In vitro fertilization of hamster eggs by ejaculated or epididymal spermatozoa in the presence of male accessory secretions.

In vitro fertilization of hamster eggs by ejaculated or epididymal spermatozoa in the presence of seminal plasma or male accessory gland secretions was examined. There was no difference in the penetration rates, the time of sperm penetration and the optimal sperm concentration between ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa. The swelling of the zona pellucida, a high incidence of polyspermy, distortion of the vitellus and the degeneration of eggs were observed after incubation of ejaculated or epididymal spermatozoa in the presence of seminal plasma or accessory gland secretions. Using ejaculated spermatozoa, the fertilization rates of eggs with or without follicular cells were similar but fertilization by epididymal spermatozoa was inhibited by secretion of the seminal vesicle or ventral prostrate gland but not by that of the coagulating gland or the dorsal prostrate.