[Flagellar motility amd movement of boar spermatozoa during epididymal transit]

The motility of boar spermatozoa during epididymal transit was analysed in vitro using various techniques. From the head to the cauda there was an increase of the percentage of motile and progressive spermatozoa. During maturation there was a progressive reduction of flagellar bend curvature while flagellar beat frequencies increased. A three dimensional pattern of flagellar beating responsible for cell rotation and straight line progression of spermatozoa was observed only in caudal epididymis. The addition of epididymal fluid protein to the media could increase the number of motile cells at the various levels but had no influence on the characteristics of flagellar bending.