The epididymis contributes to sperm DNA integrity and early embryo development through Cysteine-Rich Secretory Proteins.

ABSTRACT: Numerous reports showed that the epididymis plays key roles in the acquisition of sperm fertilizing ability but its contribution to embryo development remains less understood. Female mice mated with males with simultaneous mutations in Crisp1 and Crisp3 genes exhibited normal in vivo fertilization but impaired embryo development. In this work, we found that this phenotype was not due to delayed fertilization, and it was observed in eggs fertilized by epididymal sperm either in vivo or in vitro. Of note, eggs fertilized in vitro by mutant sperm displayed impaired meiotic resumption unrelated to Ca²⁺ oscillations defects during egg activation, supporting potential sperm DNA defects. Interestingly, cauda but not caput epididymal mutant sper

SUBMITTER: Sulzyk V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12037180 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature