Outer dense fibers stabilize the axoneme to maintain sperm motility.

ABSTRACT: Outer dense fibers (ODFs), as unique accessory structures in mammalian sperm, are considered to play a role in the protection of the sperm tail against shear forces. However, the role and relevant mechanisms of ODFs in modulating sperm motility and its pathological involvement in asthenozoospermia were unknown. Here, we found that the percentage of ODF defects was higher in asthenozoospermic samples than that in control samples and was significantly correlated with the percentage of axoneme defects and non-motile sperm. Furthermore, the expression levels of ODF major components (Odf1, 2, 3, 4) were frequently down-regulated in asthenozoospermic samples. Intriguingly, the positive relationship between ODF size and sperm motility existed across species. The conditional disruption of Odf2 exp

SUBMITTER: Zhao W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5824370 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature