[Effect of hormones on biological properties of spermatozoa]

The paper presents a review of the most important literature dealing with direct influence of hormones on basic biological properties of the mammalian spermatozoa, e.g. motility, chemotaxion and acrosome reaction. Original data from the author's own research, are also provided. Spermatozoa have active receptors for many hormones thus their metabolism and behavior can be epigenetically modified. Hormones of semen, reproductive tract and ovarian follicle liquids are able to influence sperm motility as well as their chemotactic movements. Hormones assist the acrosome reaction in inducing ion transport in spermatozoa. These properties are not only the features of hormones found in spermatozoan natural environment, but there are also other hormones, which have rather pharmacological then physiological effect.