Cholesterol is a key molecule in the mammalian physiology of especial particular importance for the reproductive system as it is the common precursor for steroid hormone synthesis.
Cholesterol is also a recognized modulator of sperm functions, not only at the level of gametogenesis. Cholesterol homeostasis regulation is crucial for posttesticular sperm maturation, and imbalanced cholesterol levels may particularly affect these posttesticular events. Metabolic lipid disorders (dyslipidemia) affect male fertility but are most of the time studied from the angle of endocrine/testicular consequences. This review will focus on the deleterious effects of a particular dyslipidemia, i.e., hypercholesterolemia, on posttesticular maturation of mammalian spermatozoa.
Written by:
Whitfield M, Pollet-Villard X, Levy R, Drevet JR1, Saez F. Are you the author?
Team "Mechanisms of post testicular infertility", Génétique Reproduction et Développement, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont Université, 24 Avenue des Landais, BP80026, 63171 Aubière Cedex, France.
Reference: Asian J Androl. 2015 Jun 2. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.155536
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 26067871