The Fallopian Tube of the Sheep Iv. The Metabolism of Ram Spermatozoa in the Presence of Fluid from the Fallopian Tube

Abstract

SummaryUsing isotopically labelled substrates, the metabolism of ram spermatozoa was examined in the presence of fluid from the fallopian tubes of normal ewes and spayed ewes receiving oestrogen and progesterone in factorial combination. The oxygen uptake of spermatozoa in tubal fluid was variable but was generally less than that of spermatozoa incubated in a saline diluent containing glucose (control). Due to the presence of lactate in the tubal fluids, the oxidation of added glucose by spermatozoa was consistently depressed when compared with the saline controls. On the other hand glucose utilization and lactate accumulation by spermatozoa were stimulated in the presence of tubal fluids in all experiments, the response being generally twice that of the controls. In addition, similar effects were found in fluids collected during two consecutive oestrous cycles.The hormonal treatments had little effect on the metabolism of spermatozoa. There were no differences in response to fluids collected during different stages of the oestrous cycle.

The Fallopian Tube of the Sheep. V. Secretion From the Ampullla and Isthmus

“…The depression of oxygen uptake and the elevation of glycolysis in spermatozoa incubated in tubal fluids confirms earlier reports (Restall and Wales 1966b) but is again at variance with reports for other species (Olds and VanDemark 1957;Hamner and Williams 1963). Species differences probably exist but direct comparisons must be made with caution because of the differences in technique in the various studies.…”

“…Total oxygen uptake, fLg-atoms of carbon oxidized from glucose and lactate, total glucose utilized, and total lactate accumulated were calculated for the 3-hr incubation period. Details of the estimation of these parameters have been given previously (Restall and Wales 1966b).…”

Effect of Incubation Conditions on the Metabolic Response of Ram Spermatozoa in the Presence of Fluids from the Genital Tract of the Ewe

“…Many recent reports have examined the effect of fluids from the female reproductive tract on the metabolism of spermatozoa (Olds and Vandemark 1957;Williams 1963, 1964;Kirton and Hafs 1965;Restall and Wales 1966;Wales and Restall 1966;Foley and Williams 1967;Murdoch and White 1968). The effects reported have varied in some cases.…”

“…The effects reported have varied in some cases. For instance, Restall and Wales (1966) using fluid from the oviduct of the ewe found that generally the fluid depressed oxygen uptake of spermatozoa but enhanced glycolysis. Williams (1963, 1964) and Murdoch and White (1968) using oviduct fluid from the rabbit have found that the oxygen uptake of spermatozoa is enhanced by the fluid and have proposed that the stimulation is due to the bicarbonate content of the fluid.…”

The Influence of the Fluids from the Genital Tract of the Ewe on the Survival of Ram Spermatozoa

“…Several recent studies have examined the effect of fluids obtained from the female genital tract on the metabolism of spermatozoa (Olds and Vandemark 1957;Williams 1963,1964;Kirton and Hafs 1965;Restall and Wales 1966a;Wales and Restall1966;Foley and Williams 1967;Murdoch and White 1968). Most ofthese studies have been aimed at defining the metabolic changes in the spermatozoa resulting from their incubation with genital tract fluids.…”