TTC6-Mediated Stabilization of the Flagellum Annulus Ensures the Rapid and Directed Motion of Sperm

Sperm motility and structural integrity are essential for successful fertilization in vivo, any hindrance of the correct assembly axoneme peri-axonemal structures sperm flagellum can lead to fertility problems. While there has been considerable advancement studying diseases related flagellum, underlying mechanisms that control movement not yet fully understood. In this study, we reveal tetratricopeptide repeat protein 6 (Ttc6) gene, expressed mainly testes, plays a crucial role maintaining male mice. We further demonstrate knockout Ttc6 mice results decreased induces an abnormal circular swimming pattern, consequently leading subfertility. Morphological analysis showed atypical hairpin-like appearance spermatozoa, ultrastructural studies unsheathed flagella at juncture between midpiece principal piece. Collectively, these findings suggest TTC6 stability annulus region thus ensuring swift directed motion sperm.