MOTILITY OF SPERMATOZOA IN HYDROSALPINGEAL AND FOLLICULAR-FLUID OF PIGS

Hydrosalpinges were created to collect adequate volumes of fluid durin g pre-, peri- and postovulatory intervals from the ampulla, ampullary- isthmic junction and the isthmic-utero-tubal junction of the oviducts from Large White gilts that had exhibited at least two natural oestrou s cycles. The accumulated fluids, follicular fluid and Butschwiler's m edium were compared for their effects on various parameters of boar sp erm motility using the CellSoft(TM), computer-assisted, digital image analysis system. Sperm velocity (mu m s(-1) +/- SEM) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in follicular fluid (84 +/- 3; n = 5) than in fluid s from the ampulla during peri- and early postovulatory intervals, and from the isthmic-utero-tubal junction during pre- and early postovula tory intervals. It was also higher (P < 0.05) than in the fluid from t he ampullary-isthmic junction during pre- and early postovulatory inte rvals; however, sperm velocity in follicular fluid was not significant ly different from that in the periovulatory fluid from the ampullary-i sthmic junction. The mean lateral head displacement (ALH(mean)) of spe rmatozoa was significantly greater in follicular fluid (3.9 +/- 0.3 mu m; n = 5) than in fluid from the ampulla during peri- and early posto vulatory intervals and from the isthmic-utero-tubal junction during pr e- and early postovulatory intervals, and was also higher (P < 0.05) t han in fluid from the ampullary-isthmic junction during the preovulato ry period, but was not different from the peri- and postovulatory ampu llary-isthmic junction fluids. The proportion of spermatozoa exhibitin g circular motion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the periovula tory fluid from the ampullary-isthmic junction (24 +/- 3%) compared wi th fluids obtained during preovulatory and early postovulatory periods . Follicular fluid had no effect on the proportion of spermatozoa exhi biting circular motion. The average radius of sperm movement in circul ar trajectories was higher in follicular fluid than in the periovulato ry fluids from the ampulla and ampullary-isthmic junction (P < 0.05). In hydrosalpingeal fluids collected 2-5 days after ovulation, the aver age radius of movement was greater in the ampulla fluid and ampullary- isthmic junction fluid than in fluid from the isthmic-utero-tubal junc tion (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that follicular fluid and o viductal fluids have considerable influences on boar sperm motility. F urthermore, the immediate effect of periovulatory ampullary-isthmic ju nction fluid in increasing the percentage of spermatozoa swimming in c ircles (hyperactivated) is relevant, since it is at this time and with in this region that fertilization occurs.