Spermatozoa Transport and Fertilization in Females

Semen Deposition

Location where semen is introduced into female tract.

Cranial Vagina

Semen deposition site for cows, sheep, dogs.

Cervix

Semen deposition site primarily for pigs.

Cervical Lumen

Semen is delivered into uterus via horse cervix.

Transcervical AI

Semen delivered by bypassing the cervix.

Intracervical AI

Semen positioned within cervix for direct uterine flow.

Semen Volume for Sows

50-80 mL required for optimal conception rates.

Laparoscopic Insemination

Surgical introduction of semen into uterine horns.

Retrograde Transport

Loss of spermatozoa from female tract post-insemination.

Capacitation

Sperm maturation process necessary for fertilization.

Male Pronucleus Formation

Stage after capacitation leading to fertilization.

Leukocyte Infiltration

Immune response in reproductive tract post-insemination.

Estradiol Effects

Promotes leukocyte delivery during female estrus.

Genetic Improvement

Using superior sires to enhance offspring quality.

Disease Control

Minimizing disease transmission through artificial insemination.

Record Keeping

Improved tracking of breeding and reproductive data.

Sex-Sorted Semen

Semen separated by sex for targeted breeding.

Insemination Gun Manipulation

Technique for delivering semen into female tract.

Interdigitating Prominences

Cervical structure aiding in sperm retention.

Sperm Loss Percentage

>60% sperm lost within 12 hours post-AI.

Semen Deposited in Uterine Horns

Lower sperm loss compared to cervix deposition.

Artificial Insemination Disadvantages

Requires trained personnel and estrus detection.

Rapid transport phase

Initial sperm movement due to muscularis contractions.

Sustained transport phase

Continuous sperm movement via cervix and isthmus.

Oviducts

Location where sperm can be found shortly after insemination.

Sperm docking

Attachment to oviductal epithelium enhances sperm viability.

Uterotubal junction

Site where sperm first dock in the oviduct.

Prostaglandins

Compounds in semen that enhance uterine and oviduct tone.

Cervical mucus types

Two mucus types affect sperm passage through cervix.

Sulfomucin

Viscous mucus that washes sperm out of the tract.

Sialomucin

Low viscosity mucus allowing sperm to navigate deeper.

Capacitation

Process enabling sperm to achieve fertilization capability.

Epididymis

Site where sperm gain maturity before fertilization.

Privileged pathways

Deeper cervical crypts facilitating sperm transport.

Hyperactive motility

Increased motility pattern aiding sperm-oocyte contact.

Zona pellucida

Outer layer of oocyte that sperm must bind to.

Zona-binding proteins

Proteins on sperm membrane essential for zona binding.

ZP1 and ZP2

Proteins providing structural integrity to zona pellucida.

ZP3

Zona protein that sperm specifically binds to.

Cervical crypts

Grooves in cervix that sperm must navigate.

Insemination

Process of depositing sperm into the female reproductive tract.

Sperm viability

Ability of sperm to survive after insemination.

Fluid secretion

Acts as a vehicle for sperm transport in the tract.

Motility pattern change

Sperm motility alters as capacitation progresses.

Primary zona binding region

Spermatozoa adherence to zona pellucida.

Acrosome reaction promoting region

ZP3 binding initiates acrosomal reaction.

Acrosomal reaction

Fusion of sperm plasma and acrosomal membranes.

Vesiculation

Formation of vesicles during membrane fusion.

Acrosin

Enzyme that hydrolyzes zona proteins.

Perivitelline space

Space between zona pellucida and oocyte membrane.

Fusion protein

Protein enabling sperm-oocyte membrane fusion.

Cortical granules

Granules that release contents post-fusion.

Zona block

Prevents further sperm penetration after fusion.

Polyspermy

Condition of multiple sperm fertilizing an oocyte.

Male pronucleus

Sperm nucleus that decondenses in oocyte.

Syngamy

Fusion of male and female pronuclei.

Zygote

Fertilized egg formed from sperm and oocyte.

Superfecundation

Offspring from multiple sires in one estrus.

Fertile life of sperm

Duration sperm remains fertilizing capable in females.

Bitch sperm lifespan

Fertile for 9-11 days in female tract.

Cow sperm lifespan

Fertile for 1.5-2 days in female tract.

Mare sperm lifespan

Fertile for 4-5 days in female tract.

Woman sperm lifespan

Fertile for 5-6 days in female tract.

Capacitation

Process enabling sperm to fertilize oocyte.

Estrus detection

Critical for timing copulation in agriculture.

Semen deposition sites

Locations where semen is deposited in species.

Sequence of events post-semen deposition

Steps following sperm entry into female tract.