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Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice
Published on: November 18, 2017
A method for multiple sampling mouse sperm in vivo†
Gonzalo Moreno-Del Val1, Patricia Muñoz-Robledano1, Antonio J Caler1
1Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
Abstract:
Mice are the most widely used animal model to study human diseases. However, the difficulty of in vivo recovery of mouse sperm has posed a limitation with its use in reproductive biology research. Several published techniques for obtaining sperm samples in vivo have been described, but most of them have several caveats. Critical limitations include poor reliability and significant mortality (Electroejaculation and drug-induced ejaculation), or the need for a large number of animals, careful programming, and laborious work (directed mating). Here, we describe a new approach for in vivo collection of sperm in the mouse via direct puncture of the epididymis to address these limitations. In addition, the technique is easy, safe, and reliable, allowing the animal to recover and maintain its fertility. In this way, punctual experiments could be carried out, or even more so, serial sampling of the same animal over time. Therefore, our approach allows for long-term and time-course experiments to study sperm characteristics under different treatments or conditions while maintaining the spermatogenic niche in vivo. In summary, we present our original approach as a powerful research tool to facilitate the study of spermatozoa relevant to various areas of biomedical research.
Insights
Researchers developed a new, safe, and reliable method for collecting mouse sperm directly from the epididymis. This technique overcomes limitations of previous methods, enabling long-term studies of sperm characteristics in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Models in Research
Background:
- Mice are crucial animal models for studying human diseases.
- Current in vivo mouse sperm collection methods have significant limitations, including poor reliability, high mortality, and labor intensity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, minimally invasive technique for in vivo mouse sperm collection.
- To address the limitations of existing sperm recovery methods in mice.
- To facilitate long-term and serial studies of sperm characteristics in vivo.
Main Methods:
- A new technique involving direct puncture of the epididymis for in vivo sperm collection in mice.
- Evaluation of the technique's safety, reliability, and impact on animal fertility.
Main Results:
- The described method is easy, safe, and reliable for in vivo sperm collection.
- Animals retain fertility after sperm collection, allowing for serial sampling.
- The technique supports long-term and time-course experiments without compromising the in vivo spermatogenic niche.
Conclusions:
- This novel epididymal puncture technique offers a powerful research tool for studying spermatozoa.
- It overcomes critical limitations of existing methods, enhancing the utility of mice in reproductive biology and biomedical research.
- Enables longitudinal studies of sperm characteristics in vivo.
