Movement Characteristics Of Hamster Spermatozoa Within The Oviduct

Movement characteristics of golden hamster spermatozoa within the oviduct at the time and site of fertilization were studied using high-speed cinemicrography. Preparations consisted of excised oviducts immediately submersed in mineral oil and placed in a deep slide-coverglass system at 37°C. All spermatozoa visualized were motile and were exhibiting flagellar movement similar to the “activated” motility previously identified by observations in vitro. The geometrical details of this movement were not constant with time, however, and involved episodes of whiplash-like flagellar bending punctuated by periods of more progressive swimming. The trajectories of the spermatozoa were obviously influenced by the presence of the epithelial surfaces of the oviduct, suggesting that interactions between the spermatozoa and these surfaces could play a role in oviductal sperm transport.