Ultrastructural analyses of uterovaginal sperm storage glands of turkey breeder hens

The ultrastructure of the uterovaginal sperm storage glands of turkey hens was characterized. The ultrastructural morphology of these cells was monitored over an entire egg laying season. In addition, comparisons were made between glands from fertile and infertile hens. Based on ultrastructural observations, it was determined that cells of the uterovaginal sperm storage glands exhibit only a moderate level of metabolic activity. The limited presence of intracellular secretory products, along with an infrequently observed cellular release of secretory material, suggested that the effect of glandular secretion on spermatozoal survival was minimal. The density and degree of development of the apical microvilli, however, suggested that a primary function of glandular cells may be absorption of lumenal contents. The length of time that a hen has been producing eggs did not influence the ultrastructure of storage gland cells. The ultrastructural morphology of glands from hens collected immediately prior to commencement of egg production was similar to that of glands taken from hens that had completed an entire season. of egg production. Thus, the uterovaginal sperm glands were fully developed when hens started to lay eggs and remained fully developed for as long as the hens continued to lay. Aside from the observation that very few spermatozoa could be found in the uterovaginal sperm glands of infertile hens, no detectable ultrastructural differences were observed between glands from fertile and infertile hens. The uterovaginal sperm glands from infertile hens were observed to maintain the same degree of structural integrity and level of functionality as glands from fertile hens. Furthermore, there was no evidence of glandular microbial infections, nor was there evidence of an adverse immunological response at the level of the sperm glands.

Name thesis:degree_name

M. S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Poultry Science

Department dc:contributor.department

Poultry Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1983

Author dc:creator

• Schuppin, George T.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/114615

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/114615