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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...

Spermatogenesis

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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

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

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

Published on: March 1, 2019

Germ-cell hyaluronidases: their roles in sperm function.

P A Martin-Deleon¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. pdeleon@udel.edu

International Journal of Andrology

|March 23, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Hyaluronidases (hyases) are crucial enzymes for fertilization, playing roles in sperm function and egg penetration. This review highlights their complex roles and challenges existing classifications, suggesting polygenic control and cooperative functions.

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

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

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Published on: March 1, 2019

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

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Published on: November 28, 2018

Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice

Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice

Published on: November 18, 2017

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Enzymology
Genetics

Background:

Hyaluronidases (hyases) degrade hyaluronic acid (HA) in the extracellular matrix.
Two gene clusters encode six hyases: three in the somatic subgroup and three in the germ-cell subgroup.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the expression and roles of hyases in gamete biology and fertilization.
To analyze existing data on hyase function until October 2010.

Main Methods:

Literature review of electronic databases.
Analysis of expression and functional data for hyases in gametes.

Main Results:

Hyases are essential membrane proteins with enzymatic and non-enzymatic roles in fertilization (cumulus penetration, zona binding, HA receptor).
Sperm hyaluronidase (SPAM1) co-exists with acidic hyases in human and murine spermatozoa, indicating dual hyase activity is crucial for sperm function.
Hyases are found in reproductive tissues and acquired by spermatozoa, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for hyase deficiency.

Conclusions:

Sperm function relies on the combined activity of germ cell and somatic hyases.
Hyase activity appears to be a polygenic trait, challenging current classifications.
Further research is needed to understand functional redundancy and species-specific roles in zona binding.