The effect of human Fallopian tube epithelium on human sperm velocity motility and binding

Purpose: A prospective, controlled in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effects of human fallopian tube epithelium on the motility, velocity, and binding of human spermatozoa. Methods: Eleven fallopian tubes from six women undergoing hysterectomy and semen samples from 14 male partners of women undergoing in vitro fertilizat ion were collected. Human spermatozoa were cultured with monolayer of human fallopian tube epithelial cells. The motility and velocity were analyzed s ubsequently at 0, 2, 6, 24, and 48 hr of incubation. The sperm binding capa city was analyzed after 48 hr in the hemizona assay (HZA). Results: The presence of the human fallopian tube epithelial cells did not have any beneficial effects on sperm motility and velocity On the other han d significant promoting effect was observed in the ability of the sperm to bind to the zona pellucida. Conclusions: The interaction of human spermatozoa with fallopian tube epith elial cells significantly increases sperm binding in the HZA.