Sperm storage in the reproductive tract of the female Japanese long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii fuliginosus.
In the Japanese long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii fuliginosus, spermatozoa in contact with the microvilli of non-ciliated cells in folds in the uterotubal junction appeared normal, while spermatozoa remaining in the uterus degenerated and were engulfed by a massive invasion of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. No leucocytes were seen in the uterotubal junction area. It is suggested that the spermatozoa in this area are being stored, probably until ovulation occurs.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013083:Sperm Transport; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure