scholarly journals Sperm survival in the female reproductive tract in the fly Scathophaga stercoraria (L.)

2002 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Bernasconi ◽  
B Hellriegel ◽  
A Heyland ◽  
P.I Ward
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Scathophaga Stercoraria ◽  
Sperm Survival

Secretory proteins from the female reproductive tract of the brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula: binding to sperm and effects on sperm survival in vitro

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Sidhu ◽  
K. E. Mate ◽  
F. C. Molinia ◽  
A. M. Glazier ◽  
J. C. Rodger
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Conditioned Media ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Sperm Survival ◽  
Uterine Proteins

Previous studies have demonstrated that co-culture of brushtail possum epididymal spermatozoa with oviduct epithelial cell monolayers prolongs sperm survival and results in the re-orientation of the sperm head and tail to the T-shape (thumbtack) configuration. Transformation of sperm to thumbtack orientation is believed to be associated with marsupial sperm capacitation. Here we report that incubation in oviduct-conditioned media also significantly prolongs sperm survival and results in the transformation of sperm to the thumbtack orientation. The major objective of the current study was to examine the proteins present in the conditioned media, to determine whether any of these proteins specifically bound to sperm and the relationship between these proteins and sperm survival and thumbtack orientation. Co-culturing brushtail possum sperm with biotin-labeled proteins in conditioned media (CM) from ampulla, isthmus and uterine explants demonstrated strong binding of two proteins of molecular mass 230 and 61 kD and weak binding of nine proteins of molecular mass 200, 180, 120, 140, 55, 52, 48, 34, 30 kD to sperm within 30 min. The binding of the 61-kD protein from the conditioned media appeared specific as increasing concentrations of non-labeled oviduct proteins, but not serum proteins, inhibited the binding of labeled proteins. The binding of oviduct and uterine proteins in the conditioned media significantly prolonged sperm survival and percentage motility and also transformed a large number of sperm to a thumbtack orientation. The implication of binding of these proteins is discussed in the context of sperm survival and capacitation in this species.

scholarly journals The seminal coagulum favours passage of fast-moving sperm into the uterus in the black-handed spider monkey

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonor Hernández-López ◽  
Ana Lilia Cerda-Molina ◽  
Denisse L Páez-Ponce ◽  
Ricardo Mondragón-Ceballos
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Spider Monkey ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Sperm Survival ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Physiological And Biochemical

In addition to gametes, mammalian internal fertilisation has required the evolution of assorted anatomical, physiological and biochemical devices to deal with intra- and inter-sexual conflict such as sperm competition and female cryptic choice respectively. The seminal coagulum of primates and other mammals is viewed as one of such devices. Among primates, the seminal coagulum characteristically occurs in multi-male and multi-female species, leading us to suppose that it intervenes in sperm competition. However, it can also provide cues to the female reproductive tract about male desired or undesired traits, and therefore deter or favour sperm survival and migration. The present work investigates whether the seminal coagulum of the black-handed spider monkey enhances sperm fertilisation chances by improving the female reproductive tract conditions, and if the female reproductive tract is ‘blind’ to semen or behaves selectively towards ejaculates of different males. A series of artificial inseminations were done in five females, using the ejaculates of three different males, one at a time, and measuring the presence of distinct types of sperm inside the uteri at 10, 30 and 60 min following the insemination. The presence of coagulum, menstrual phase, and male and female identity only affected fast, straight-moving sperm, with larger amounts of fast sperm appearing inside the uteri when ejaculates had seminal coagulum, as well as when in the periovulatory phase. There was great intra-uterine fast-sperm variation regarding which male's semen inseminated which female. The results provide evidence to account for sexual conflict in the spider monkey as well as a methodological approach to this kind of study.

scholarly journals Human Semenogelin 1 Promotes Sperm Survival in the Mouse Female Reproductive Tract

