Sperm overview

While comprehensive research and surveys were delayed, or lacking, no significant effort had been put toward the overview of the existing data of emissions, sources, distribution, exposure, and fate of POPs. Lee and Kim (1999) collected published data on concentrations of EDCs for almost all environmental media and human tissues and performed a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between the sperm quality of South Korean... 

As stated above, since capacitation in its truest sense represents the ability of the sperm to fertilize an egg and fertilization is a multistep process, development of simple quantitative assays to measure this extratesticular maturational event have been difficult and must be carefully tested when introduced for use in a new experimental model. In fact, there are no direct assays of capacitation and all of the assays to evaluate this process are based on different definitions. These difficulties, no doubt, are due to our ignorance of the molecular underpinnings of this event, and knowledge gained in this area will be instrumental in the development of new and specific assays. A few representative assay approaches are listed below to provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the more common assays presently in use. 

This overview of the ZP3-dependent acrosome reaction mechanisms underscores areas of progress and major gaps in our understanding. The principle obstacles to understanding this process have historically followed from the fact that sperm are small, polarized cells. As aresult, identification and purification of signaling molecules has been difficult. However, the application of sensitive biophysical and biochemical methods has permitted rapid progress in recent years. 

Abdallah MA-E, Harrad SJ, Ibarra C et al (2008b) Hexabromocyclododecanes in indoor dust from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Environ Sci Technol 42 459-464 Akutsu K, Takatori S, Nozawa S et al (2008) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human serum and sperm quality. B Environ Contam Tox 80 345-350 Alaee M, Arias P, Sjodin A et al (2003) An overview of commercially used brominated flame retardants, their applications, their use patterns in different countries/regions and possible modes of release. Environ Int 29 683-689... 

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