Sperm Plasma Membrane Modifications Associated with Fertilization in Mammals

Abstract

This review examines some of the modifications of sperm plasma membrane occurring during fertilization in laboratory mammals. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between biochemical changes (proteolytic processing) in the sperm plasma membrane proteins and post-testicular spatial change (redistribution), since these modifications are closely related to the expression of sperm functions which are sequentially induced in the male and female reproductive tracts. The paper is divided into sections which consider: (1) sperm surface domains and plasma membrane fluidity; (2) modification of sperm plasma membrane functions; (3) sperm surface domains and plasma membrane fluidity; (4) modifications of sperm plasma membrane proteins; (5) modification during capacitation to acrosome reaction; and (6) modulation of sperm plasma membrane proteins by other proteins