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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
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Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation
Published on: January 22, 2020
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Molecular Basis of Human Sperm Capacitation
Lis C Puga Molina1, Guillermina M Luque1, Paula A Balestrini1
1Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|August 15, 2018
Summary
Sperm capacitation, essential for fertilization, involves molecular changes regulated by signaling cascades and ion channels. This review details human sperm capacitation mechanisms, comparing findings with the mouse model.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Cell Physiology
Background:
- Sperm capacitation, described in the 1950s, is crucial for fertilization.
- It represents the initial step in human in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Understanding capacitation is vital for reproductive medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the principal molecular mechanisms governing human sperm capacitation.
- To compare human capacitation evidence with findings from the mouse model.
- To integrate biochemical observations with ion channel activity in sperm.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on sperm capacitation.
- Analysis of studies on sperm-specific molecules.
- Consideration of patch-clamp electrophysiology data.
Main Results:
- Sperm capacitation involves complex signaling cascades and post-translational modifications.
- Ion channel activity plays a significant role in regulating sperm function.
- Sperm, being transcriptionally inactive, rely on these signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Molecular mechanisms of human sperm capacitation are intricate.
- Comparison with mouse models provides valuable insights.
- Further research can advance reproductive technologies.
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