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13 February 2015

Speedy Sperm

From ejaculation to fertilisation, sperm cells embark on an adventure, moving along the walls of the uterus and cervix until they reach their prize: an egg cell in the oviduct. Not only do sperm have to travel a relatively huge distance to reach the egg, they also have to swim through fluids of variable speeds and thicknesses. Researchers set up an ‘assault course’, where, using a technique called microfluidics, they saw the travelling in action. They observed sperm wiggling in a spiral motion upstream, avoiding the centre of the tubes where flow was fastest. When exposed to thicker fluids, sperm turn and quickly readjust to the flow – seen here as an arc-shaped track. Sperm also grouped together, working collectively to swim faster, rather than in competition with each other. These observations provide new insights into the fertilisation process and could help with the design of more effective artificial insemination methods.

Written by Katie Panteli

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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