Effect of ovulation on sperm transport in the hamster oviduct.
When hamsters mate shortly after the onset of oestrus (4.5-6 h before the onset of ovulation), spermatozoa are stored in the caudal isthmus of the oviduct until near the time of ovulation. At this time, a few spermatozoa ascend to the ampulla to fertilize the eggs. Superovulation resulted in a significant increase in the number of spermatozoa in the caudal isthmus at 6 h post coitus (p.c.) and in the ampulla and bursal cavity at 12 h p.c. Precocious ovulation resulted in a highly significant reduction in the total number of spermatozoa in the oviduct at 3 and 6 h p.c. This effect was completely overcome by intrauterine artificial insemination, suggesting lack of cervical patency as the block to sperm transport in precociously ovulated animals. Ligation of the ampulla-infundibulum junction in naturally ovulating hamsters resulted in significantly fewer spermatozoa in the caudal isthmus and ampulla at 12 h p.c. Preclusion of ovulation also resulted in fewer spermatozoa in the caudal isthmus and ampulla at 12 h p.c., suggesting that the products of ovulation stimulate sperm transport in the oviduct.
Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology, University of Hawaii Medical School, Honolulu 96822.
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D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006224:Cricetinae; D005187:Fallopian Tubes; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013083:Sperm Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D013480:Superovulation
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin