Regulation of Sperm Function by Oviduct Fluid and the Epithelium: Insight into the Role of Glycans

In many vertebrates, females store sperm received at mating in specialized reservoirs until fertilization. In some species, sperm are routinely stored for up to a decade. But the structures used to store sperm vary considerably across taxa, suggesting the underlying mechanisms might be equally varia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproduction in domestic animals 2015-07, Vol.50 (S2), p.31-39
Main Author: Miller, DJ
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adhesion
Animal reproduction
Animals
Binding Sites
Body Fluids - physiology
Cell Survival - physiology
Embryonic Development - physiology
epithelial cells
Epithelial Cells - physiology
epithelium
Epithelium - physiology
Fallopian Tubes - physiology
Female
females
Fertilization - physiology
longevity
Male
Mammals
oviducts
ovulation
polysaccharides
Polysaccharides - physiology
semen
Sperm
Sperm Capacitation - physiology
spermatozoa
Spermatozoa - chemistry
Spermatozoa - physiology
Swine
transcription (genetics)
translation (genetics)
viability
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Summary:In many vertebrates, females store sperm received at mating in specialized reservoirs until fertilization. In some species, sperm are routinely stored for up to a decade. But the structures used to store sperm vary considerably across taxa, suggesting the underlying mechanisms might be equally variable. In mammals, after mating, sperm pass through the utero‐tubal junction and bind to epithelial cells of the oviduct isthmus to form a reservoir. This reservoir regulates sperm function, including viability and capacitation, ultimately affecting sperm lifespan. In addition, sperm binding to oviduct cells influences oviduct cell gene transcription and translation, perhaps to aid sperm storage and fertility. The sperm reservoir allows successful reproduction in species in which semen deposition and ovulation are not always synchronized. The focus of this review is on recent studies of the functions of oviduct fluid and of the adhesion molecules that allow sperm to adhere to the oviduct epithelium. The important of glycans on the oviduct epithelium is highlighted.
ISSN:0936-6768
1439-0531
DOI:10.1111/rda.12570