FREE-RADICAL MEDIATED SPERM-LOAD MANAGEMENT IN THE VAGINA OF RATS

The postcoitus phagocytic engulfment of spermatozoa following disinteg ration of a sperm cell has not been well understood until now. By moni toring the free radical status of the vagina in accordance with the va rious stages of the estrous cycle and the sperm-cutting power of vagin al flushing, a positive correlation has been detected that favors the superoxide theory of the sperm-cutting technique in vivo. This finding is also consistent with the previous experience of free radical bombi ng of spermatozoa in spermatic granuloma.