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Chapter 3 - Maturation and Function of Sperm

from Section 1 - Scientific Foundations of Male Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2023

By
Caroline Kang ,
Nahid Punjani  and
Dolores J. Lamb
Edited by
Larry I. Lipshultz ,
Stuart S. Howards ,
Craig S. Niederberger  and
Dolores J. Lamb
Larry I. Lipshultz
Affiliation:
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
Stuart S. Howards
Affiliation:
University of Virginia
Craig S. Niederberger
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Chicago
Dolores J. Lamb
Affiliation:
Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
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Summary

Human sperm are created in the testis via a highly regulated and complex hormonal pathway arising from the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular (HPT) axis under complex paracrine control by growth factors and cytokines. Following their creation, sperm must travel through the seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra until they are expelled through ejaculation into the female genital tract. Fertilization capabilities of the sperm require morphologic and molecular changes that are acquired during transit of sperm through the male and female reproductive tracts.

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Chapter
Information
Infertility in the Male , pp. 39 - 61
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

Further Reading

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Wang, H, McGoldrick, LL, Chung, J-J. Sperm ion channels and transporters in male fertility and infertility. Nat Rev Urol 2021;18:46–66.Google Scholar

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