The oviductal sperm reservoir in domestic mammals

BOSCH, P.; WRIGHT, R. W.

ARCHIVOS DE MEDICINA VETERINARIA

Universidad Austral de Chile

Lugar: Valdivia, Chile; Año: 2005 vol. 32 p. 95 - 104

0301-732X

In all mammalian species studied to date, sperm cells are arrested in the caudal isthmus before ovulation to form an oviductal reservoir. When ovulation occurs, discrete numbers of sperm are released from this region and ascend to the ampulla where fertilization normally occurs. Experimental evidence indicates that the sperm reservoir is instrumental in delivering the appropriate number of sperm in the correct physiological state for normal fertilization. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the sperm reservoir formation, functions, as well as potential strategies to improve reproductive performance through its manipulation.