Male Fertility Flashcards
1
Q
Dhh (Desert Hedgehog)
A
Growth factor secreted by Sertoli cells
Required for regulation of mitosis/meiosis in male germ cells
2
Q
What are important factors in Sertoli-germ cell signaling to promote spermatogenesis?
A
Dhh (Sertoli cells)
BMP-8b (germ cells)
3
Q
Spermatogenesis
A
Diploid spermatogonia –> Haploid spermatid
4
Q
Spermiogenesis
A
Haploid spermatid (immature) –> Haploid spermatozoa (mature)
4
Q
What is the transit time for sperm in the human epididymis?
A
80-90 days
5
Q
Sperm capacitation changes
Where does capacitation occur?
A
Location: female reproductive tract
- Loss of cholesterol from plasma membrane
- Changes in charge of surface proteins
- Elevation of intracellular pH and bicarbonate
- Changes in ion conductance
- Changes in phosphorylation of sperm proteins
- cAMP production –> hyperactivated motility
