Distribution of small- and medium-sized molecules within the genital tract of artificially inseminated gilts

Abstract

Radiolabelled compounds of different molecular size were used as tracers mixed with seminal plasma to investigate whether seminal plasma enters the oviducts of inseminated gilts. The substances were 125I-labelled human serum albumin for 3 gilts, 131I-labelled polyvinylpyrrolidone plus 59Fe citrate in 2 gilts and 131I-labelled human serum albumin plus 59Fe citrate in 2 gilts. The gilts were slaughtered 1 h after insemination and the radioactivity was measured in 4 parts of the oviduct, 9 parts of the uterine horns, the body of the uterus and the cervix. Different quantities of the compounds used were found in all oviducts, but there was close agreement between the distributions of the two compounds in the genital tract after simultaneous insemination. There was a difference (60-80%) in total amount of recovered radioactivity between left and right uterine horns. It is concluded that all compounds used entered the oviducts regardless of their molecular sizes.

A preovulatory temperature gradient between the isthmus and ampulla of pig oviducts during the phase of sperm storage

“…Third, mating and the consequent bathing of the uterine side of the utero-tubal junction in seminal plasma may be a necessary preliminary to the physiological modification in the caudal isthmus; some evidence for this comes from our measurements in the 10 preovulatory and mated animals in which there was a significantly greater temperature gradient than in unmated animals. A precise role for individual components of the seminal plasma in modifying the tissues of the caudal isthmus still requires clarification (see Einarsson & Viring, 1973), but use of radiolabelled boar inseminates suggests that very small amounts of seminal plasma can enter the terminal portion of the oviducts soon after mating (Einarsson, Jones, Larsson & Viring, 1980). Assuming that differences in luminal temperature primarily reflect modifications in the extent and activity of the vascular and lymphatic beds of the oviduct tissues, but perhaps also the influence of local waves of contraction in the ampulla, then most probably there would be accompanying changes in gas tension (Po2; Pco2), secretion and/or transudation in the duct associated with the preovulatory phase of sperm arrest and storage; these are currently being examined.…”

Sperm release from oviduct epithelial binding is controlled hormonally by peri‐ovulatory graafian follicles

“…Highly active motility is prompted when ejaculated spermatozoa are suspended in fluids of the uterine lumen, from where a small proportion of spermatozoa passes through the utero-tubal junction and enters the oviduct due largely to intrinsic motility. During passage across the oedematous processes of the utero-tubal junction, there is a gross removal of seminal plasma components from the sperm surface (Polge, 1978;Einarsson et al, 1980). Upon entry into the caudal isthmus, the population of motile cells encounters viscous glycoprotein secretions that accumulate in this region of the duct lumen and will further modify the sperm surface (Hunter, 1995(Hunter, , 1997Buhi et al, 1997Buhi et al, , 2000Suarez et al, 1997;RodriguezMartinez et al, 1998RodriguezMartinez et al, , 2001Johansson et al, 2000).…”

032 Use of Triptorelin Acetate for Inducing Ovulation and Facilitating Fixed Time Artificial Insemination of Sows Weaned on Small-Scale and Niche Market Pig Farms

“…Sows in treatments TRT3 and TRT4 received AI in the presence of a mature boar whereas sows in treatments TRT1 and TRT2 did not. Myometrial contractions help transport spermatozoa to the ampullary-isthmus junction of the oviduct where fertilization occurs (Einarsson et al, 1980;Viring and Einarsson., 1981). Using a mature boar to stimulate the frequency of these contractions in the female through auditory and olfactory stimulation (Signoret, 1970;Kotwicka et al, 1995;Langendijk et al, 2003) may have contributed to a slight increase in pregnancy rates for sows in treatments TRT3 and TRT4.…”

“…Myometrial contractions help transport spermatozoa to the ampullary-isthmus junction of the oviduct where fertilization will take place (Einarsson et al, 1980;Viring and Einarsson, 1981). The amount of contractility is thought to be controlled by the amount of OT released from the posterior pituitary gland of the female in response to boar exposure (Signoret et al, 1972;Claus, 1989; Kotwicka et al., 1995).…”

“…Movement of sperm cells up the reproductive tract is relatively quick and sperm cells are found in the oviducts minutes after insemination (Baker & Degen, 1972). Myometrial contractions help transport sperm cells to the ampullary-isthmus junction of the oviduct where fertilization occurs (Einarsson et al, 1980;Viring and Einarsson., 1981;Langendijk et al, 2005a). The ability of sperm cells to fertilize ova is acquired over a 2 h time frame once sperm 13 have reached the ampullary-isthmus junction.…”