Cholesterol efux from sperm: approaches and applications

Abstract

Following ejaculation, sperm appear morphologically mature, but functionally they are inactive. To attain functional capabilityor capacitation in vivo, sperm must reside in the female reproductive tract for a certain period of time before fertilization. In the femalereproductive tract, cholesterol efux from the sperm plasma membrane is considered vital for the initiation of capacitation. A number ofin vitro studies have used biological and nonphysiological means to understand the phenomenon of cholesterol efux and capacitation.In this review, we present a short overview of the role of cholesterol efux in regulating sperm capacitation using various agents. Thisreview provides insight to researchers designing new procedures for sperm preparation to be used in assisted reproductive technology.