Role of fluid from seminal vesicles and coagulating glands in sperm transport into the uterus and fertility in rats

Abstract

The relationship between the quantity of seminal vesicle secretion in the ejaculate, the percentage of spermatozoa reaching the uterus and fertility was studied in rats. Different portions of seminal vesicles were removed from male rats; 15 min after coitus (day 0), the numbers of spermatozoa in the uterus and vagina were counted and the vaginal plug characteristics were noted. Fertility was evaluated by the number of fetuses on day 14. A gradual decrease in the percentage of spermatozoa in the uterus was positively related to the reduction in seminal vesicle secretion, estimated by plug weight. This decline was not caused by a delay in sperm transport to the uterine lumen and the results suggested that the spermatozoa that fail to enter the uterus in the first minutes after coitus never enter. The vaginal plug weight, which is related to the seminal vesicle weight, and the position of the plug, which must be firmly lodged into the cervical opening, seem to be the most important conditions for promoting the rapid passage of spermatozoa into the uterus. When the seminal vesicles were partially removed, the plug was not tightly lodged and formed a 'cup' filled with spermatozoa. The number of fetuses did not show a close correlation with the quantity of seminal vesicle secretion. Studies of males in which the seminal vesicles had been removed indicated that a normal number of fetuses can be obtained despite low numbers of spermatozoa reaching the uterus. Ablation of the coagulating glands showed that, when there is no vaginal plug, no spermatozoa reach the uterus and fertility is suppressed. Nevertheless, the complete removal of coagulating glands is difficult; when small portions of these glands remain, the vaginal plug is formed and then fertility is achieved.