Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...

Sperm Transport

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...

Infertility in Males

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The effect of oxidative and reductive stress on semen parameters and functions of physiologically normal human spermatozoa.

Free radical biology & medicine·2020

Same author

Efficacy of Antioxidant Supplementation on Conventional and Advanced Sperm Function Tests in Patients with Idiopathic Male Infertility.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

Same author

Proteomic Analyses of Human Sperm Cells: Understanding the Role of Proteins and Molecular Pathways Affecting Male Reproductive Health.

International journal of molecular sciences·2020

Same author

Exosomes of male reproduction.

Advances in clinical chemistry·2020

Same author

Body mass index and age correlate with antioxidant supplementation effects on sperm quality: Post hoc analyses from a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Andrologia·2020

Same author

Geographical differences in semen characteristics: Comparing semen parameters of infertile men of the United States and Iraq.

Andrologia·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

Assessing sperm function.

Ashok Agarwal¹, Frances Monette Bragais, Edmund Sabanegh

¹Reproductive Research Center, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. agarwaa@ccf.org

The Urologic Clinics of North America

|April 22, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This review covers standard semen analysis and novel fertility tests for male infertility. It also discusses emerging diagnostic tools and their future clinical uses in reproductive medicine.

More Related Videos

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: November 29, 2018

Fish Sperm Assessment Using Software and Cooling Devices

Fish Sperm Assessment Using Software and Cooling Devices

Published on: July 28, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: November 29, 2018

Fish Sperm Assessment Using Software and Cooling Devices

Fish Sperm Assessment Using Software and Cooling Devices

Published on: July 28, 2018

Area of Science:

Reproductive Medicine
Andrology

Background:

Male infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking fertility treatment.
Understanding the causes of male infertility is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current diagnostic methods for male infertility.
To highlight advancements in fertility testing.
To discuss emerging technologies and their clinical potential.

Main Methods:

Literature review of established and novel male fertility tests.
Analysis of recent research on diagnostic advancements.
Discussion of future trends in male infertility assessment.

Main Results:

Basic semen analysis remains a cornerstone of male fertility evaluation.
Newer tests offer deeper insights into sperm function and male reproductive health.
Several promising tests are under development for improved clinical application.

Conclusions:

The field of male infertility diagnostics is rapidly evolving.
Advanced fertility tests are enhancing our understanding and management of male infertility.
Future diagnostic tools hold significant promise for personalized reproductive medicine.