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Cited by 148Sperm and Testicular FunctionReproductive Health and TechnologiesReproductive Biology and Fertility

Physiology: Sperm numbers and distribution within the human Fallopian tube around ovulation

Williams, M., Hill, C.J., Scudamore, I., Dunphy, B., Cooke, I.D., Barratt, C.L.R.·1993·Human Reproduction
DOI 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137975
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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the number and distribution of spermatozoa within the human Fallopian tubes around ovulation. Parous women, undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy for menorrhagia, were inseminated with either partner's semen (3/10) or donor semen (7/10). Approximately 18 h later both Fallopian tubes were ligatured into ampullary, isthmic and intramural regions. These were removed and assessed for sperm content by flushing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or homogenization. A median of 251 spermatozoa were recovered (range, 79-1386). The number of spermatozoa within each tube was not significantly different. The ovulatory ampulla contained a significantly (P < or = 0.01) larger percentage of spermatozoa than the non-ovulatory ampulla. The number of motile spermatozoa inseminated was not significantly correlated to the number of spermatozoa recovered, but a trend was identified. The time between the onset of the luteinizing hormone surge and hysterectomy was significantly correlated (P < or = 0.01) to the number of spermatozoa within the intramural regions, but not to the tubal sperm distribution. Spermatozoa were not observed, by SEM, bound to the tubal epithelium. These data suggest that, after artificial insemination at least, sperm access to the human Fallopian tube may be controlled, but that ovulation does not affect the redistribution of spermatozoa between tubal regions and that the isthmus does not appear to act specifically as a sperm reservoir.

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  • The non-pregnant uterus is constantly active throughout the reproductive period of life and is subjected to mechanical strain.

    “It became evident that the non-pregnant uterus is constantly active throughout the reproductive period of life and thereby, like other mechanically active organs of the body such as the skeletal and the cardiovascular systems, respectively, rather inevitably subjected to mechanical strain.”

    From The pathophysiology of endometriosis and adenomyosis, tissue injury and repair (2009) · cites this paper as [14]

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Authors
Williams, M., Hill, C. J., Scudamore, I., Dunphy, B., Cooke, I. D., & Barratt, C. L. R.
Affiliations
  • Jessop Hospital (GB)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • Foothills Medical Centre (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Human Reproduction
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
1993-12
Volume
8
Issue
12
Pages
2019-2026
ISSN
  • 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2350
DOI
10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137975
OpenAlex
W2290612479
Cited by
148
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Discovery Research Portal (University of Dundee) (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Keywords
spermatozoa, oviduct, ovulation, sperm distribution, ampulla, isthmus, luteinizing hormone surge, artificial insemination, donor semen, parous women, sperm motility
MeSH terms
Adult, Fallopian Tubes, Female, Humans, Hysterectomy, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Ovulation, Secretory Rate, Sperm Count, Sperm Transport

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