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  • Spermiologie
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La gouttelette cytoplasmique résiduelle du spermatozoïde

The cytoplasmic droplet of spermatozoa

Andrologie volume 9, pages 380–386 (1999)Cite this article

Résumé

La présence de cytoplasme résiduel sur le spermatozoïde a été décrite chez l'homme et de nombreux mammifères. Cet article résume les connaissances actuelles concernant les mécanismes d'apparition et les répercussions de cette anomalie sur la fécondité.

L'étiologie de cette affection reste incertaine. Plusieurs facteurs favorisants semblent cependant avoir été identifiés: la séropositivité vis à vis du virus HIV, la consommation de certains toxiques, une concentration insuffisante en fructose ou excessive en testostérone dans le plasma séminal.

Parmi les mécanismes qui ont été évoqués pour expliquer la baisse de fécondité associée à la persistance de cytoplasme résiduel, citons la genèse de dérivés actifs de l'oxygène via la présence d'enzymes cytoplasmiques dans ce résidu. Ces enzymes peuvent être utilisés comme marqueurs biochimiques de cette gouttelette cytoplasmique.

Abstract

The cytoplasmic droplet of spermatozoa is a small outpouching of cytoplasm observed in man and many mammalian species. This cytoplasmic persistance on spermatozoa is of unknown significance. It is associated with infertility and is due to a spermiation or epididymal maturation abnormality. Several etiological mechanisms have been suggested. Seminal fructose and testosterone concentrations have been correlated with the presence of cytoplasmic droples. Creatine kinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzymes in the droplet and products of lipid peroxidation could be used as biochemical markers of this cytological abnormality. There is a significant increase in cytoplasmic droplets in HIV seropositive and in khat addicted subjects.

Deleterious effects on fertility could be due to membrane modifications of the spermatozoa and/or reactive oxygen species generation via enzymatic activities in the residual cytoplasm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole Vétérinaire, Unité Biologie de la Reproduction, CERREC, 69280, Marcy l'étoile Cedex

    P. Guérin, A. Fontbonne & S. Buff

  2. Biologie 406, Unité Biologie du développement embryonnaire pré-implantatoire, INSA, 69621, Villeurbanne Cedex

    P. Guérin & Y. Ménézo

  3. Laboratoire Marcel Mérieux, 1 rue Laborde, 69500, Bron

    Y. Ménézo

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  1. P. Guérin
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  4. Y. Ménézo
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Guérin, P., Fontbonne, A., Buff, S. et al. La gouttelette cytoplasmique résiduelle du spermatozoïde. Androl. 9, 380–386 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03034811

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Basic and Clinical Andrology

ISSN: 2051-4190