Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases in Male Reproductive Function

Overview

Journal Trends Mol Med

Specialties General Medicine
Molecular Biology

Date 2009 Mar 24

PMID 19303360

Citations 88

Authors

Michelle W M Li

Dolores D Mruk

C Yan Cheng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that male reproductive function is modulated via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. The MAPK cascade is involved in numerous male reproductive processes, including spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and activation, capacitation and acrosome reaction, before fertilization of the oocyte. In this review, we discuss the latest findings in this rapidly developing field regarding the role of MAPK in male reproduction in animal models and in human spermatozoa in vitro. This research will facilitate the design of future studies in humans, although much work is needed before this information can be used to manage male infertility and environmental toxicant-induced testicular injury in men, such as blood-testis-barrier disruption.

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