Sperm recovery from oviducts of turkeys at known intervals after insemination and oviposition

Abstract

To determine whether there is a relationship between oviposition time and the release of spermatozoa from the uterovaginal junction-sperm-host glands (UVJ-SHG), oviducal segments from turkey hens were isolated and washed immediately or 8-12 and 18-22 h after oviposition on Days 1, 2, 3 and 10-13 after artificial insemination. Spermatozoa were found in nearly all segments at all times examined, indicating that sperm release from the UVJ-SHG of the turkey is probably continuous or episodic and not exclusively associated with oviposition and ovulation. Alternatively, spermatozoa may be released at specific times of the daily ovulatory cycle and ascend variable distances between the UVJ and infundibulum. The finding that greater numbers of spermatozoa were recovered from the distal infundibulum and proximal magnum than from than from other segments supports suggestions that these regions act as sperm storage sites. Significantly greater numbers of spermatozoa were recovered from oviducts without an ovum than from oviducts containing an ovum, indicating that an oviducal ovum either sequesters luminal spermatozoa or slightly inhibits sperm release from the UVJ-SHG.