Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids
Abstract We have numerically investigated sperm clustering behaviours, modelling cells as superpositions of regularised flow singularities, coarse-grained from experimentally obtained digital microscopy of human sperm, both in watery medium and a highly viscous–weakly elastic, methylcellulose medium...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33584-8 |
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| author | Kenta Ishimoto Eamonn A. Gaffney |
| author_facet | Kenta Ishimoto Eamonn A. Gaffney |
| author_sort | Kenta Ishimoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract We have numerically investigated sperm clustering behaviours, modelling cells as superpositions of regularised flow singularities, coarse-grained from experimentally obtained digital microscopy of human sperm, both in watery medium and a highly viscous–weakly elastic, methylcellulose medium. We find that the cell yaw and cell pulling dynamics inhibit clustering in low viscosity media. In contrast clustering is readily visible in simulations modelling sperm within a methylcellulose medium, in line with previous observations that bovine sperm clustering is much more prominent in a rheological polyacrylamide medium. Furthermore, the fine-scale details of sperm flagellar movement substantially impact large-scale collective behaviours, further motivating the need for the digital microscopy and characterization of sperm to understand their dynamics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T21:17:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e9a3a09029894996b5ce36a92df5007e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T21:17:51Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-e9a3a09029894996b5ce36a92df5007e2022-12-21T19:26:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222018-10-018111110.1038/s41598-018-33584-8Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic FluidsKenta Ishimoto0Eamonn A. Gaffney1Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of OxfordWolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of OxfordAbstract We have numerically investigated sperm clustering behaviours, modelling cells as superpositions of regularised flow singularities, coarse-grained from experimentally obtained digital microscopy of human sperm, both in watery medium and a highly viscous–weakly elastic, methylcellulose medium. We find that the cell yaw and cell pulling dynamics inhibit clustering in low viscosity media. In contrast clustering is readily visible in simulations modelling sperm within a methylcellulose medium, in line with previous observations that bovine sperm clustering is much more prominent in a rheological polyacrylamide medium. Furthermore, the fine-scale details of sperm flagellar movement substantially impact large-scale collective behaviours, further motivating the need for the digital microscopy and characterization of sperm to understand their dynamics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33584-8Sperm ClustersLinear Maxwell FluidFlagellum BeatsFull Temporal ResolutionAngular Autocorrelation |
| spellingShingle | Kenta Ishimoto Eamonn A. Gaffney Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids Scientific Reports Sperm Clusters Linear Maxwell Fluid Flagellum Beats Full Temporal Resolution Angular Autocorrelation |
| title | Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids |
| title_full | Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids |
| title_fullStr | Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids |
| title_short | Hydrodynamic Clustering of Human Sperm in Viscoelastic Fluids |
| title_sort | hydrodynamic clustering of human sperm in viscoelastic fluids |
| topic | Sperm Clusters Linear Maxwell Fluid Flagellum Beats Full Temporal Resolution Angular Autocorrelation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33584-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kentaishimoto hydrodynamicclusteringofhumansperminviscoelasticfluids AT eamonnagaffney hydrodynamicclusteringofhumansperminviscoelasticfluids |