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Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
Accessory Ducts of the Male Reproductive System01:25

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Sperm Transport01:15

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The epididymis is a small, comma-shaped organ located at the back of each testicle. The epididymis can be divided into three main parts: the head, body, and tail. The head of the epididymis...
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Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa
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The ultrastructure and metabolism of ejaculated tammar wallaby sperm are impaired by swim-up procedures when compared

R N Murdoch1, R C Jones, M Wade

  • 1Cooperative Research Centre for the Conservation and Management of Marsupials, The Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. rmurdoch@mail.newcastle.edu.au

Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|July 18, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Swim-up procedures harm ejaculated tammar sperm, especially after exposure to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG). Dilution is key, as epididymal sperm gain motility and metabolic function upon dilution.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Spermatozoa physiology
  • Mammalian reproduction

Background:

  • Ejaculated sperm undergo detrimental changes in artificial media.
  • N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG) exposure exacerbates these changes.
  • Spermatozoa motility and metabolism are sensitive to environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of swim-up procedures and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG) on tammar sperm.
  • To understand the role of dilution in sperm viability and function.
  • To identify protective agents for sperm during in vitro handling.

Main Methods:

  • Sperm collected from tammar marsupials.
  • Exposure of ejaculated sperm to artificial media with and without protective agents (hyaluronate, albumin, catalase, Desferal) and NAG.
  • Analysis of sperm metabolism, sugar accumulation, motility, and ultrastructure.
  • Comparison with sperm from cauda epididymidis, assessing effects of dilution in Krebs-Ringer phosphate (KRP).

Main Results:

  • Swim-up into artificial media impaired ejaculated tammar sperm metabolism, sugar uptake, motility, and ultrastructure, especially after NAG exposure.
  • Protective agents in swim-up media improved motility but not metabolic or ultrastructural integrity against NAG.
  • Epididymal sperm, initially immotile and with low respiration in undiluted caudal epididymal semen (CES), showed induced motility and increased respiration upon dilution in KRP.
  • Dilution effects on respiration varied, with optimal increases at moderate (5-15 fold) and decreased respiration at higher (50-fold) dilution.
  • Diluted epididymal sperm exhibited a Pasteur effect and lost motility in oxygen-depleted conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Swim-up procedures compromise ejaculated tammar sperm viability through dilution-induced changes.
  • Altered membrane permeability and enzyme loss may occur, affecting ammonia processing during NAG metabolism.
  • Subsequent NAG exposure leads to further ultrastructural damage and loss of viability.
  • Dilution is a critical factor influencing tammar sperm motility and metabolic properties, contrasting with detrimental effects of swim-up in artificial media.