In:
eLife, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, Vol. 6 ( 2017-06-27)
Abstract:
Seminal plasma, the fluid portion of semen, helps to transport sperm cells to the egg during sexual reproduction. Seminal plasma contains numerous proteins that help the sperm to survive and, in recent years, researchers discovered that it also harbours protein deposits known as amyloid fibrils. Such protein deposits are generally associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease, where a build-up of fibrils can damage the nervous system. Semen amyloids, however, are present in the absence of disease, but can boost infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses, by shuttling virus particles to their target cells. Despite these damaging effects, some researchers had suggested that amyloids in semen could be beneficial for humans, though it was unclear what these benefits might be. Roan et al. now set out to assess how semen amyloids affect human sperm activity. The results show that semen amyloids bind to damaged sperm cells and immobilize them, which are then quickly cleared away by immune cells. This could ensure that only the fittest sperm cells reach the egg. These findings suggest that amyloids can potentially serve beneficial roles for reproduction. A next step will be to investigate how semen amyloids trap unwanted sperm and how immune cells know when to remove it. More research is needed to investigate if problems in these processes could lead to infertility in men.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2050-084X
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.001
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.002
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.003
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.004
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.005
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.006
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.007
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.008
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.009
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.010
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.011
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.012
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.013
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.014
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.015
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.016
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.017
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.018
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.019
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.020
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.021
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.022
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.023
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.024
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.025
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.026
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.24888.027
Language:
English
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2687154-3