Timing of sperm transport, sperm penetration and cleavage in the rat

Times of sperm entry into the oviduct from the uterus, into the ampulla from the isthmus; of sperm penetration into oocytes, and of cleavage, were determined using three mating regions. Time intervals and their errors of estimation were calculated. Spermatozoa were first found in the isthmus of the oviduct no earlier than 15 minutes after coitus, but required four hours to ascend the oviduct to the ampulla. The rate of sperm arrival was equal to the rate of sperm penetration, i.e., about 3 sperms/hour. Time of cleavage in vivo was 20.6 hours after sperm penetration in ad libitum mated animals. In culture, oocytes cleaved at exactly the same time as in vivo. Delaying sperm arrival to the site of fertilization (by delaying mating) shortened the time interval between median time of sperm penetration and median time of cleavage. It was concluded that the time of cleavage of the oocyte reflects primarily the time of sperm penetration, but is also influenced by the postovulatory age of the oocyte.