Effects of oviducal cells on the survival and fertilizing ability of fowl spermatozoa.
Oviducal epithelial cells were cultured and the effects of the cells on the survival and fertilizing ability of fowl spermatozoa were investigated. When spermatozoa were incubated at 41 degrees C with cells from the infundibulum, shell gland or uterovaginal junction, their motility, assessed at room temperature (20-23 degrees C), was maintained for 5 to 6 days. Fertilizing ability was also retained after culture at 41 degrees C for at least 4 days. During incubation at this temperature, the spermatozoa were almost immotile and rested in close proximity to the oviducal cells. At 23 degrees C, the same spermatozoa were highly motile.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010057:Oviducts / Q000502:physiology*; D012034:Refrigeration; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013696:Temperature