title: A unique mechanism of successful fertilization in a domestic bird.
abstract: Fertilization is an indispensable step for formation of a zygote in sexual reproduction, leading to species survival. When mating occurs, sperm is transported to the female reproductive tracts via the seminal plasma (SP). SP is derived from male accessory sex glands and it plays pivotal roles for fertilization in animals. However, molecular mechanisms of SP or a fluid derived from male accessory sex glands for successful fertilization remain unclear. Here, we report that in male quail the cloacal gland (CG) produces prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) that contributes to successful fertilization. PGF2α, as well as the secretion of CG (CGS), induced vaginal contractions and caused the opening of the entrance of the sperm storage tubules, the structures responsible for the long-term sperm storage and fertilization. The removal of CGS from the male before mating reduced the fertility, but the supplementation of CGS or PGF2α rescued the subfertility. We further showed that male CG contains glucose that is utilized as energy source for the intrinsic sperm mobility after transportation to female vagina. This mechanism, in concert with the excitatory effects of PGF2α enables successful fertilization in the domestic bird.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasanami
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Dynamics and Management, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
authors.forename: Shusei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mizushima
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hiyama
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yorinaga
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ukena
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Center for Medical Life Science, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsutsui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002988:Cloaca / Q000378:metabolism; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D011784:Quail; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015237:Dinoprost