Mammalian Sperm Motility: Observation and Theory

E.A. Gaffney, H. Gadêlha, D.J. Smith, J.R. Blake, J.C. Kirkman-Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

271 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mammalian spermatozoa motility is a subject of growing importance because of rising human infertility and the possibility of improving animal breeding. We highlight opportunities for fluid and continuum dynamics to provide novel insights concerning the mechanics of these specialized cells, especially during their remarkable journey to the egg. The biological structure of the motile sperm appendage, the flagellum, is described and placed in the context of the mechanics underlying the migration of mammalian sperm through the numerous environments of the female reproductive tract. This process demands certain specific changes to flagellar movement and motility for which further mechanical insight would be valuable, although this requires improved modeling capabilities, particularly to increase our understanding of sperm progression in vivo. We summarize current theoretical studies, highlighting the synergistic combination of imaging and theory in exploring sperm motility, and discuss the challenges for future observational and theoretical studies in understanding the underlying mechanics. © 2011 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)501-528
Number of pages28
JournalAnnual Review of Fluid Mechanics
Volume43
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 21 2011
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): KUK-C1-013-04
Acknowledgements: EAG: This publication is based on work supported in part by Award KUK-C1-013-04, made byKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). H.G. acknowledges the CAPESFoundation for sponsorship under contract grant BEX-4676/06-8. D.J.S. acknowledges the MRCfor support under Special Training Fellowship G0600178; J.C.K.-B. and D.J.S. acknowledgesupport from Birmingham Science City, and previous support from the Wellcome Trust. Theauthors thank Dr. Nik Kapur of the University of Leeds for assistance with rheology and theReproductive Biology and Genetics Group, University of Birmingham, for valuable comments.
This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.

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