title: Timing associated with oviductal sperm storage and release after artificial insemination in domestic hens.
abstract: Female birds store sperm in sperm storage tubules (SSTs) in the uterovaginal junction of their reproductive tract for days or weeks (depending on species) before fertilization. Sperm are transported from the SSTs to the infundibulum where fertilization occurs immediately after ovulation of each ovum. The timing of sperm release from the SSTs relative to ovulation is unknown for any bird. Here, we show that, after artificial insemination of domestic fowl Gallus domesticus, sperm are not accepted into any region of the oviduct before sexual maturity. Once hens reach maturity, there is a temporal shift in the distribution of sperm throughout the oviduct. Sperm are first accepted into and accumulate in the SSTs 6 to 8 days before ovulation but are at this point significantly less numerous in the infundibulum. From 1 to 6 days before ovulation, approximately 10-fold more sperm (235 × 10(3) sperm) populate the infundibulum than at 6 to 8 days before ovulation (26 × 10(3) sperm; P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the mechanisms underlying sperm acceptance and release in the oviduct are under fine temporal control, most likely mediated by female hormones.
authors: Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: n.hemmings@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Hemmings
authors: Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors: T R
authors: TR
authors: Birkhead
authors: Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA - Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, Monnaie, France.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Brillard
authors: Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA - Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, Monnaie, France.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Froment
authors: Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA - Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, Monnaie, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Briere
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010057:Oviducts / Q000166:cytology*; D010060:Ovulation; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Domestic fowl; Fertile period; Hormone; Maturation; Seabird