Influence of the flagellar wave development and propagation on the human sperm movement in seminal plasma

Abstract

Abstract Microcinematographic analysis (50 frames/sec) of the movement of 57 ejaculated human spermatozoa showed a heterogeneity of the flagellar parameters (velocity of the wave development (Vd), velocity of the wave propagation (Vc), beat frequency) corresponding to that of head trajectories (progressive velocity and amplitude of the lateral head displacement). According to our results the interdoublet sliding velocity might control the progressive velocity of the spermatozoa through the wave propagation velocity. The presence of the principal bend on the proximal part of the flagellum (20 μm) might inhibit the initiation of a new wave. The complex relation existing between Vc and Vd seems to indicate that the two velocities are partly independent of one another.