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Related Concept Videos

Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Related Experiment Video

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Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging
19:26

Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging

Published on: May 24, 2013

Ca2+-stores in sperm: their identities and functions.

Sarah Costello1, Francesco Michelangeli, Katherine Nash

  • 1School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, UK.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|June 23, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Sperm cells utilize unique intracellular calcium (Ca2+) stores, distinct from somatic cells, to regulate key functions like motility and fertilization. These stores, located in the acrosomal and neck/midpiece regions, are crucial for sperm activity.

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging
19:26

Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ Changes in Human Sperm using Four Techniques: Conventional Fluorometry, Stopped Flow Fluorometry, Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Imaging

Published on: May 24, 2013

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm
05:44

Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm

Published on: March 1, 2019

Techniques for Imaging Ca2+ Signaling in Human Sperm
07:38

Techniques for Imaging Ca2+ Signaling in Human Sperm

Published on: June 16, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+](i)) stores regulate cellular functions and signaling, including sperm cell activities.
  • Mature sperm cells lack typical somatic cell organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum, necessitating unique Ca2+ storage mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for molecular components of Ca2+ stores in sperm.
  • To examine evidence for functional Ca2+ stores in mammalian sperm.
  • To discuss the identity, location, and distinct functions of these sperm Ca2+ stores.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on sperm Ca2+ signaling.
  • Analysis of molecular components (pumps, channels) in sperm.
  • Evaluation of functional evidence for Ca2+ storage organelles in sperm.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports at least two Ca2+ storage organelles in mammalian sperm: one in the acrosomal region and another in the neck/midpiece region.
  • These stores likely regulate acrosome secretion and flagellar activity/hyperactivation, respectively.
  • Sperm exhibit discrete control over Ca2+ store mobilization and interaction with CatSper channels.

Conclusions:

  • Mammalian sperm possess distinct intracellular Ca2+ stores crucial for regulating fertilization-related activities.
  • Understanding these unique Ca2+ storage mechanisms is vital for reproductive biology.
  • Sperm Ca2+ signaling involves complex interactions between storage sites and ion channels like CatSper.