Microenvironment of the male and female reproductive tracts regulate sperm fertility: Impact of viscosity, pH, and osmolality

Abstract

Background: Terminally differentiated mammalian sperm are exposed to gradients of viscosity, pH, and osmolality both in the male and female reproductive tract during their perilous journey to quest the ovum. The complex physicochemical factors play an integral role in preparing sperm for the fertilization process. Objectives: To elucidate the influence of the reproductive tract microenvironment especially viscosity, pH, and osmolality in regulating sperm functional and fertilization competence. Materials and Methods: The data used in this review were collected from the research papers and online databases focusing on the influence of viscosity, pH, and osmolality on sperm function. Discussion: The gradients of viscosity, pH, and osmolality exist across various segments of the male and female reproductive tract. The changes in the viscosity create a physical barrier, pH aid in capacitation and hyperactivation, and the osmotic stress selects a progressive sperm subpopulation for accomplishing fertilization. The sperm function tests are developed based on the concept that the male genotype is the major contributor to the reproductive outcome. However, recent studies demonstrate the significance of sperm genotype-environment interactions that are essentially contributing to reproductive success. Hence, it is imperative to assess the impact of physicochemical stresses and the adaptive ability of the terminally differentiated sperm, which in turn would improve the outcome of the assisted reproductive technologies and male fertility assessment. Conclusion: Elucidating the influence of the reproductive tract microenvironment on sperm function provides newer insights into the procedures that need to be adopted for selecting fertile males for breeding, and ejaculates for the assisted reproductive technologies.