Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by epithelial cells in the vagina of the lizard Hemidactylus mabouia (Reptilia, Squamata)

Abstract

Hemidactylus mabouia is an Africa oviparous lizard that is now distributed on other continents and has been introduced to Brazil. In the majority of reptiles, the females have the ability to store spermatozoa in specialized regions of the genital tract. Considering that in H. mabouia the storage of spermatozoa is restricted to the region of the uterine tube, in this study we utilized optical and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the processes related to the large number of spermatozoa in the vagina. Although it was possible to visualize spermatozoa in the vagina, an ultrastructural analysis of the region revealed that significant phagocytosis occurs, which is mediated by the epithelial cells. Such a process indicates that the anterior portion of the vagina is related to the elimination of supernumerary or deficient spermatozoa and not storage.