Hossain A M, Barik S, Rizk B, Kulkarni P M, Thorneycroft I H
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688, USA.
Biol Reprod. 1999 Aug;61(2):406-10. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod61.2.406.
Spermatozoa are required to travel a considerable distance in vivo to meet the oocyte at the fertilization site. However, none of the existing in vitro tests critically evaluates migration of sperm to assess their potential of reaching the oocyte. On the other hand, an in vivo model is not suitable for this type of study because of ethical and technical constraints. In the present study we utilized a horizontal column technique to analyze sperm migration. Migratory characteristics of fresh, unwashed semen sperm and sperm undergoing various treatments were examined in vitro using a Petri dish-based horizontal fluid column. The procedure involved loading a sperm sample into the column and determining sperm concentration, motility, and viability at different column segments for different migration durations (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h). All sperm samples produced an exponential migration pattern in all durations of migration. Propagation along the column edge, tendency to exit from the column, and hiding in the blind pouches were some of the important characteristic features exhibited by the migratory sperm. Variations in migration patterns were documented among semen donors, between fresh and frozen semen, and between washed and unwashed sperm. Prolonged postejaculation time diminished migratory potential. The recovery of sperm in the column end was independent of seminal variables with the exception of oligozoospermia. These observations suggest that the Petri dish-based horizontal column is effective for analyzing sperm migration characteristics for prolonged periods. The potential of this migration assay in predicting the in vivo potential of spermatozoa to reach the fertilization site will be worth exploring.
精子在体内需要游动相当长的距离才能在受精部位与卵母细胞相遇。然而，现有的体外试验均未对精子的迁移进行严格评估，以评估其到达卵母细胞的潜力。另一方面，由于伦理和技术限制，体内模型不适用于此类研究。在本研究中，我们利用水平柱技术分析精子迁移。使用基于培养皿的水平流体柱在体外检查新鲜、未洗涤精液精子以及经过各种处理的精子的迁移特征。该过程包括将精子样本加载到柱中，并在不同的迁移持续时间（6、12、24、48和72小时）下，测定不同柱段的精子浓度、活力和存活率。所有精子样本在所有迁移持续时间内均呈现指数迁移模式。沿柱边缘传播、从柱中退出的倾向以及隐藏在盲袋中是迁移精子表现出的一些重要特征。在精液供体之间、新鲜精液和冷冻精液之间以及洗涤精子和未洗涤精子之间记录到迁移模式的差异。射精后时间延长会降低迁移潜力。除少精子症外，柱端精子的回收率与精液变量无关。这些观察结果表明，基于培养皿的水平柱对于长时间分析精子迁移特征是有效的。这种迁移试验在预测精子到达受精部位的体内潜力方面的潜力值得探索。
