Sperm chemotaxis in marine species is optimal at physiological flow rates according theory of filament surfing

PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Apr 12;17(4):e1008826. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008826. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Sperm of marine invertebrates have to find eggs cells in the ocean. Turbulent flows mix sperm and egg cells up to the millimeter scale; below this, active swimming and chemotaxis become important. Previous work addressed either turbulent mixing or chemotaxis in still water. Here, we present a general theory of sperm chemotaxis inside the smallest eddies of turbulent flow, where signaling molecules released by egg cells are spread into thin concentration filaments. Sperm cells 'surf' along these filaments towards the egg. External flows make filaments longer, but also thinner. These opposing effects set an optimal flow strength. The optimum predicted by our theory matches flow measurements in shallow coastal waters. Our theory quantitatively agrees with two previous fertilization experiments in Taylor-Couette chambers and provides a mechanistic understanding of these early experiments. 'Surfing along concentration filaments' could be a paradigm for navigation in complex environments in the presence of turbulent flow.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquatic Organisms / physiology*
  • Chemotaxis / physiology*
  • Male
  • Sperm Motility*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*

Grants and funding

We acknowledge support by the DFG under grant FR 3429/3-1, FR 3429/4-1 (Heisenberg program), and through the Excellence Initiative by the German Federal and State Governments (Clusters of Excellence cfaed EXC 1036 and PoL EXC 2068). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.