biostudies-literatureJudernatz JHEuropean Research Councile202503415https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12326331biostudies-literatureUnknown8(10)The development of correctly shaped sperm cells is crucial for male reproductive health and fertility. The manchette is a transient microtubule-based structure that assembles during spermiogenesis and contributes to sperm head shaping. Defects in the manchette can cause sperm deformations and subsequent infertility. Previous studies have suggested that the manchette acts as a cellular transport platform, distributing proteins and vesicles during spermiogenesis in a process known as intra-manchette transport. The manchette and intra-manchette transport are still poorly understood, as high-resolution imaging is missing. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography and proteomics to visualize the manchette and identify some of its transport components. We characterize the overall architecture of thLife science allianceCharacterisation of the manchette architecture and its role as transport scaffold using cryo-electron tomography.PMC12326331101088673Kadava THeck AJJudernatz JHPerez Paneda LZeev-Ben-Mordehai TfalseCharacterisation of the manchette architecture and its role as transport scaffold using cryo-electron tomography.The development of correctly shaped sperm cells is crucial for male reproductive health and fertility. The manchette is a transient microtubule-based structure that assembles during spermiogenesis and contributes to sperm head shaping. Defects in the manchette can cause sperm deformations and subsequent infertility. Previous studies have suggested that the manchette acts as a cellular transport platform, distributing proteins and vesicles during spermiogenesis in a process known as intra-manchette transport. The manchette and intra-manchette transport are still poorly understood, as high-resolution imaging is missing. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography and proteomics to visualize the manchette and identify some of its transport components. We characterize the overall architecture of th2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-04-12T15:16:42.713Z2026-04-07T13:17:56.089ZS-EPMC123263314076398610.26508/lsa.202503415