Sperm maturation in the male reproductive tract: Development of motility

Abstract

Rabbit spermatozoa were removed from various levels of the male reproductive tract. They were examined in Hanks' solution at room temperature with a phase contrast microscope and their motility characteristics were recorded cinematographically. Spermatozoa from the seminiferous tubules and ductuli efferentes show weak, vibratory movements with no forward progress. Little change in motility occurs until the sperm reach the flexure of the caput epididymidis where some are capable of moving more vigorously in a circular fashion. Samples from the distal caput epididymidis show a sudden increase in sperm activity and a consistent pattern of tight, circular movement. As the sperm traverse the corpus epididymidis, increasing numbers show progressive, forward movement with longitudinal rotation. The proportion of such sperm becomes significant only in samples from the upper cauda epididymidis and more distal regions. Sperm from the ductus deferens rarely retain the circular movement.It is concluded that rabbit spermatozoa undergo a distinct sequence of changes in their swimming movements as they mature in the epididymis. A similar change was noted in epididymal spermatozoa from the rat and guinea pig suggesting that this process i s fundamental to sperm maturation in several species.

Development and initiation of sperm motility in the hamster epididymis

“…Stimulation was not observed before 10 min of incubation ; peak activity occurred around 25 min and decreased rapidly after 30 min of incubation ( fig. 3) Earlier studies in many species have reported similar observations (for review see Gaddum, 1968). The potential for forward motility occurs as the spermatozoa pass through the epididymis, and the capacity for forward movement is acquired in different regions of that organ, depending on the species studied.…”

Measurement of the motility of rat spermatozoa collected by micropuncture from the testis and from different regions along the epididymis

“…The pattern of sperm motility in various regions of the epididymis has been studied in several species (Tournade, 1913;Blandau & Rumery, 1964;Gaddum, 1968;Fray, Hoffer & Fawcett, 1972;Burgos & Tovar, 1974), but there have been relatively few studies concerned with the measurement of the motility of spermatozoa from distinct sites along the mammalian epididymis. This is probably due to the lack of adequate in¬ struments designed to quantify sperm motility and also of techniques available for obtaining samples of spermatozoa from distinct areas along the epididymis.…”

Pairing of Spermatozoa in the Epididymis of the Opossum (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>): A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

“…Although physiological changes (primarily motility) and subtle morphological changes occur during the epididymal maturation of spermatozoa from many eutherian species (BEDFORD, 1963(BEDFORD, , 1975BEDFORD and CALVIN, 1974;BEDFORD, CALVIN and COOPER, 1973;BLANDAU and RUMERY, 1964;CALVIN and BEDFORD, 1971;FAWCETT and HOLLENBERG, 1963;FAWCETT and PHILLIPS, 1969;FRAY, HOFFER and FAWCETT, 1972;GADDUM, 1968), such changes are not nearly as marked as they are in the metatherian forms. The marsupial species are unique in that they exhibit definite changes in morphology (associated with maturation) during their transit through the epididymis.…”