Mammalian spermatozoa have complex structures. The structure-function relationship of sperm has been studied from various viewpoints. Accumulated evidence has shown that the sperm components undergo sequential changes from the beginning of spermatogenesis to the time of fertilization/embryogenesis. Structural analyses have been performed using various new techniques of light and electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry in combination with specific probes such as antibodies against sperm components. Recently developed gene-manipulation techniques have accelerated investigations on the events that govern the relationship between the structure and molecular components of sperm. In addition, animal models with gene manipulations have been shown to exhibit various morphological and functional abnormalities that lead to infertility.

In this book, I discuss the events that occur in the normal sperm head and govern the structure-function relationship from the time of spermatogenesis to that of fertilization or egg activation. In this regard, I describe dynamic modifications and maturation events occurring in sperm-head components and compare the outcomes of these events with the outcomes of their failure.

1;List of Contents;62;Dynamics of the Mammalian Sperm Head: Modifications and Maturation Events from Spermatogenesis to Egg Activation;112.1;Summary;112.2;Abbreviations Used in the Figure Legends;123;Chapter 1 Introduction;144;Chapter 2 Mammalian Sperm Head;194.1;2.1 Structures, Domains, and Related Functions;194.2;2.2 Cytoplasmic Layers;204.3;2.3 Membrane System;225;Chapter 3 Sperm-Head Formation and Factors Affecting It;255.1;3.1 Cellular Interactions;265.2;3.2 IgSF Proteins;316;Chapter 4 Post-testicular Modifications and Maturation Events Occurring in the Sperm Head;346.1;4.1 In the Epididymis;346.2;4.2 In the Female Reproductive Tract;367;Chapter 5 Dynamics of the Acrosome;377.1;5.1 Acrosome Biogenesis During Spermatogenesis;377.2;5.2 Pathways for the Transport of Acrosomal Molecules;407.3;5.3 Microenvironment of the Acrosome;427.4;5.4 Post-testicular Modifications and Maturation Events;427.5;5.5 Acrosomal Enzymes and Other Molecules;447.6;5.6 Failure of Acrosome Biogenesis;458;Chapter 6 Dynamics of the Perinuclear Theca;488.1;6.1 Biogenesis During Spermatogenesis;488.2;6.2 Functions of Perinuclear Theca-Associating Molecules;499;Chapter 7 Dynamics of the Sperm Nucleus;509.1;7.1 Formation and Maturation of the Nucleus;509.2;7.2 Abnormal Nucleus Formation in Gene-KO Mice;539.3;7.3 DNA Fragmentation;5410;Chapter 8 Dynamics of the Membrane System;5710.1;8.1 Modifications in Sperm Plasma-Membrane Proteins;5710.2;8.2 Zona Pellucida Binding and the Acrosome Reaction;5910.3;8.3 Primary Binding of Sperm to the Zona Pellucida;6010.4;8.4 The Acrosome Reaction;6010.5;8.5 Rapid and Slow Release of Acrosomal Molecules;6410.6;8.6 Secondary Binding to the Zona Pellucida and the Candidate Molecules Involved;6610.7;8.7 Priming for Gamete Membrane Fusion and the Candidate Molecules Involved;7010.8;8.8 Gamete Membrane Fusion;7211;Chapter 9 Dynamics of Egg (Oocyte) Activation;7511.1;9.1 Sperm (Cytoplasmic) Factor and Candidate Molecules Involved in Egg Activation;7511.2;9.2 Sperm Receptor;7811.3;9.3 After Egg Activation;7912;Chapter 10 Status of Sperm-Head Components During Normal Fertilization, IVF, ICSI, and Round Spermatid Injection;8013;Chapter 11 Conclusion;8214;References;8415;Index;98