SPERM CENTRIOLES AND THEIR DUAL ROLE IN FLAGELLOGENESIS AND CELL CYCLE OF THE ZYGOTE

CHEMES H E,

The centrosome

Humana Press (Springer Science+Business Media LLC)

Lugar: Totowa, NJ, USA; Año: 2012; p. 33 - 48

Abstract: This chapter examines current knowledge on the role of the spermatid centrosome as a basal body that nucleates tubulin for flagellar growth during spermiogenesis, the complex differentiation of pericentriolar material to assemble the connecting piece of mature spermatozoa and its subsequent reconversion into a functional centrosome capable of assembling the zygote mitotic spindle. The complex macromolecular organization and structure of centrioles and pericentriolar material are carefully described and the need of a functional sperm centriolar complement for normal fertilization is stressed. The dual role of the centrosome as a spermatid basal body that generates the sperm flagellum and as the nucleation site for sperm aster formation in the zygote is mirrored in different sperm pathologies in infertile men that are reviewed in detail. Information is discussed on different sperm centriolar and centrosomal anomalies that are involved in failed fertilizations or abnormal development of the embryo. Particular attention is paid to specific centrosomal anomalies of genetic origin that cause dysfunction of the sperm centrosome with abnormal assembly of the sperm aster and failed pronuclear apposition and cleavage of the zygote. The studies summarized  highlight the key role played by sperm centrosomes in flagellogenesis and early zygote development and encourage further investigation on the physiopathology of sperm centrosome-related fertility failures to fully expose the basic mechanisms involved.