The Transport of Spermatozoa in the Rabbit Doe Before and After Ovulation

Abstract

The number of spermatozoa in the fallopian tubes and in the uterus was recorded at 2, 3, and 4 hr P08t coitum (p.c.) in two groups of rabbits mated about 10 hr before (group A) or about 3 hr after ovulation (group B). Mean numbers of spermatozoa recovered from the fallopian tubes 2, 3, or 4 hr after mating tended to be greater in group B than in group A (P < O· 4, P < 0 '1, and P < 0'4, respectively). However, the ratio of the number of spermatozoa in the fallopian tubes to the number in the uterus was significantly higher in group B than in group A animals (P < 0'001); In rabbits killed 2 hr p.c., four of the six in group B but none of the six in group A had spermatozoa in the ampullae of the fallopian tubes. The results indicate that the rate of spermatozoan transport in the mated female is higher after than before ovulation.