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First published online June 26, 2009
Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 2215-2223 (2009)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2009
doi: 10.1242/jeb.028266

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A study of synchronisation between the flagella of bull spermatozoa, with related observations

David M. Woolley^1,*, Rachel F. Crockett¹, William D. I. Groom¹ and Stuart G. Revell²

¹ Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
² Genus Breeding, Llanrhydd, Ruthin, Clwyd LL15 2UP, UK

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: d.m.woolley{at}bristol.ac.uk)

Accepted 19 April 2009

Flagellar synchronisation has been observed between bull spermatozoa as they swam in a viscous medium, confined to a glass surface. This process is of interest in understanding the regulation of flagellar oscillation in general. Exact and persisting synchrony between bull spermatozoa occurred only when the spermatozoan heads were tightly coupled mechanically. For these cells, viscous coupling between the flagella was not by itself sufficient to establish synchronisation. Immediately on synchronisation, with the spermatozoan heads superposed, the paired spermatozoa showed rises in conjoint beat frequency, wave velocity and swimming velocity, i.e. in nearly all cases, the new conjoint values were greater than those shown by either of the two singleton spermatozoa. In our interpretation of these results, we put forward hydrodynamic arguments for seeing the primary change as a rise in wave velocity, via a decreased viscous resistance to bend propagation. Mechanistically, the rise in beat frequency is mysterious unless, as we suggest, it is consequential to the rise in wave velocity, and mediated by an as-yet-unknown mechanical feedback process. The rise in swimming velocity is not surprising given the rise in wave velocity but there is evidence for an additional influence due to a subtle re-orientation of the conjoint spermatozoan heads, such that they experienced less frictional drag.

Key words: flagellum, synchronisation, beat frequency, spermatozoan motility, bull

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