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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:22
Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation
Published on: January 22, 2020
Heat shock proteins in sperm capacitation: A functional perspective
Aynaz Mihanfar1, Mohammed Kareem Mutsher1, Forough Shams2
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Tissue & Cell
|July 18, 2026
Summary
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are crucial for sperm capacitation, enabling fertilization. Understanding their roles in male infertility may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Spermatozoa require capacitation in the female reproductive tract to fertilize an oocyte.
- The oviduct plays a key role in regulating sperm-oocyte interactions during fertilization.
- Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of sperm capacitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on the functional roles of HSPs in sperm capacitation.
- To evaluate the potential of HSPs as therapeutic targets for male infertility.
- To review the impact of HSPs on intracellular signaling pathways during sperm capacitation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing existing research on HSPs and sperm function.
- Analysis of proteomics and metabolomics studies related to male infertility disorders.
- Discussion of emerging technologies for studying HSPs in male infertility.
Main Results:
- HSPs are involved in protein folding, chaperone activity, signal transduction, and protein complex formation during sperm capacitation.
- Differential expression of HSPs is observed in various male infertility disorders.
- Specific interactions of HSPs have been identified, but their precise roles in sperm function require further clarification.
Conclusions:
- HSPs are critical regulators of sperm capacitation and potential targets for male infertility treatments.
- Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate HSPs as biomarkers for male infertility.
- Advanced technologies may enhance our understanding of HSPs' impact on male fertility and inform new therapeutic strategies.
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