Figure 3.
Evaluation of Spata3 KO male fertility. (a). Evaluation of in vivo fertility. WT females were mated with WT or KO males to evaluate their capacity to fertilize in vivo. After an overnight mating, vaginal plugs were checked. Litter size was counted after 3 weeks of gestation. Mean litter size ±SEM. Numbers between brackets indicate the numbers of litters. (b). Evaluation of in vitro fertility. The fertilization rate (or mean percentage ±SEM of fertilized eggs) was assessed by cumulus-intact IVF assay at 106 (WT and KO) sperm per ml. It was decreased between oocytes inseminated by KO sperm compared to WT. Numbers between brackets indicate the numbers of oocytes. (c). Evaluation of in vitro fertility. The fertilization index (or mean ± SEM of sperm number fused by egg) was assessed by zona-free IVF assay at 105 (WT or KO) sperm per ml. It was decreased between oocytes inseminated by KO sperm compared to WT. Numbers between brackets indicate the numbers of oocytes. Experiments were repeated at least three times. **** p < 0.0001.