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Two-dimensional slither swimming of sperm within a micrometre of a surface

Author

Listed:
  • Reza Nosrati

    (University of Toronto)

  • Amine Driouchi

    (University of Toronto
    Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto)

  • Christopher M. Yip

    (University of Toronto
    Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto
    University of Toronto)

  • David Sinton

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

Sperm motion near surfaces plays a crucial role in fertilization, but the nature of this motion has not been resolved. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we selectively imaged motile human and bull sperm located within one micron of a surface, revealing a distinct two-dimensional (2D) ‘slither’ swimming mode whereby the full cell length (50–80 μm) is confined within 1 μm of a surface. This behaviour is distinct from bulk and near-wall swimming modes where the flagellar wave is helical and the head continuously rotates. The slither mode is intermittent (∼1 s, ∼70 μm), and in human sperm, is observed only for viscosities over 20 mPa·s. Bull sperm are slower in this surface-confined swimming mode, owing to a decrease in their flagellar wave amplitude. In contrast, human sperm are ∼50% faster—suggesting a strategy that is well suited to the highly viscous and confined lumen within the human fallopian tube.

Suggested Citation

  • Reza Nosrati & Amine Driouchi & Christopher M. Yip & David Sinton, 2015. "Two-dimensional slither swimming of sperm within a micrometre of a surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9703
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9703
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    Cited by:

    1. Rong Tan & Xiong Yang & Haojian Lu & Yajing Shen, 2024. "One-step formation of polymorphous sperm-like microswimmers by vortex turbulence-assisted microfluidics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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