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Sperm-uterine interactions: a review.
Abstract: The uterus of domestic animals, including the horse, has a dual role in the interaction of the uterus and sperm. On one hand, uterine contractions carry sperm toward the oviduct, and on the other hand the uterus eliminates excessive sperm. The selection of sperm for the small numbers of "good" cells that gain access to the oviduct and for the majority of sperm that will be destroyed takes place in the uterus. The sperm-uterine interaction works both ways; sperm and seminal plasma also have several effects on the uterus. Sperm and seminal plasma probably provoke uterine contractions. Sperm induce leukocytosis in the equine uterus by activating complement. Seminal plasma has immuno-suppressive effects in the uterus. The sperm-uterine interaction can be modified by the type of the inseminate: concentration, numbers, motility/viability of sperm, volume, and absence or presence of seminal plasma. In mares, relaxation of the cervix, myometrial contractions, lymphatic drainage, and stallion contact affect elimination of sperm.
Publication Date: 2001-12-18 PubMed ID: 11744270DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00162-2Google 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.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article discusses the relationship between sperm and the uterus in domestic animals, focusing on how the process enables the selection and transportation of healthy sperm cells towards the oviduct while eliminating excess sperm. The article highlights how factors such as the composition of the semen and the physical characteristics of the uterus can influence this interaction.
Sperm-Uterine Interactions
- The uterus serves two primary roles in the sperm-uterine interactions. It primarily
helps in the transportation of sperm towards the oviduct while also eliminating
excessive numbers of sperm. - The process within the uterus also allows for the selection of viable sperm cells
that can successfully fertilize an egg. This selection process happens
within the uterus, distinguishing between the small number of healthy sperm cells
and the majority of cells that will be disposed of.
Effects of Sperm and Seminal Plasma on the Uterus
- The interactions between sperm, seminal plasma, and the uterus are bilateral. Both
sperm and seminal plasma have impacts on the uterus. - Sperm and seminal plasma are thought to stimulate uterine contractions, necessary
for the transportation of sperm towards the oviduct. - Sperm also initiate a response in the uterus called leukocytosis by activating a
system known as the complement. Leukocytosis is an increase in the number of
white blood cells, typically in response to infections. - Seminal plasma is also mentioned to have immunosuppressive impacts on the uterus.
Influence of Inseminate Type on Sperm-Uterine Interaction
- The type of inseminate – including factors such as sperm concentration and number,
sperm motility and viability, and the volume and presence or absence of seminal
plasma – can modulate the sperm-uterine interaction.
Factors Affecting Sperm Elimination in Mares
- Lastly, the paper outlines factors that impact the elimination process of sperm
in mares, which includes the relaxation of the cervix, myometrial contractions,
lymphatic drainage and stallion contact.
Cite This Article
APA
Katila T.
(2001).
Sperm-uterine interactions: a review.
Anim Reprod Sci, 68(3-4), 267-272.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00162-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, FIN-04920 Saarentaus, Finland. tkatila@saari.vetmed.helsinki.fi
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Insemination / physiology
- Male
- Sperm Motility / physiology
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Uterine Contraction / physiology
- Uterus / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 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.
- Nash DM, Paddison J, Davies Morel MCG, Barnea ER. Preimplantation factor modulates acute inflammatory responses of equine endometrium. Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov;4(4):351-356.
- Ross KA, Kolb DS, Macedo A, Anderson M, Klein C. Seminal plasma does not aid in the transport of phenolsulfonphthalein across the uterotubal junction in mares. Can Vet J 2018 Sep;59(9):988-992.
- Müller-Unterberg M, Wallmann S, Distl O. Effects of inbreeding and other systematic effects on fertility of Black Forest Draught horses in Germany. Acta Vet Scand 2017 Oct 18;59(1):70.
- Mattei AL, Riccio ML, Avila FW, Wolfner MF. Integrated 3D view of postmating responses by the Drosophila melanogaster female reproductive tract, obtained by micro-computed tomography scanning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015 Jul 7;112(27):8475-80.
- Avila FW, Wolfner MF. Acp36DE is required for uterine conformational changes in mated Drosophila females. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Sep 15;106(37):15796-800.
- Cary JA, Madill S, Farnsworth K, Hayna JT, Duoos L, Fahning ML. A comparison of electroejaculation and epididymal sperm collection techniques in stallions. Can Vet J 2004 Jan;45(1):35-41.
- Dohadwala S, Shah P, Farrell MK, Politch JA, Marathe J, Costello CE, Anderson DJ. Sialidases derived from Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella timonensis remodel the sperm glycocalyx and impair sperm function. bioRxiv 2025 Sep 16;.
- Aniballi C, Elmi A, Govoni N, Bulla T, Canelli E, Casalini A, Bacci ML, Ventrella D. Influence of age and seasonality on boar seminal plasma steroids quantification: A preliminary study. Vet World 2023 Oct;16(10):2150-2157.
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