Posttesticular sperm maturation, infertility, and hypercholesterolemia

Cholesterol is a key molecule in the mammalian physiology of especial particular importance for the reproductive system as it is the common precursor for steroid hormone synthesis. Cholesterol is also a recognized modulator of sperm functions, not only at the level of gametogenesis. Cholesterol home...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marjorie Whitfield, Xavier Pollet-Villard, Rachel Levy, Joël R Drevet, Fabrice Saez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
Series:Asian Journal of Andrology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2015;volume=17;issue=5;spage=742;epage=748;aulast=Whitfield
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Summary:Cholesterol is a key molecule in the mammalian physiology of especial particular importance for the reproductive system as it is the common precursor for steroid hormone synthesis. Cholesterol is also a recognized modulator of sperm functions, not only at the level of gametogenesis. Cholesterol homeostasis regulation is crucial for posttesticular sperm maturation, and imbalanced cholesterol levels may particularly affect these posttesticular events. Metabolic lipid disorders (dyslipidemia) affect male fertility but are most of the time studied from the angle of endocrine/testicular consequences. This review will focus on the deleterious effects of a particular dyslipidemia, i.e., hypercholesterolemia, on posttesticular maturation of mammalian spermatozoa.
ISSN:1008-682X
1745-7262