Localization of aquaporins in the sperm storage tubules in the turkey oviduct

Poult Sci. 2004 Jul;83(7):1209-12. doi: 10.1093/ps/83.7.1209.

Abstract

Oviductal sperm storage tubules (SST), located at the uterovaginal junction, are the primary site of sperm storage in turkeys. Sperm reside within these storage sites and may be released via a dynamic interaction between sperm mobility and a fluid current generated by the SST epithelial cells. In this study, aquaporins 2, 3, and 9 (proteins that form water channels in the plasmalemma of a variety of cells) were immunocytochemically localized within the apical aspect of the epithelial cells that form the SST. These observations support the contention that the SST epithelial cells are capable of water exchange that may interact with sperm residing within the SST.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaporin 2
  • Aquaporin 3
  • Aquaporins / analysis*
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ion Channels / analysis
  • Male
  • Oviducts / anatomy & histology*
  • Oviducts / chemistry*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Turkeys* / anatomy & histology

Substances

  • Aquaporin 2
  • Aquaporins
  • Ion Channels
  • Aquaporin 3