Distribution and number of spermatozoa in the oviduct of the golden hamster after natural mating and artificial insemination.

A group of female hamsters was mated with males of proven fertility either several hours before or during ovulation. Another group of females was artificially inseminated several hours before ovulation. Females were killed at various times after the onset of mating or artificial insemination, oviducts were fixed and sectioned serially, and spermatozoa were counted individually as to their location in the oviduct. Regardless of the type or time of insemination, the vast majority of spermatozoa that entered the oviduct remained in the lower segments of the isthmus (the intramural and caudal isthmus) without ascending to the ampulla. The lower segments of the oviduct, particularly the caudal isthmus, appeared to be acting as a "sieve" and/or "sperm reservoir." In females mated or artificially inseminated prior to ovulation, virtually no spermatozoa reached the cephalic isthmus or ampulla until the commencement of ovulation. Although a few spermatozoa reached the ampulla by 1 h after the onset of mating, they were the exception rather than the rule. When females were mated during ovulation, spermatozoa spent a minimum of about 3 h in the caudal isthmus before ascending to the ampulla. The number of spermatozoa that entered the oviduct after artificial insemination was considerably lower than in naturally mated animals, but this low number was apparently large enough to ensure complete fertilization.