Distribution of Spermatozoa in the Rabbit Vas Deferens

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Abstract
To ascertain whether sperm transport through the rabbit vas deferens (vas) takes place during sexual rest, the number of spermatozoa in the ampullary. abdominal and scrotal segments of the vas and in the cauda epididymis was determined after varying periods of sexual rest and following sexual stimulation. Immediately after ejaculation, the abdominal and scrotal portions contained equivalent amounts of spermatozoa. With increasing sexual rest, the total amount of sperm in the vas increased, with the greatest number found in the scrotal section and the least in the ampulla. This gradient in numbers was maintained during sexual rest. After sexual stimulation without ejaculation, the sperm number in the vas greatly increased and was large enough to account for the number of spermatozoa in an ejaculate. A significant shift in the gradient was observed due to increased sperm in the abdominal vas. The results indicate that during sexual rest the spermatozoa which are not stored in the epididymis are transported into and through the vas which maintains a decreasing sperm gradient towards the urethra. During sexual stimulation, spermatozoa are moved from the epididymis into the vas from where they are removed rapidly at ejaculation. The vas deferens subsequently reestablishes the sperm gradient maintained during sexual rest. This implicates the vas as an active organ during sexual inactivity.