Geometry of obstructed pathway regulates upstream navigational pattern of sperm population†

IF 5.4 2区工程技术 Q1 BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS

Lab on a Chip Pub Date : 2025-01-13 DOI:10.1039/D4LC00797B

Ali Karimi, Mohammad Yaghoobi and Alireza Abbaspourrad

{"title":"Geometry of obstructed pathway regulates upstream navigational pattern of sperm population†","authors":"Ali Karimi, Mohammad Yaghoobi and Alireza Abbaspourrad","doi":"10.1039/D4LC00797B","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p >Sperm navigation through the complex microarchitecture of the fallopian tube is essential for successful fertilization. Spatiotemporal structural alteration due to folded epithelium or muscle contractions in the fallopian tube changes the geometry of the sperm pathways. The role of structural complexity in sperm navigational patterns has been investigated for single sperm cells but has not been fully addressed at the population level. Here, we studied the dynamics of the navigation of a bull sperm population through obstructed pathways mimicking the architecture of the female reproductive tract. We observed that slightly tapered barriers enhance navigation by 20% compared to straight pathway; however, tapered barriers with a 90° angle restrict sperm passage. We demonstrated sperm cooperation while passing through a tapered pathway in a low-viscosity medium under elevated shear rates. These findings propose a fresh perspective on how sperm move through the fallopian tube, suggesting that the convoluted pathways' shape influences sperm navigation locally.</p>","PeriodicalId":85,"journal":{"name":"Lab on a Chip","volume":" 4","pages":" 631-643"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/lc/d4lc00797b?page=search","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Lab on a Chip","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/lc/d4lc00797b","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Sperm navigation through the complex microarchitecture of the fallopian tube is essential for successful fertilization. Spatiotemporal structural alteration due to folded epithelium or muscle contractions in the fallopian tube changes the geometry of the sperm pathways. The role of structural complexity in sperm navigational patterns has been investigated for single sperm cells but has not been fully addressed at the population level. Here, we studied the dynamics of the navigation of a bull sperm population through obstructed pathways mimicking the architecture of the female reproductive tract. We observed that slightly tapered barriers enhance navigation by 20% compared to straight pathway; however, tapered barriers with a 90° angle restrict sperm passage. We demonstrated sperm cooperation while passing through a tapered pathway in a low-viscosity medium under elevated shear rates. These findings propose a fresh perspective on how sperm move through the fallopian tube, suggesting that the convoluted pathways' shape influences sperm navigation locally.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

阻塞通道的几何形状调节精子种群的上游航行模式。

精子在输卵管复杂的微结构中导航对成功受精至关重要。由于输卵管上皮折叠或肌肉收缩引起的时空结构改变改变了精子通路的几何形状。结构复杂性在精子导航模式中的作用已经对单个精子细胞进行了研究，但尚未在种群水平上得到充分解决。在这里，我们研究了公牛精子群体通过阻塞通道的动力学，模拟了女性生殖道的结构。我们观察到，与笔直的道路相比，稍微变细的障碍物使导航能力提高了20%；然而，90°角的锥形屏障限制了精子的通过。我们展示了精子在高剪切速率下通过低粘度介质的锥形途径时的合作。这些发现为精子如何通过输卵管提供了一个全新的视角，表明错综复杂的路径形状影响了精子的局部导航。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Lab on a Chip 工程技术-化学综合

CiteScore

11.10

自引率

8.20%

发文量

434

审稿时长

2.6 months

期刊介绍： Lab on a Chip is the premiere journal that publishes cutting-edge research in the field of miniaturization. By their very nature, microfluidic/nanofluidic/miniaturized systems are at the intersection of disciplines, spanning fundamental research to high-end application, which is reflected by the broad readership of the journal. Lab on a Chip publishes two types of papers on original research: full-length research papers and communications. Papers should demonstrate innovations, which can come from technical advancements or applications addressing pressing needs in globally important areas. The journal also publishes Comments, Reviews, and Perspectives.