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Sperm transport and survival in the mare: a review.
Abstract: After the deposition of semen in the mare's uterus, spermatozoa must be transported to the site of fertilization, be maintained in the female tract until ovulation occurs, and be prepared to fertilize the released ovum. Sperm motility, myometrial contractions, and a spontaneous post-mating uterine inflammation are important factors for the transport and survival of spermatozoa in the mare's reproductive tract. Fertilizable sperm are present in the oviduct within 4 h after insemination. At this time, the uterus is the site of a hostile inflammatory environment. Our data suggest that spermatozoa trigger an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the uterine lumen via activation of complement. Furthermore, semen plasma appears to have a modulatory effect on the post-mating inflammation through its suppressive effect on PMN chemotaxis and migration. Spermatozoa that safely have reached the oviduct can be stored in a functional state for several days, but prolonged sperm storage in the female tract is not required for capacitation and fertilization in the horse. The caudal isthmus has been proposed as a sperm reservoir in the mare. The pattern of sperm transport and survival of spermatozoa in the mare's reproductive tract are different between fertile and subfertile stallions, between fertile and some infertile mares, and between fresh and frozen/thawed semen. Possible explanations for these differences include a selective phagocytosis of damaged or dead spermatozoa, impaired myometrial activity in subfertile mares, bio-physiological changes in spermatozoa during cryopreservation, and the removal of semen plasma during cryopreservation of equine semen.
Publication Date: 2000-03-29 PubMed ID: 10734454DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(98)00185-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Corrected and Republished Article
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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This research article explores the journey of sperm through female horse’s reproductive system, highlighting different factors that influence their survival and transport, such as sperm motility, uterine inflammation, and myometrial contractions. The research also investigates how different variables, such as fertility levels and cryopreservation, affect sperm transport and survival.
Understanding Sperm Transport and Survival
- The deposition of semen in the mare’s uterus starts the journey of the sperm to the fertilization site. The sperm must survive and reach this site, maintain its functionality until ovulation occurs and be prepared to fertilize the released ovum.
- Several factors facilitate the transport and survival of the sperm. These include sperm motility which gives sperm the ability to move and reach the fertilization site, the myometrial contractions which help in transporting the sperm, and a spontaneous post-mating uterine inflammation that may also impact sperm mechanics.
- Detection of fertilizable sperm is possible in the oviduct within 4 hours after insemination, at this time, the uterus is under harmful inflammatory conditions.
Role of Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils and Semen Plasma
- The sperm in the female tract triggers an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the uterine lumen via activation of complement. PMNs are a type of white blood cell that fights off infections.
- The plasma from semen appears to modulate this post-mating inflammation by suppressing PMN chemotaxis and migration, thus limiting the severity of inflammation.
Sperm Storage and Factors Influencing Survival
- Once the sperm reach the oviduct, they can stay functional for several days. However, extended storage in the female tract is not a prerequisite for sperm capacitation and horse fertilization.
- The caudal isthmus, a narrow part of the oviduct near the uterus, is believed to serve as a sperm reservoir in the mare.
- Sperm transport and survival patterns exhibit differences between fertile and subfertile stallions, between fertile and infertile mares, and even between fresh and frozen/thawed semen.
Identifying Potential Explanations
- Several potential explanations are proposed for the observed variations, such as selective phagocytosis (process by which cells engulf and destroy others) of damaged or dead sperm, impaired myometrial activity in subfertile mares, and physiological changes in the sperm during cryopreservation (preservation by cooling to sub-zero temperatures).
- The removal of semen plasma during the cryopreservation of equine semen may also affect the sperm survival and transportation.
Cite This Article
APA
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Crabo BG.
(2000).
Sperm transport and survival in the mare: a review.
Theriogenology, 50(5), 807-818.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(98)00185-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chemotactic Factors
- Female
- Fertilization
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Neutrophils / physiology
- Sperm Transport
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Uterine Contraction
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Weber KS, Wagener K, Blanco M, Bauersachs S, Bollwein H. A comparative analysis of the intrauterine transcriptome in fertile and subfertile mares using cytobrush sampling. BMC Genomics 2021 May 22;22(1):377.
- Machado SA, Sharif M, Kadirvel G, Bovin N, Miller DJ. Adhesion to oviduct glycans regulates porcine sperm Ca2+ influx and viability. PLoS One 2020;15(8):e0237666.
- Rink BE, Beyer T, French HM, Watson E, Aurich C, Donadeu FX. The Fate of Autologous Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal Cells After Application in the Healthy Equine Uterus. Stem Cells Dev 2018 Aug 1;27(15):1046-1052.
- Niringiyumukiza JD, Cai H, Xiang W. Prostaglandin E2 involvement in mammalian female fertility: ovulation, fertilization, embryo development and early implantation. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018 May 1;16(1):43.
- Warr S, Pini T, de Graaf SP, Rickard JP. Seminal plasma protects frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa from neutrophil attack: a complement mediated dynamic. Reproduction 2025 Aug 1;170(2).
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