[In vivo imaging of ram spermatozoa in the ewe genital tract using fibered confocal microscopy]

Abstract

Sperm transit in the female tract is one of the key factors in the success of fertilization after artificial insemination in sheep species. However, its study is limited by the absence of in vivo imaging methods. The imaging of ram sperm in the female genital tract was made possible using the confocal fibered microscopy and fluorescent stains adapted to spermatozoa. Our results show the active role of the uterotubal junction in the selection of sperm during their transit.