A review of the mechanism of the release of spermatozoa from storage tubules in the fowl and turkey oviduct

SummaryThe lack of contractile elements in association with the sperm-host glands indicates that contraction of the tubular glandular structures is unlikely to be the mechanism by which spermatozoa are released. Furthermore, secretory activity of the tubules, hormonal action upon them or a terminal swelling phenomenon have not been shown to be involved with release of spermatozoa from these glands. However, it has been shown that spermatozoa release apparently is not restricted to the time of oviposition or ovulation, or both. Also the physical passage of an egg from the avian storage tubules in the UV region of the hen's oviduct for the fertilization of successively laid ova. Spermatozoa release in avian domestic species appears to be a most complex phenomenon, attributable to no one factor, and its elucidation to date remains unknown.