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Title: NEW OBSERVATIONS ON OVIDUCTAL SPERM STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND SELECTION IN TURKEYS: RELEVANCE TO ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION TECHNOLOGY

Author
item Bakst, Murray
item Long, Julie

Submitted to: Midwest Poultry Federation Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/13/2007
Publication Date: 3/13/2007
Citation: Bakst, M.R., Long, J.A. 2007. New observations on oviductal sperm storage, transport and selection in turkeys: relevance to artificial insemination technology. Midwest Poultry Federation Proceedings. Published in CD-ROM format pp. 153-155.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Increased fundamental knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating oviductal sperm transport, selection and storage will provide logical, science-based approaches (versus an exclusively empirical approach) toward the development of novel semen diluent formulation and semen storage techniques. Recently, we have examined not only on how sperm survive in the uterovaginal junction (UVJ) sperm-storage tubules (SST), but the role of highly specialized newly discovered cells in the vaginal epithelium. These cells, which have been tentatively identified as non-neuronal endocrine cells (NEC) may influence sperm metabolism and motility in the vagina through their secretory activities. The NEC are found in the intestinal epithelium of mammals and aves, and are more commonly referred to as enterochromaffin cells. Their major secretory product is the neurotransmitter serotonin. In the following report, we will briefly review some of our findings and speculate on their possible implications to artificial insemination (AI) technology.