Analysis of the flagellar bending waves of ejaculated ram sperm

The variability of flagellar movement, illustrated by the highly heterogeneous nature of the ejaculated sperm population of the ram, was analyzed by the use of a stroboscopic technique and an adapted microphotographic 24 X 36 camera system. The multiple-moving-exposures (MME) records give very distinct successive sequences of the flagellar beats and are particularly suitable for the analysis of bend development and propagation along the tail. With this technique, the parameters of the flagellar bending waves of ejaculated ram sperm have been determined. Most of the sperm have planar flagellar beatings; few are rolling under the conditions of observation. The trajectories of the gametes are mostly linear; nevertheless, some have circular paths. The analysis of bending has been focused on two examples for which the difference in the progressiveness ratio was maximum. The circular pathways for ram spermatozoa are linked to an asymmetry between principal and reverse bend probably induced by differences in wave propagation evidenced along the flagellum. A typical sperm flagellar movement may be related either to the conditions of the observations or to some differences in the maturation process of the sperm.