Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

916
During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
916
Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

203
The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
When fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum deteriorates, causing a significant drop in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This hormonal decrease triggers the release of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine...
203
Accessory Glands of the Male Reproductive System01:16

Accessory Glands of the Male Reproductive System

1.4K
The accessory ducts involved in sperm maturation and transportation include the epididymides, vasa deferentia, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra. These ducts play a critical role in the maturation, storage, and transportation of sperm from the testes to the urethra, where it is then released during ejaculation.
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...
1.4K
Accessory Ducts of the Male Reproductive System01:25

Accessory Ducts of the Male Reproductive System

664
The male reproductive system is a complex network of organs and tissues that work together to produce and transport sperm. The epididymis, vasa deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra are the accessory ducts involved in sperm maturation and transportation. These ducts play a critical role in the production and transportation of sperm from the testes to the urethra, where it is then released during ejaculation.
The epididymis is a small, comma-shaped organ located at the back of each testicle....
664
Uterine Tubes01:16

Uterine Tubes

417
The uterine or fallopian tubes function as the conduit through which oocytes travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Each fallopian tube measures approximately 10 to 13 cm long and is anatomically divided into the infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and interstitial part (or intramural segment). The infundibulum is characterized by its funnel shape and features extensions called fimbriae which reach towards the peritoneal cavity. These fimbriae play a critical role during ovulation as they extend...
417
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

150.5K
Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
150.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Interface Engineering: Heterogeneous Nickel-Iron Sulfide Decorated Nitrogen-Doped-Graphene for Efficient Water Splitting.

ChemSusChem·2026
Same author

Compact on-chip fluorescence microscope for dynamic imaging of cellular processes and biomimetic systems.

JPhys photonics·2026
Same author

A randomized controlled study to compare the efficacy of intravitreal faricimab 6.0 mg versus aflibercept 2.0 mg in management of treatment-naive diabetic macular edema in Indian populations.

Indian journal of ophthalmology·2026
Same author

Pathogen to read: a rapid, automated workflow for public health-ready microbial sequencing.

BMC genomics·2026
Same author

Effectiveness of digital health interventions on antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in India: A systematic review with an RCT-only meta-analysis.

Digital health·2026
Same author

Ultrawide-field indocyanine angiography changes post 12 weeks of eplerenone in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Indian journal of ophthalmology·2026
Same journal

AI in Genomics: From Variant Calling to Multi-Omics Integration.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026
Same journal

Rethinking One Health: Microbial Foundations for Ecological Governance.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026
Same journal

Biobanked Liver Organoids: A Roadmap for Precision Hepatology.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026
Same journal

The Temporal Architecture of Human Cells: Organelle Clocks and Distributed Circadian Time.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026
Same journal

Opposing Activity at the Apical Surface: An Antagonistic Collaboration Between Crumbs and Myosin II Determines Organ Shape.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026
Same journal

Hidden Fungal DNA Structures May Shape Sequencing Outcomes.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2025

Macro-Rheology Characterization of Gill Raker Mucus in the Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
09:13

Macro-Rheology Characterization of Gill Raker Mucus in the Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Published on: July 10, 2020

3.0K

The Known and Unknown About Female Reproductive Tract Mucus Rheological Properties.

Luke Achinger1, Derek F Kluczynski1, Abigail Gladwell1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|March 22, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Female reproductive tract mucus viscosity changes may guide sperm movement during ovulation. Understanding these rheological properties could reveal new insights into reproductive biology and infertility.

Keywords:
cervixfemale reproductive tractmucusuterusviscosity

More Related Videos

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer
08:47

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Published on: April 21, 2022

3.1K
Biaxial Basal Tone and Passive Testing of the Murine Reproductive System Using a Pressure Myograph
09:59

Biaxial Basal Tone and Passive Testing of the Murine Reproductive System Using a Pressure Myograph

Published on: August 13, 2019

9.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2025

Macro-Rheology Characterization of Gill Raker Mucus in the Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
09:13

Macro-Rheology Characterization of Gill Raker Mucus in the Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Published on: July 10, 2020

3.0K
Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer
08:47

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Published on: April 21, 2022

3.1K
Biaxial Basal Tone and Passive Testing of the Murine Reproductive System Using a Pressure Myograph
09:59

Biaxial Basal Tone and Passive Testing of the Murine Reproductive System Using a Pressure Myograph

Published on: August 13, 2019

9.4K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Spermatozoa navigate the female reproductive tract mucus, a non-Newtonian fluid, to reach the egg for fertilization.
  • This mucus can either facilitate or impede sperm motility, potentially causing infertility.
  • In vitro studies show rheological properties affect sperm motility, but in vivo effects remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review rheological measurements of female reproductive tract mucus during ovulation.
  • To focus on viscosity's potential effects on spermatozoa in vivo.
  • To explore the novel hypothesis that viscosity gradients guide sperm.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of rheological measurements in human and animal reproductive tract mucus during ovulation.
  • Analysis of viscosity data across different compartments of the female reproductive tract.
  • Synthesis of existing knowledge on mucus rheology and sperm motility.

Main Results:

  • Information on mucus viscosity within the female reproductive tract is incomplete.
  • Most mammals exhibit a decrease in mucus viscosity along the female reproductive tract.
  • The precise in vivo effects of mucus rheology on spermatozoa are not well understood.

Conclusions:

  • Female reproductive tract mucus viscosity changes may play a role in guiding spermatozoa towards the egg.
  • This viscosity gradient hypothesis offers a novel perspective on reproductive biology.
  • Further research is needed to validate the in vivo role of mucus viscosity in sperm transport and fertilization.