title: [Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by cumulus oophorus cells of cultured calf follicles].
abstract: Cells of the cumulus oophorus of the calf show intense phagocytotic activity under various in  vitro conditions after insemination. The spermatozoa utilized were bull spermatozoa either only washed or washed and treated by various means to induce capacitation. The cumuli cultured in a simple salt medium with BSA or with FSH, LH and prolactin, phagocytise intensely; up to 8-10 spermatozoa may be incorporated per cell. Washed sperm is taken up with the same intensity as those treated for capacitation. Mouse sperm is incorporated also. Calf cumulus cells thus appear to demonstrate a general phagocytotic activity. This phagocytotic activity may represent a primary defense against polyspermy in case too many spermatozoa should be present in the ampulla at time of ovulation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
vernacular_title: La phagocytose des spermatozoïdes par les cellules du cumulus oophorus de follicules de veau en culture