Microgrooves and fluid flows provide preferential passageways for sperm over pathogen Tritrichomonas foetus.

ABSTRACT: Successful mammalian reproduction requires that sperm migrate through a long and convoluted female reproductive tract before reaching oocytes. For many years, fertility studies have focused on biochemical and physiological requirements of sperm. Here we show that the biophysical environment of the female reproductive tract critically guides sperm migration, while at the same time preventing the invasion of sexually transmitted pathogens. Using a microfluidic model, we demonstrate that a gentle fluid flow and microgrooves, typically found in the female reproductive tract, synergistically facilitate bull sperm migration toward the site of fertilization. In contrast, a flagellated sexually transmitted bovine pathogen, Tritrichomonas foetus, is swept downstream under the same conditions. We at

SUBMITTER: Tung CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4418881 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature