Curvature in the reproductive tract alters sperm-surface interactions

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 8;12(1):3446. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23773-x.

Abstract

The fallopian tube is lined with a highly complex folded epithelium surrounding a lumen that progressively narrows. To study the influence of this labyrinthine complexity on sperm behavior, we use droplet microfluidics to create soft curved interfaces over a range of curvatures corresponding to the in vivo environment. We reveal a dynamic response mechanism in sperm, switching from a progressive surface-aligned motility mode at low curvatures (larger droplets), to an aggressive surface-attacking mode at high curvatures (smaller droplets of <50 µm-radius). We show that sperm in the attacking mode swim ~33% slower, spend 1.66-fold longer at the interface and have a 66% lower beating amplitude than in the progressive mode. These findings demonstrate that surface curvature within the fallopian tube alters sperm motion from a faster surface aligned locomotion in distal regions to a prolonged physical contact with the epithelium near the site of fertilization, the latter being known to promote capacitation and fertilization competence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cattle
  • Epithelium / anatomy & histology
  • Fallopian Tubes / anatomy & histology
  • Female
  • Genitalia, Female / anatomy & histology*
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Sperm Motility / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Time Factors