathin sections (50 nm) were mounted on Formvar-coated grids and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate for 20 min per step. The sections were examined and photographed using a transmission electron microscope H-7650 (Bian et al 2013a).…”

Section: Transmission Electron Microscopy (Tem)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression of TLR2/4 in the sperm‐storing oviduct of the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis during hibernation season

Yang

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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The initiation of innate immunology system could play an important role in the aspect of protection for sperms long‐term storage when the sperms got into oviduct of turtles and come into contact with epithelium. The exploration of TLR2/4 distribution and expression in oviduct during hibernation could help make the storage mechanism understandable. The objective of this study was to examine the gene and protein expression profiles in Chinese soft‐shelled turtle during hibernation from November to April in the next year. The protein distribution of TLR2/4 was investigated in the magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina of the turtle oviduct using immunohistochemistry, and the gene expression of TLR2/4 was analyzed using quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). The results showed positive TLR2 protein expression primarily in the epithelium of the oviduct. TLR4 immunoreactivity was widely observed in almost every part of the oviduct, particularly in the epithelium and secretory gland membrane. Analysis of protein, mRNA expression revealed the decreased expression of TLR2/4 in the magnum compared with the isthmus, uterus, and vagina during hibernation. The protein and mRNA expression of TLR2 in the magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina was decreased in April compared with that in November. TLR4 protein and mRNA expression in the magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina was decreased in November compared with that in April. These results indicated that TLR2/4 expression might protect the sperm from microbial infections. In contrast to the function of TLR2, which protects sperm during the early stages of hibernation, TLR4 might play a role in later stages of storage. The present study is the first to report the functions of TLR2/4 in reptiles.

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“…The spermatozoon ultrastructure is an important aspect of basic knowledge of animal reproductive biology (Bian et al, 2013;Santos et al, 2013;Shi et al, 2014), and has traditionally been employed in taxonomic as well as phylogenetic studies (Jamieson, 1991;Justine, 1991;Mattei, 1991;Tudge, 1997Tudge, , 2009.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus and the yabby Cherax destructor (Decapoda, Parastacidae)

Kouba

Niksirat

Bláha

2015

Micron

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The ultrastructural characteristics of the spermatozoa stored in the cauda epididymidis in Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis during the breeding season

Cited by 29 publications

References 29 publications

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

Expression of TLR2/4 in the sperm‐storing oviduct of the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis during hibernation season

Comparative ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus and the yabby Cherax destructor (Decapoda, Parastacidae)

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