Higher-quality human sperm in a sample selectively attach to oviduct (fallopian tube) epithelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if sperm attachment to oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) in vitro is selective for higher quality sperm and if the system requires homologous species OEC.


METHODS
Controlled prospective study with outcomes assayed by a technician blind to sperm treatment groups.


METHODS
An academic research laboratory.


METHODS
Experiment 1: normospermic donors with children (4 donors, 7 ejaculates). Experiment 2: cryopreserved donor samples (4 donors).


METHODS
Semen collection by masturbation after 48 hours of abstinence.


METHODS
Experiment 1: sperm assays of motility, morphology, membrane integrity, and capacitation status. Experiment 2: sperm chromatin (DNA) integrity and condensation.


RESULTS
Experiment 1: sperm not attaching to OEC had lower motility, more membrane disruptions, and more acrosome reactions than did control sperm. This selectivity was equivalent for sperm in coculture with all OEC types. Experiment 2: sperm attached to OEC had fewer abnormalities in chromatin structure compared with sperm that were not attached.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective attachment of functionally superior sperm to OEC is likely important during sperm reservoir formation in vivo and may be exploitable in vitro as a method to isolate high-quality sperm for clinical procedures. Such a system does not require human origin OEC.
Ellington
J E
JE
Department of Vet Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology, Washington State University, Spokane 99201-3899, USA. ellington@wsu.edu
Evenson
D P
DP
Wright
R W
RW
Jones
A E
AE
Schneider
C S
CS
Hiss
G A
GA
Brisbois
R S
RS
D015925:Cryopreservation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007316:Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous; D007317:Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D014019:Tissue Donors