Possible ability of bovine follicular fluid to attract migrating bull spermatozoa.

Aim: To examine the potential of bovine follicular fluid (BFF) to attract bull spermatozoa.

Methods: The ability of the BFF to attract bull sperm was evaluated by observing changes in sperm migration after being placed in a cross-column chamber. The movement parameters of the heads and flagella of the sperm that were attracted to the BFF were analyzed by using the Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis system.

Involvement of calcium channels and intracellular calcium in bull sperm thermotaxis.

Thermotaxis that sperm migrate to higher temperature area has been confirmed in rabbit and human. In this study, we examined the migration ability of bull sperm in a temperature gradient to confirm thermotaxis and elucidate the involvement of calcium in such thermotaxis, as well as the relation between sperm capacitation and bull fertility. Thermotaxis was evaluated in a temperature gradient of 34-42ºC using a cross-type column 22-mm long, 40-mm wide, and 100-μm deep.