PREGNANCY BY TUBAL INSEMINATION IN RABBITS USING SPERM CELLS CAPACITATED IN-VITRO

It has been suggested that the mechanical interference involved in ins erting a tube into the oviduct before ovulation, during tubal insemina tion, may impair the capacity of the tubal fimbriae to pick up ovulate d eggs. When fresh sperm cells are used, the semen has to be injected into the oviduct before ovulation to allow time for sperm capacitation , In the present study in rabbits, sperm cells capacitated by pre-incu bation in vitro were injected into the oviducts through the tubal fimb riae after ovulation. Two of the six rabbits inseminated became pregna nt and gave birth to one and three offspring, respectively. Injecting capacitated sperm cells after ovulation may avoid the potential proble ms posed by mechanical damage of the tubal fimbriae.