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Fuel/Energy Sources of Spermatozoa

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Male Infertility

Abstract

Spermatozoa consume energy in the form of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generated by its fuel machinery. Energy is required to facilitate sperm functions, from sperm motility and hyperactivation to capacitation and acrosome reaction, all of which are crucial for the success of fertilization. Glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation are the two metabolic pathways known to generate energy in spermatozoa. However, the cellular mechanism and signaling pathways that spermatozoa predominantly utilize to generate the energy it requires to achieve successful fertilization are not fully elucidated. Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria and is a more efficient pathway for ATP production compared to glycolysis. Mitochondrial respiration is reported to be the primary source of energy for sperm motility, yet the diffusion potential of ATP from the mitochondria downwards of the entire flagellar length is inadequate to support sperm motility. On the other hand, glycolysis, which takes place in the sperm head and tail, is the main source of ATP along the flagellum. Although inhibition of the glycolysis process does not appear to disrupt sperm function and motility, it is uncertain whether such motility is sustainable over an extended time period or if it is vigorous enough for fertilization to occur effectively. This chapter provides an overview of sperm energy metabolism, which is supported by the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics in spermatozoa as well as the coordination between the Sertoli cells and spermatogonial cells during energy production in spermatozoa. Energy utilization during each sperm process and the consequence of fuel depletion on sperm function are also described. Understanding the intricacies of sperm energy metabolism would help improve the in vitro sperm storage media and contribute toward the development of non-hormonal contraceptives.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia

    Pallav Sengupta

  2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

    Damayanthi Durairajanayagam

  3. American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

Authors
  1. Pallav Sengupta
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  2. Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
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  3. Ashok Agarwal
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Correspondence to Ashok Agarwal .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. PUR Clinic, University of Central Florida (UCF), Clermont, FL, USA

    Sijo J. Parekattil

  2. ANDROFERT and State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

    Sandro C. Esteves

  3. Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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Sengupta, P., Durairajanayagam, D., Agarwal, A. (2020). Fuel/Energy Sources of Spermatozoa. In: Parekattil, S., Esteves, S., Agarwal, A. (eds) Male Infertility. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32300-4_26

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