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3961
Author(s):  
Daiki Sakaguchi ◽  
Kenji Miyado ◽  
Teruaki Iwamoto ◽  
Hiroshi Okada ◽  
Kaoru Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Functional Protein ◽  
Internal Fertilization ◽  
Mouse Uterus ◽  
Mouse Sperm ◽  
Sperm Survival

Semenogelin 1 (SEMG1), a main component of human seminal plasma, is a multi-functional protein involved in the regulation of sperm motility and fertility. SEMG1 is orthologous to mouse seminal vesicle secretion 2 (SVS2), required for sperm survival in the female reproductive tract after copulation; however, its in vivo function remains unclear. In this study, we addressed this issue by examining the effect of recombinant SEMG1 on intrauterine mouse sperm survival. SEMG1 caused a dose-dependent decrease in mouse sperm motility, similar to its effect on human sperm, but SVS2 had no effect on mouse sperm motility. Mouse epididymal sperm in the presence of 100 µM SEMG1, a concentration that does not affect mouse sperm motility, were injected into the mouse uterus (intrauterine insemination, IUI). IUI combined with SEMG1 significantly increased the survival rate of intrauterine mouse sperm. The effect of SEMG1 on intrauterine sperm survival was comparable with that of SVS2. For clinical applications, three potentially sperm-protecting polypeptides that are easy to handle were designed from SEMG1, but their individual use was unable to mimic the ability of SEMG1. Our results indicate that SEMG1 has potential clinical applications for effective IUI and thereby for safe, simple, and effective internal fertilization.

scholarly journals Female accessory gland fluid promotes sperm survival in yellow dung flies

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
Karin Thüler ◽  
Wolf U. Blanckenhorn ◽  
Paul I. Ward ◽  
Stefan Lüpold ◽  
Luc F. Bussière
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Fertilization Failure ◽  
Sperm Number ◽  
Scathophaga Stercoraria ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Sperm Survival

Female and male reproductive traits co-evolve through pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection and sexual conflict. Although males typically transfer many sperm during copulation, only a small proportion reach the fertilization site because females often actively or passively reduce sperm number in their reproductive tract. Males may transfer accessory substances to protect their ejaculates against female selective processes, which benefits males but can harm females. In turn, females may use accessory gland fluids to control paternity or sperm storage. Female yellow dung flies (Scathophaga stercoraria) have paired accessory glands that produce fluids involved in fertilization and egg laying. One proposed function for these fluids is spermicide. Alternatively, female accessory gland fluid may help keep sperm alive to avoid fertilization failure or encourage sperm competition. Using yellow dung flies, we investigated the interaction of female accessory gland fluid with sperm in vitro. Significantly more sperm remained alive when exposed to accessory gland fluid compared to buffer only (63% vs. 44%). We conclude that female accessory gland fluid in yellow dung flies can help nourish rather than kill male sperm, although selective nourishment of sperm is as consistent with cryptic female choice as is selective spermicide.

Effect of Contraceptive Steroids on the Endometrium of Guinea Pig: SEM study

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 668-669
Author(s):  
Mai M. Said ◽  
Ramesh K. Nayak ◽  
Randall E. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Surface Ultrastructure ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Sem Study ◽  
Uterine Mucosa ◽  
Group 1

Burgos and Wislocki described changes in the mucosa of the guinea pig uterus, cervix and vagina during the estrous cycle investigated by transmission electron microscopy. More recently, Moghissi and Reame reported the effects of progestational agents on the human female reproductive tract. They found drooping and shortening of cilia in norgestrel and norethindrone- treated endometria. To the best of our knowledge, no studies concerning the effects of mestranol and norethindrone given concurrently on the three-dimensional surface features on the uterine mucosa of the guinea pig have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mestranol and norethindrone on surface ultrastructure of guinea pig uterus by SEM.Seventy eight animals were used in this study. They were allocated into two groups. Group 1 (20 animals) was injected intramuscularly 0.1 ml vegetable oil and served as controls.

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