The survival and transport to the site of fertilization of diploid rabbit spermatozoa.

The possible involvement of diploid spermatozoa in the production of triploid zygotes in the rabbit has been investigated in terms of the success of diploids relative to haploids in reaching the site of fertilization, with special reference to any possible selectivity of sperm transport within the female tract. The observed large significant reduction in the incidence of diploid spermatozoa between the ejaculate and the oviducts would greatly reduce the chances of, but not necessarily prevent, a diploid spermatozoon fertilizing an egg. This reduction appears to be due to a combination of the reduced survival of diploids in the female tract and a selectivity of sperm transport dependent on sperm motility.