Investigation of ion channel biology continues to be an ever-expanding field of research. The ability of ion channels to regulate membrane potential and intracellular ionic milieu, such as Ca21, accords them a central role in varied cellular processes that govern excitability, action potential characteristics, stimulus-secretion coupling, cell volume regulation, and epithelial electrolyte trans...

Increasing studies have shown that mature spermatozoa contain many transcripts including mRNAs and miRNAs. However, the expression profile of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mammalian sperm has not been systematically investigated. Here, we used highly purified RNA to investigate lncRNA expression profiles in mouse mature sperm by stranded-specific RNA-seq. We identified 20,907 known and 4,08...

Elasmobranchs are one of the most endangered vertebrate groups on planet, but despite this situation use reproductive techniques in elasmobranch conservation strategies has been scarce. Among these techniques, sperm preservation is a potential tool for ex situ and aquaria sustainability. However, there no widespread protocols sperm, shark cryopreservation never achieved before. Here we present ...

Secretion of electrolytes and water by the epididymal epithelium is important in the formation an optimal fluid environment for sperm maturation and transport. This process is disrupted in the genetic disease cystic fibrosis caused by mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmemebrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Recent findings of CFTR gene mutations in healthy men with congenital bilateral ...

The editors of this book, Drs. Ashok Agarwal, Ahmad Majzoub, Chak-Lam Cho and Sandro Esteves, are to be congratulated for bringing together an extensive tome on the evaluation and management of sperm DNA fragmentation. The perspectives from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world provide an interesting snapshot into management of the unique phenomenon of sperm DNA d...

A novel approach was used to evaluate the distribution of sperm in the oviduct of turkey hens inseminated before or after the onset of egg production. Prior to insemination, sperm were stained with the nuclear fluorescent stain bisbenzimide. Sperm distribution in the sperm storage tubules (SST) of the uterovaginal junction and the infundibular tubular glands was determined by use of simultaneou...

At coitus, human sperm are deposited into the anterior vagina, where, to avoid vaginal acid and immune responses, they quickly contact cervical mucus and enter the cervix. Cervical mucus filters out sperm with poor morphology and motility and as such only a minority of ejaculated sperm actually enter the cervix. In the uterus, muscular contractions may enhance passage of sperm through the uteri...

Intraflagellar transport is involved in the assembly of cilia and eukaryotic flagella. Two recent studies have shown that defects in intraflagellar transport prevent assembly of sensory cilia in Drosophila, leaving the fly deaf and uncoordinated. Surprisingly, the mutant sperm flagella have normal structure and motility.