Implications of ram sperm rheotaxis analysed by microfluidics for fertility

Rheotaxis of sperm using a microfluidic device was explored in human, mice and bull. However, the rheotaxis of ram sperm and its role in fertility are unknown. Herein, we described the sperm rheotaxis in ram using microfluidic devices and focused on rheotaxis as potential markers of in vivo fertility. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) with controlled flow velocity was used to explore the kinematic parameters of sperm, total motility and positive rheotaxis (PR). The percentage of PR was defined as the number of PR sperm cells over the number of motile sperm cells. Then, according to the percentage of PR sperm, rams were classified into two groups; sperm with ≥40% PR and <40% PR, although the two ram groups showed similar total motility and kinematic values of sperm evaluated by CASA (p > .05). Two groups of rams mated one hundred thirty ewes naturally (10 ewes/ram). In the results, the pregnancy rate was higher in ≥40% PR (94.4%) than in <40% PR (42.5%, p < .05) after natural mating. Besides, the pregnancy loss was higher in <40% PR (33.3%) than in >40% PR group (8.1%, p < .05). In conclusion, the PR examination in semen can contribute to evaluate the reproductive performance of ram that will provide valuable insights into the semen evaluation.