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Investigation of Sperm Transport Failures in Ewes Administered Synthetic Progestagen

U.S. Department of Agriculture,¹ Beltsville, Maryland 20705

Abstract

Mature parous ewes were fed medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) or melengestrol acetate (MGA) between 8 and 25 days after estrus, treated with an intravaginal sponge impregnated with MAP from 8 to 25 days, treated with a "blank" sponge in the vagina until 2 days before estrus, or left as controls. Control ewes were inseminated artificially at a natural estrus, progestagen-fed and "blank sponge" ewes were inseminated at the estrus following treatment, and MAP sponge ewes were inseminated 48 hr. after removal of the sponge. All ewes were killed 24 hr. post-breeding, each segment of the reproductive tract was flushed, and the numbers of intact sperm were counted.

Blank sponges had no detrimental effect on numbers of sperm in the tract. The use of MAP sponges reduced sperm numbers significantly in the oviducts, uterus, cervix and vagina, indicating intensified sperm loss from the reproductive tract. The feeding of progestagen significantly decreased the number of sperm cells in the oviducts and uterus but not in the cervix and vagina, suggesting inhibition of sperm transport mechanisms.

¹ Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S. The Authors express appreciation to Dr. R. G. Zimbelman, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan, for supplying the synthetic progestagens.