Behavioral mechanisms of mammalian sperm guidance

Asian J Androl. 2015 Jul-Aug;17(4):628-32. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.154308.

Abstract

In mammals, sperm guidance in the oviduct appears essential for successful sperm arrival at the oocyte. Hitherto, three different potential sperm guidance mechanisms have been recognized: thermotaxis, rheotaxis, and chemotaxis, each of them using specific stimuli - a temperature gradient, fluid flow, and a chemoattractant gradient, respectively. Here, we review sperm behavioral in these mechanisms and indicate commonalities and differences between them.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oviducts / physiology*
  • Sperm Motility / physiology
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*