title: Microgrooves and fluid flows provide preferential passageways for sperm over pathogen Tritrichomonas foetus.
abstract: Successful mammalian reproduction requires that sperm migrate through a long and convoluted female reproductive tract before reaching oocytes. For many years, fertility studies have focused on biochemical and physiological requirements of sperm. Here we show that the biophysical environment of the female reproductive tract critically guides sperm migration, while at the same time preventing the invasion of sexually transmitted pathogens. Using a microfluidic model, we demonstrate that a gentle fluid flow and microgrooves, typically found in the female reproductive tract, synergistically facilitate bull sperm migration toward the site of fertilization. In contrast, a flagellated sexually transmitted bovine pathogen, Tritrichomonas foetus, is swept downstream under the same conditions. We attribute the differential ability of sperm and T. foetus to swim against flow to the distinct motility types of sperm and T. foetus; specifically, sperm swim using a posterior flagellum and are near-surface swimmers, whereas T. foetus swims primarily via three anterior flagella and demonstrates much lower attraction to surfaces. This work highlights the importance of biophysical cues within the female reproductive tract in the reproductive process and provides insight into coevolution of males and females to promote fertilization while suppressing infection. Furthermore, the results provide previously unidentified directions for the development of in vitro fertilization devices and contraceptives.
authors: Departments of Biological and Environmental Engineering.
authors: Chih-kuan
authors: CK
authors: Tung
authors: Biomedical Sciences, and Family Planning Research Institute, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030 Wuhan, China.
authors: Lian
authors: L
authors: Hu
authors: Departments of Biological and Environmental Engineering.
authors: Alyssa G
authors: AG
authors: Fiore
authors: Biomedical Sciences, and.
authors: Florencia
authors: F
authors: Ardon
authors: Biomedical Sciences, and.
authors: Dillon G
authors: DG
authors: Hickman
authors: Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; and.
authors: Robert O
authors: RO
authors: Gilbert
authors: Biomedical Sciences, and mw272@cornell.edu sss7@cornell.edu.
authors: Susan S
authors: SS
authors: Suarez
authors: Departments of Biological and Environmental Engineering, mw272@cornell.edu sss7@cornell.edu.
authors: Mingming
authors: M
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa; D016835:Tritrichomonas foetus / Q000378:metabolism*
keywords: cell motility; cervix; microfluidics; microswimmer; trichomoniasis