Cited by 198Sperm and Testicular FunctionGlycosylation and Glycoproteins ResearchReproductive Biology and Fertility

Sugar‐coated sperm: Unraveling the functions of the mammalian sperm glycocalyx

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Tecle, Eillen, Gagneux, Pascal·2015·Molecular Reproduction and Development

Abstract

Mammalian spermatozoa are coated with a thick glycocalyx that is assembled during sperm development, maturation, and upon contact with seminal fluid. The sperm glycocalyx is critical for sperm survival in the female reproductive tract and is modified during capacitation. The complex interplay among the various glycoconjugates generates numerous signaling motifs that may regulate sperm function and, as a result, fertility. Nascent spermatozoa assemble their own glycans while the cells still possess a functional endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi in the seminiferous tubule, but once spermatogenesis is complete, they lose the capacity to produce glycoconjugates de novo. Sperm glycans continue to be modified, during epididymal transit by extracellular glycosidases and glycosyltransferases. Furthermore, epididymal cells secrete glycoconjugates (glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoproteins and glycolipids) and glycan-rich microvesicles that can fuse with the maturing sperm membrane. The sperm glycocalyx mediates numerous functions in the female reproductive tract, including the following: inhibition of premature capacitation; passage through the cervical mucus; protection from innate and adaptive female immunity; formation of the sperm reservoir; and masking sperm proteins involved in fertilization. The immense diversity in sperm-associated glycans within and between species forms a remarkable challenge to our understanding of essential sperm glycan functions.

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Crossref · 10.1002/mrd.22500

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  • Glycans appear to be involved at many steps in the reproductive process, including sperm migration to the site of fertilization.

    “Glycans also appear to be involved at many steps in the reproductive process, and in the processes of sperm migration to the site of fertilization (942).”

    From Biological roles of glycans (2017) · cites this paper as [942]

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1 of the 126 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Stanley P, Schachter H, Taniguchi N. 2009 N‐ Glycans In: Varki A, Cummings RD, Esko JD, Freeze HH, Stanley P, Bertozzi CR, Hart GW, Etzler ME, editors. Essentials of glycobiology. 2nd edition Cold Spring Harbor (NY): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 2009 Chapter 13, pp 175– 198.
  2. Suarez SS, Pacey AA. 2006b Sperm transport in the female reproductive tract. Hum Reprod Update 12: 23– 37. 16272225

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Authors
Tecle, E., & Gagneux, P.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Gagneux, Pascal
Venue
Molecular Reproduction and Development
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015-06-09
Volume
82
Issue
9
Pages
635-650
ISSN
  • 1040-452X (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-2795
OpenAlex
W1796017043
Cited by
190
References
126
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4
FWCI
1.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Reproduction and Development (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • NIHGMS Grant (#1065732)
  • UCSD (Core A P01HL107150)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Keywords
sperm capacitation, epididymal maturation, seminal plasma, female reproductive tract, sperm survival, cervical mucus, sperm reservoir, glycolipids, microvesicles, sperm plasma membrane, fertility, spermatogenesis
MeSH terms
Animals, Female, Humans, Male, Spermatozoa, Glycocalyx, Mice

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