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Physiological and Proteomic Approaches to Understanding Human Sperm Function

Prefertilization Events

  • Chapter
The Genetics of Male Infertility

Abstract

Sperm dysfunction is the single most common defined cause of infertility. Approximately 1 in 15 men are subfertile and the condition is increasing in frequency. However, the diagnosis is poor and, excluding assisted conception, there is no treatment because of our limited understanding of the cellular, biochemical, and molecular functioning of the spermatozoon. The underlying premise of our research program is to establish a rudimentary understanding of the processes necessary for successful fertilization. We detail advances in our understanding of calcium signaling in the cell and outline genetic and proteomic technologies that are being used to improve the diagnosis of the condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Biology and Genetics Group, Division of Reproductive and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    Sarah J. Conner PhD

  2. Assisted Conception Unit, Birmingham Women’es Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    Sarah J. Conner PhD

  3. Reproductive Biology and Genetics Group, Division of Reproductive and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    Linda Lefièvre PhD

  4. Reproductive Biology and Genetics Group, Division of Reproductive and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston

    Jackson Kirkman-Brown PhD

  5. Assisted Conception Unit, Birmingham Women’es Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    Jackson Kirkman-Brown PhD

  6. School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    Gisela S. M. Machado-Oliveira BSc

  7. School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    Frank Michelangeli PhD

  8. School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    Stephen J. Publicover PhD

  9. Reproductive Biology and Genetics Group, Division of Reproductive and Child Health, Universityof Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    Christopher L. R. Barratt PhD

Authors
  1. Sarah J. Conner PhD
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  2. Linda Lefièvre PhD
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  3. Jackson Kirkman-Brown PhD
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  4. Gisela S. M. Machado-Oliveira BSc
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  5. Frank Michelangeli PhD
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  6. Stephen J. Publicover PhD
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  7. Christopher L. R. Barratt PhD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery (Urology), Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Physiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT

    Douglas T. Carrell PhD

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© 2007 Humana Press Inc.

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Conner, S.J. et al. (2007). Physiological and Proteomic Approaches to Understanding Human Sperm Function. In: Carrell, D.T. (eds) The Genetics of Male Infertility. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-176-5_5

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