Modulation of sperm function by estrogen and progesterone using in vitro experiments: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Endocrinology
• Sperm Physiology

Background:

• Steroid hormones progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) are crucial for mammalian reproduction.
• These hormones can modulate sperm function in vitro, aiding fertilization.
• Understanding their effects requires examining in vitro models with and without oviductal epithelial cells (OECs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review in vitro experimental models assessing sperm functionality.
• To investigate the effects of E2 and P4 supplementation on sperm.
• To compare sperm function in co-cultures with OECs versus cultures without OECs.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed.
• Inclusion of 32 articles meeting specific criteria for in vitro models of E2 and P4 effects on animal sperm.
• Data synthesis and descriptive presentation of findings.

Main Results:

• Studies utilized sperm and oviducts from various species (hamsters, mice, rats, monkeys, porcine, ovine, bovine).
• P4 promoted sperm hyperactivation, capacitation, and acrosome reaction (AR), aiding OEC release.
• E2 delayed capacitation but enhanced OEC binding; P4 alone also induced AR and capacitation, improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates.

Conclusions:

• In vitro studies demonstrate dose-dependent effects of E2 and P4 on sperm behavior and fertilizing ability.
• These hormones enhance sperm function for IVF programs across species.
• Further research is needed on species-specific mechanisms to optimize assisted reproductive technologies.