An investigation on cauda storage of sperm in hamster epididymis

Abstract

Most of the scientific research on epididymal functions of epididymis deal with epididymal sperm maturation but not on sperm storage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the sperm storage time using hamster cauda epididymis of namster. Ligation of epididymal tubule at the junction beween the distal was carried out to determine the storage time. Total spceorrmpu cso uanntd, mthoet ilpitryo, xvimiabaill itcya uadnda morphology of cauda sperm were studied during the storage time. On day 40, the total number or cauda sperms was reduced remarkably (5 x 106 ± 2227/ml). That amount is more than fifty times reduction when compared to that of day 3 (281 x 106 ± 182617). In the experimental groups and control, 3% to 6% of sperm motility was maintained until day 40. By day 3 of post-1 igation, live sperm percentage was 50% and it was decreased to 11.6 ± 4.2% by 40th day of post ligation, of live spermatozoa were found (Dead spermatozoa, 88.3% ± 19.8) and the normal sperm percentage was about 24% in treatment groups and it varied significantly (p < 0.000). Both percentages of viability and motility of spermatozoa of cauda epididymis were decreased when the number of days of post-ligation increased. By day day 32 of post-ligation, 76% of cauda spermatozoa appeared abnormal with head defects, mid piece and neck defects, tail defects, headless, tailless and multiple defects. In conclusion, this study suggests that cauda sperm storage time is more than 40 days. Motility, viability and morphology of these spermatozoa were decreased remarkably during this storage time