The acquisition of fertilization capacity by sperm is regulated by intracellular pH (pH(i)), but the transport pathways that regulate pH(i) are not well understood. Lishko et al. (2010) now report that Hv1, the voltage-sensitive proton channel, is present in human sperm and is an important regulator of the functional maturation of sperm.

The nuclear chromatin decondensation test (NCDT) detects the ability of the sperm chromatin to undergo decondensation following fertilization. The test does not have direct bearing with the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa but only reflects the proportion of sperm that may swell following exposure to in vitro decondensing agents. The gross seminal parameters do not have any direct relatio...

In Xenopus laevis, sperm-egg interaction promotes partial proteolysis and/or tyrosine phosphorylation of uroplakin III (UPIII) and the tyrosine kinase Src, which both localize to the cholesterol-enriched egg membrane microdomains (MDs). Here we show that sperm promote proteolysis and/or tyrosine phosphorylation of UPIII and Src in MDs isolated from ovulated and unfertilized eggs (UF-MDs). An an...

BACKGROUND Sperm membrane integrity is not only important as a barrier between intra- and extra-cellular spaces, but also it can be considered as a sign of DNA integrity. Hypoosmotic swelling test reflects membrane integrity and has been used to evaluate sperm quality. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in adjunct with hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) has been used for treatment of males ...

There are several mechanisms acting in synergism that can impair sperm characteristics of patients with accessory gland infection. In some cases, conventional sperm variables are disturbed with oligo and/or asthenozoospermia. In other patients, these sperm variables may appear normal, but the functional capacity of spermatozoa may be impaired. In particular, changes in the composition of the sp...

Dopamine is a catecholamine with multiple physiological functions, playing a key role in nervous system; however its participation in reproductive processes and sperm physiology is controversial. High dopamine concentrations have been reported in different portions of the feminine and masculine reproductive tract, although the role fulfilled by this catecholamine in reproductive physiology is a...

When females mate promiscuously, female sperm storage provides scope to bias the fertilization success towards particular males via the non-random acceptance and utilization of sperm. The difficulties observing post-copulatory processes within the female reproductive tract mean that the mechanisms underlying cryptic female choice remain poorly understood. Here, we use zebra finches Taeniopygia ...

OBJECTIVE To compare the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test and the terminal uridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay for assessment of sperm DNA damage. DESIGN Prospective comparative experimental study. SETTING Andrology laboratory. PATIENT(S) Twenty subfertile men with unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S) Sperm DNA damage was determined in the same semen samples using the TUNEL...