[Morphological defects of sperm flagellum implicated in human male infertility]

Med Sci (Paris). 2012 May;28(5):503-11. doi: 10.1051/medsci/2012285015. Epub 2012 May 30.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The assembly of sperm flagella involves specific components and processes that are still poorly defined. Several morphological defects of the different structures that compose the axoneme have been described and associated to human male infertility. These morphological defects can be classified in 15 main categories. Most of them have been associated to consanguinity and/or familial cases, suggesting their genetic origin. However, so far only few genes have been causally involved.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Axoneme / pathology
  • Axoneme / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / etiology*
  • Infertility, Male / genetics
  • Infertility, Male / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / pathology
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Models, Biological
  • Sperm Tail / pathology*
  • Sperm Tail / physiology
  • Sperm Tail / ultrastructure
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / abnormalities*
  • Spermatozoa / pathology
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure