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

▶ We observed a large numbers of spermatozoa in the anterior vagina of Hemidactylus mabouia. ▶ We hypothesized sperm storage in this region, although we know that storage in this genus usually occurs in the uterine tube. ▶ The ultrastructural analysis showed an intense process of phagocytosis by the epithelial cells of the vagina, indicating the elimination of supernumerary or defective sperm and discards the storage in that region.