Over the last decades, acrosomal exocytosis (also called the “acrosome reaction”) has been recognized as playing an essential role in fertilization. Secretion of this granule is an absolute requirement for physiological fertilization. In recent years, the study of mammalian acrosomal exocytosis has yielded some major advances that challenge the long-held, general paradigms in the field. Principally, the idea that sperm must be acrosome-intact to bind to the zona pellucida of unfertilized eggs, based largely on in vitro fertilization studies of mouse oocytes denuded of the cumulus oophorus, has been overturned by experiments using state-of-the-art imaging of cumulus-intact oocytes and fertilization experiments where eggs were reinseminated by acrosome-reacted sperm recovered from the perivitelline space of zygotes. From a molecular point of view, acrosome exocytosis is a synchronized and tightly regulated process mediated by molecular mechanisms that are homologous to those reported in neuroendocrinal cell secretions. The authors provide a broader perspective, focusing on a limited number of important topics that are essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms governing this step in the fertilization process. They also discuss molecular aspects such as the signaling pathways leading to exocytosis, including the participation of ion channels, lipids, the fusion machinery proteins and the actin cytoskeleton as well as cellular aspects such as the site of acrosomal exocytosis and the use of gene-manipulated animals to study this process.

This book contains the proceedings of the International Symposium on the Mechanisms of Sexual Reproduction in Animals and Plants, where many plant and animal reproductive biologists gathered to discuss their recent progress in investigating the shared mechanisms and factors involved in sexual reproduction. This now is the first book that reviews recent progress in almost all fields of plant and animal fertilization. It was recently reported that the self-sterile mechanism of a hermaphroditic marine invertebrate (ascidian) is very similar to the self-incompatibility system in flowering plants. It was also found that a male factor expressed in the sperm cells of flowering plants is involved in gamete fusion not only of plants but also of animals and parasites. These discoveries have led to the consideration that the core mechanisms or factors involved in sexual reproduction may be shared by animals, plants and unicellular organisms. This valuable book is highly useful for reproductive biologists as well as for biological scientists outside this field in understanding the current progress of reproductive biology.

Infertility affects more than one in ten couples worldwide and is related to highly heterogeneous pathologies sometimes only discernible in the germ line. Its complex etiology often, but not always, includes genetic factors besides anatomical defects, immunological interference, and environmental aspects. Nearly 30% of infertility cases are probably caused only by genetic defects. Thereby experimental animal knockout models convincingly show that infertility can be caused by single or multiple gene defects. Translating those basic research findings into clinical studies is challenging, leaving genetic causes for the vast majority of infertility patients unexplained. Nevertheless, a large number of candidate genes have been revealed by sophisticated molecular methods. This book provides a comprehensive overview on the subject of infertility written by the leading authorities in this field. It covers topics including basic biological, cytological, and molecular studies, as well as common and uncommon syndromes. It is a must-read for human geneticists, endocrinologists, epidemiologists, zoologists, and counsellors in human genetics, infertility, and assisted reproduction.

Focusing on modern sperm function testing, this guide is essential in selecting sperm that will produce viable and healthy embryos.

Our knowledge of reproductive biology has increased enormously in recent years on cellular, molecular, and genetic levels, leading to significant breakthroughs that have directly benefitted in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in humans and animal systems. Animal Models and Human Reproduction presents a comprehensive reference that reflects the latest scientific research being done in human reproductive biology utilizing domestic animal models. Chapters on canine, equine, cow, pig, frog, and mouse models of reproduction reflect frontier research in placental biology, ovarian function and fertility, non-coding RNAs in gametogenesis, oocyte and embryo metabolism, fertilization, cryopreservation, signal transduction pathways, chromatin dynamics, epigenetics, reproductive aging, and inflammation. Chapters on non-human primate models also highlight recent advancements into such issues as human in vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This book offers animal scientists, reproductive biology scientists, clinicians and practitioners, invaluable insights into a wide range of issues at the forefront of human reproductive health.

The epididymis has become increasingly important to researchers engaged in fertility and its regulation. Until now, no single volume review of the field has been available. The Epididymis: From Molecules to Clinical Practice A Comprehensive Survey of Efferent Ducts, The Epididymis and the Vas Deferens will provide a complete, up-to-date, in-depth review of the research on the male reproductive tract. Structure, function, and molecular mechanisms underlying the control of the efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens will be reviewed.

This valuable reference work provides a synthesis of the latest knowledge about the acrosomatic reaction of human sperm. The acrosomatic reaction, which is a fundamental step in the process of fertilisation, is examined on both the fundamental and clinical levels. Three very recent aspects are also dealt with: what happens to the acrosome during intracytoplasmic microinjections, the usefulness of screening spermatozoa that have completed their acrosomatic reaction, and the development of contraception by a vaccine that targets one of the proteins of the acrosome. International Symposium, Collioure, France, September 1995.