Gamete Transport

Question 1

What macromolecule can sperm not synthesize and why?

Answer 1

1. Protein.
2. They lack an endoplasmic reticulum.

Question 2

What occurs during the acquisition of fertilizing ability and mobility?

Answer 2

1. Addition or loss of the plasma membrane proteins and lipids.
2. Redistribution of lipids and proteins within sperm.
   * Makes the plasma membrane more stable.

Question 3

What occurs when the decapitation factor (DF) is added to the sperm?

Answer 3

Temporarily stabilizes the plasma membrane.
*Can be a protein, glycoprotein, or lipid.

Question 4

What does the sperm of anterior vagina depositors contain?

Answer 4

Either a coagulation factor or a high sperm concentration.

Question 5

What are the steps after semen deposition in the female?

Answer 5

1. Immediate transport.
2. Cervix.
3. Uterus.
4. Oviduct.
5. Fertilization.

Question 6

What occurs during the immediate transport step?

Answer 6

1. Retrograde loss.
2. Phagocytosis.
3. Some sperm enters the cervix/uterus.

Question 7

What occurs during the cervix step?

Answer 7

1. The “privileged-pathway” of sperm.
2. Removal of non-motile sperm.
3. Removal of abnormal sperm.

Question 8

What occurs during the uterus step?

Answer 8

1. Capacitation initiated.
2. Phagocytosis.

Question 9

What occurs during the oviduct step?

Answer 9

1. Capacitation is completed.
2. Hyperactive motility.

Question 10

What occurs during the fertilization step?

Answer 10

1. Acrosome reaction.
2. Spermatozoon penetrates the ooccyte.
3. Male and female pronuclei form.

Question 11

What initiated the neutrophil infiltration of the uterus?

Answer 11

The sperm (dead or alive).

Question 12

What is post-breeding endometritis?

Answer 12

Inflammation of the endometrium from breeding.

Question 13

What is a post-breeding lavage?

Answer 13

Flushing the uterus with fluid.

Question 14

How long does it take sperm to travel from the uterus to the isthmus?

Answer 14

6-12 hours.

Question 15

How long does sperm stay docked in the isthmus?

Answer 15

18-24 hours.

Question 16

How long does it take sperm to travel from the isthmus to the AIJ once signaled?

Answer 16

1-2 hours.

Question 17

What occurs during the rapid transport phase?

Answer 17

Sperm reaches the oviduct within minutes of copulation due to reproductive tract contractions.
*Capaciatation has not happened yet.

Question 18

In what direction does mucus flow relative to sperm?

Answer 18

In the opposite direction.

Question 19

What are the two types of mucus?

Answer 19

1. Sulfomucin.
2. Sialomucin.

Question 20

Where are sulfomucins found?

Answer 20

On the tips of the annular rings.*

*Bovine example.

Question 21

Where are sialomucins found?

Answer 21

In the crypts of the cervix.

Question 22

Where does low motility/dead sperm get filtered out?

Answer 22

In the high-viscosity sulfomucins and are flushed out.

Question 23

Where does high-motility sperm get filtered out?

Answer 23

The high-viscosity sialomucins in the crypts.

Question 24

What do the uterotubal junctions select for?

Answer 24

Normal morphology and good motility.

Question 25

How many days after ovulation does the uterotubal junction remain closed?

Answer 25

3-5 days.

Question 26

What is the fluid flow in the oviduct opposed by?

Answer 26

Muscle contractions and cilia moving in the opposite direction.