Changes in localization and density of CD63-positive exosome-like substances in the hen oviduct with artificial insemination and their effect on sperm viability

•We examined whether exosomes play a role in the survival of sperm in hen oviduct.•Exosome in the cells of sperm storage tubules were decreased when sperm exist.•The viability of sperm was decreased by vaginal exosomes.•But it was not affected by exosomes from utero-vaginal junction where sperm are stored.•Exosomes may be secreted into SST lumen when sperm were stored in SST.

Avian sperm are stored in the sperm storage tubules (SSTs) of the hen oviduct for a prolonged period. However, the precise mechanisms by which sperm are kept alive in the SSTs are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether exosomes are secreted by SST cells and play a role in the survival of sperm. Utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) tissue from approximately 50 wk old White Leghorn hens was collected before (control group) and after intravaginal insemination with seminal plasma (SP group) or semen (AI group). The samples were used to prepare frozen sections and total protein extraction. The localization of the CD63, an exosome marker, was determined by immunohistochemistry and its protein level in the UVJ mucosal tissues was examined by Western blot. Exosomes were isolated from the culture media of UVJ and vaginal mucosa cells by ultracentrifugation and characterized by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The viability and motility of sperm incubated with exosomes were also examined. CD63 was localized in the apical region of UVJ mucosal epithelium cells and SST cells of control, SP, and AI groups. The CD63 protein decreased in SST cells surrounding resident sperm and tended to appear in the SST lumen in the AI group. The protein level of CD63 in UVJ mucosal tissues was significantly higher in the AI group than control. The CD63 protein (approximately 75 kDa) was detected in ultracentrifugation pellets from the culture medium of UVJ and vagina cells. The viability of sperm incubated with 1 μg/μl vaginal exosomes was significantly decreased but was not affected by UVJ exosomes. These results suggest that exosomes were synthesized by SST cells and may be secreted into SST lumen when sperm were stored in SSTs. The role of SST exosomes in sperm storage needs to be examined further.