Three-dimensional motion of avian spermatozoa

Vernon, Geraint G.; Woolley, David

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0169(1999)42:2<149::aid-cm6>3.0.co;2-0

Cited by 52 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…As evidenced by coefficients of variation (Table 2), neither average path velocity nor curvilinear velocity varied enough to account for differences in sperm mobility. Furthermore, the nucleus of a motile fowl spermatozoon moves helically around the cell's progression axis [11], and SpermTracker velocity estimates are based upon the movement of the sperm head. Both average path velocity and curvilinear velocity are computer-generated, two-dimensional constructs of a three-dimensional phenomenon.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm Mobility: Phenotype in Roosters (Gallus domesticus) Determinedby Concentration of Motile Sperm and Straight Line Velocity1

Froman

Feltmann

2000

Biology of Reproduction

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Previous research demonstrated that sperm mobility, i.e., the net movement of a sperm population, is a quantitative trait of the domestic fowl. However, the cellular basis for this trait was unknown. In the present work, individual motile sperm were evaluated with a Hobson SpermTracker in order to identify one or more properties of motile sperm that could account for variation in sperm mobility observed among males. A method was validated for assessing sperm motion over an erythrocyte monolayer at body temperature. A small-scale experiment with roosters from the tails and center of a normal distribution of sperm mobility phenotypes (n = 33 roosters) demonstrated that straight line velocity (VSL) and motile concentration were critical to expression of phenotype. The importance of these variables was confirmed with a large-scale experiment using a representative subpopulation (n = 100 roosters). VSL of individual sperm at 41 degrees C ranged between 5 and 100 microm/sec. VSL averaged 32, 39, and 40 microm/sec for low, average, and high sperm mobility phenotypes. Sperm were diluted to 1.2 x 10(6)/ml for motion analysis. Mean motile concentrations were 0.52, 0.84, and 0.95 x 10(6)/ml for low, average, and high sperm mobility phenotypes. Motile concentration was correlated with sperm mobility (r = 0.71). VSL appeared to have an additive effect as it was correlated with straightness of sperm cell trajectory (r = 0.79).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm Mobility: Phenotype in Roosters (Gallus domesticus) Determinedby Concentration of Motile Sperm and Straight Line Velocity1

Froman

Feltmann

2000

Biology of Reproduction

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“…Specifically, because of the relatively small size and slow speed of sperm, they operate at low Reynolds number (defined as the ratio of inertia to the viscous force, Purcell 1977). Passerine sperm swim by rapidly rotating about the longitudinal axis (i.e., "twistdrill" motility, Humphreys 1972;Vernon and Woolley 1999). Importantly, under such conditions, translation (directional movement) and rotation are linearly coupled, which simply means that for a rotating helical shape, the rotational movement will result in forward movement.…”

Section: Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm head morphology is associated with sperm swimming speed: A comparative study of songbirds using electron microscopy

et al. 2018

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Sperm exhibit extraordinary levels of morphological diversification across the animal kingdom. In songbirds, sperm have a helically shaped head incorporating a distinct acrosomal membrane or "helical keel," the form and extent of which varies across species. The functional significance of this helical shape, however, remains unknown. Using scanning electron microscopy, we quantified inter- and intraspecific variation in sperm head morphology across 36 songbird species (Passeriformes: Passerida). Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we investigated the relationship between sperm head morphology and both sperm swimming speed and the frequency of extra-pair young (EPY). We found that species whose sperm had a relatively more pronounced helical form (i.e., long acrosome, short nucleus, wide helical membrane, and a more pronounced waveform along the sperm head "core") had faster-swimming sperm. We found no evidence of a relationship between interspecific variation in sperm head morphology and EPY, although we did find that among- and within-male variation in sperm head traits were negatively correlated with EPY. Applying principles of fluid mechanics, we discuss how the helical form of the sperm head may influence swimming speed, and suggest that further studies considering aspects of sperm morphology beyond sperm length are needed to improve our understanding of sperm structure-function relationships.

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“…Some extremely long midpiece lengths have also been reported, for example, that of the domestic pigeon (98µm) [63] and Japanese quail (161µm) [28]. To what extent midpiece length in nonpasserine birds reflects the number of mitochondria required to provide the necessary energy for forward motility remains unknown, although studies in passerine birds and mammals have shown that essential biological functions, such as the provision of energy, determine gross sperm morphology [64,65].…”

Section: Morphometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Light microscopic features and morphometry of sperm in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Plessis

Soley

2014

Theriogenology

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A comprehensive morphological description of emu sperm at the light microscopy level, an essential prerequisite for the routine evaluation of semen quality in this species, is not currently available. In this study sperm structure was visualized by making conventional semen smears from samples collected from the distal ductus deferens and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde. This was followed by air-drying the smears and staining with a Romanowsky type stain. Examination of the smears using phase contrast illumination and a 100x oil immersion lens readily resolved the various components of the cell, namely, the acrosome, nucleus, midpiece, principal piece and endpiece. This technique was simple to use and produced consistently reproducible results. Normal emu sperm were typically filiform in appearance and closely resembled sperm of the ostrich and other non-passerine species, particularly poultry. A previously undescribed cytoplasmic appendage, associated with the 2 base of the head, was a novel morphological feature. Sperm dimensions in the emu were similar to those of other ratites. This was reflected by a head:tail ratio of 1:4 which is in accordance with the value reported for the ostrich.

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Three-dimensional motion of avian spermatozoa

Cited by 52 publications

References 29 publications

Sperm Mobility: Phenotype in Roosters (Gallus domesticus) Determinedby Concentration of Motile Sperm and Straight Line Velocity1

Sperm Mobility: Phenotype in Roosters (Gallus domesticus) Determinedby Concentration of Motile Sperm and Straight Line Velocity1

Sperm head morphology is associated with sperm swimming speed: A comparative study of songbirds using electron microscopy

Light microscopic features and morphometry of sperm in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

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