Reduction of epididymal sperm motility after ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus in the rat

Surgical ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus in the rat results in an excessive accumulation of sperm within the cauda epididymidis. The present study examined the effect of ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus on the motility of cauda epididymal spermatozoa. One to 8 weeks after ablation of the inferior mesenteric plexus, sperm curvilinear and straight line swimming velocities were reduced significantly compared with sperm curvilinear and straight line swimming velocities from sham-operated controls. Sperm swimming linearity also changed significantly versus controls after inferior mesenteric plexus ablation. Additional experiments using a vasectomy model suggested that the reductions in sperm curvilinear and straight swimming velocities after inferior mesenteric plexus ablation were not primarily the result of tubal obstruction. These data suggest that the sympathetic nervous system may influence epididymal sperm function.