Viscous Loading Regulates the Flagellar Energetics of Human and Bull Sperm

Abstract: The viscoelastic properties of the female reproductive tract influence sperm swimming behavior, but the exact role of these rheological changes in regulating sperm energetics remains unknown. Using high‐speed dark‐field microscopy, the flagellar dynamics of free‐swimming sperm across a physiologically relevant range of viscosities is resolved. A transition from 3D to 2D slither swimming under an increased viscous loading is revealed, in the absence of any geometrical or chemical stimuli. This transition is species‐specific, aligning with viscosity variations within each species’ reproductive tract. Despite substantial drag increase, 2D slithering sperm maintain a steady swimming speed across a wide viscosity range (20–250 and 75–1000 mPa s for bull and human sperm) by dissipating over sixfold more energy into the fluid without elevating metabolic activity, potentially by altering the mechanisms of dynein motor activity. This energy‐efficient motility mode is ideally suited for the viscous environment of the female reproductive tract.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Viscous Loading Regulates the Flagellar Energetics of Human and Bull Sperm ; day:22 ; month:12 ; year:2023 ; extent:12 ; Small Methods ; (22.12.2023) (gesamt 12)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Yazdan Parast, Farin ; Veeraragavan, Shibani ; Gaikwad, Avinash S. ; Powar, Sushant ; Prabhakar, Ranganathan ; O'Bryan, Moira K. ; Nosrati, Reza

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300928
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023122314212845416209
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:36 AM CEST