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Understanding Sperm Motility in Changing Environments

Julie Simons (Tulane University), Lisa Fauci (Tulane University), Ricardo Cortez (Tulane University)

Hydrodynamics of Swimming Microorganisms

Tue 2:40 - 4:00

Barus-Holley 191

Drastic changes in motility, coupled to biochemical and structural changes, are essential for sperm to successfully fertilize the oocyte. It is hypothesized that some of these changes in motility are necessary for sperm to escape mucosal folds in the oviduct of many species. There is also evidence that sperm behave cooperatively in some species, helping each other to move more efficiently towards the oocyte. Swimming microorganisms at these scales are characterized by low Reynolds number hydrodynamics governed by the incompressible Stokes equations. Hence, we use the method of regularized Stokeslets to investigate how changes in motility patterns and calcium-dependent behavior may enable swimming sperm to reach the oocyte. We will also discuss the impact that nearby boundaries and swimming neighbors have upon an individual's motion.