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Volume 9, Issue 4 (July 2007) 9, 533–539; 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2007.00285.x
Sperm maturation in the epididymis: a new look at an old problem
Trevor G Cooper
Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University, Münster D-48129, Germany
Correspondence: Dr Trevor G. Cooper, Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University, Domagkstrasse 11, Münster D-48129, Germany. Fax: +49-251-835-6093. E-mail: TrevorG.Cooper@ukmuenster.de
| Abstract |
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The osmotic challenges facing maturing spermatozoa and their responses to them are discussed in relation to the concept of sperm maturation, defined as the increased ability of more distally recovered epididymal spermatozoa to fertilize eggs when inseminated into the female tract. One explanation could be that the more distal cells are better able to regulate their volume, and reach the oviducts, as a consequence of uptake of epididymal osmolytes. Increased motility, zona binding and oolemma fusion capacities are also acquired within the epididymis and are necessary for those cells that finally arrive at the site of fertilization.
Keywords: epididymal function, fertilization, in vivo, osmotic challenge, sperm maturation
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