Fate of Surplus Sperm in the Fallopian Tube of the White Mouse

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Abstract
Phagocytosis of surplus sperm in the isthmus of the fallopian tube of the white mouse, 15-22 hours after coitus, was studied after serial sectioning of the entire oviduct. No active phagocytic cells were found in the epithelial lining of the intramural portion of the oviduct. The main site of phagocytosis was the epithelial layer of the caudal loops of the isthmus of the fallopian tube. In some regions, the lumen of the isthmus was filled with various kinds of cellular debris among which large numbers of sperm were trapped. But even in these areas no spermatozoon in an advanced stage of degeneration could be seen. The complete process of phagocytosis of the sperm in the female seemed to occur very slowly. Although a few spermatozoa could already be seen within the epithelial cells shortly after coitus, they showed no sign of degeneration. But 18-22 hours later they were in such advanced stages of degeneration that it was not possible to discern them at the optical microscope level. The sperm head, the most resistant structure, was found to be intact whenever present in a section. The coarse fibers were more resistant than the axonemal complex and fibrous sheath. The epithelial cells of the ampulla and fimbria did not show phagocytic activity. We concluded that phagocytosis probably constitutes the main route of elimination of those surplus spermatozoa which had already entered the isthmus of the fallopian tube but did not take part in fertilization.

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