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The Sperm

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Basics of Human Andrology

Abstract

Structure of the sperm

Strict criteria of normal sperm morphology

Post-testicular maturation

 Epididymal maturation

 Capacitation

Functional attributes of the sperm

 Motility

 Fertilization

 Egg activation

Sperm or spermatozoon is a specialized cell with potential function of transferring paternal genome into the egg. Sperm is formed by process of cell division and maturation starting from spermatogonial stage, progressing to primary spermatocyte, secondary spermatocyte, spermatid, and mature sperm.

The structural components of sperm correspond with its highly specialized functions. The first ever detailed description of sperm was given by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in 1677. Sperm consists of the head and flagellum joined by a connecting piece or neck. The head consists of nucleus and acrosome (see Fig. 12.1). Nucleus contains paternal genome. Acrosome is enzyme-filled cap covering the anterior part of the sperm head. Acrosomal enzymes facilitate fertilization. The flagellum is the storehouse of energy needed for sperm motility. The structural uniqueness of sperm is due to the presence of unique proteins such as nuclear packaging proteins, cytoskeleton proteins in the head, acrosomal proteins, and flagellar proteins. Sperm undergoes various structural modifications in the testis and epididymis as well as during its journey to the egg/oocyte through female reproductive tract. The structural modifications make sperm capable of surviving in female reproductive tract, reaching the egg vestments, and penetrating and fertilizing the egg.

We shall now describe the detailed structure and functional attributes of the sperm. The structural and functional details are based on various animal studies and few studies done on human sperm.

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  1. Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Mona Sharma MD, DNB, MAMS & Anand Kumar MD, FAMS

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    Anand Kumar

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    Mona Sharma

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Sharma, M., Kumar, A. (2017). The Sperm. In: Kumar, A., Sharma, M. (eds) Basics of Human Andrology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3695-8_12

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