Role of zinc trafficking in male fertility: from germ to sperm

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 1134 - 1145
• Main Authors: Foresta, Carlo, Garolla, Andrea, Cosci, Ilaria, Menegazzo, Massimo, Ferigo, Marco, Gandin, Valentina, De Toni, Luca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.06.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Infertility, Male - metabolism; Male; Sperm Retrieval; Spermatozoa - metabolism; Young Adult; Zinc - metabolism; capacitation; sperm motility; zinc; male infertility; zinc transporters

STUDY QUESTION What are the dynamics of zinc (Zn) trafficking in sperm, at the testicular, epididymal and ejaculate levels? SUMMARY ANSWER Zn transporters are peculiarly expressed in the cells of the germ line and Zn uptake is maximal at the post-epididymal phase, where Zn is involved in the regulat...